G^^ miiimiM
^ 3 1833 00096 8450
Gc 977.201 T4SDE v. 2
DeHart, Richard P. 1832-
1918,
Past amd freseht of-
Tippecanoe County, Indiana
PAST AND PRRSF.NT
OF
TIPPECANOE COUNTY
INDIANA
ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME II
B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY, PUBLISHERS
'^'•^ INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA
1 909
:21599
INDEX
Abdon, Joseph 751
Abdon, Mary Jane "51
Alexander, Robert 903
Amstutz, William A 113:!
Anderson, William H 1076
Andre, Adam W lOGS
Ankeny, Charles Howard 543
Arnett, Arett C 765
Arnold. Alba G 637
Arthur. Joseph Charles 757
B
Baer, Lena M 1152
Baird, Samuel Probasco 56S
Baird, Zebulon 560
Baker. Alvin Cornelius 1046
Baker, Edward Elmore 10S2
Baker, Moses 735
Balentine, Abram 724
Ball, James D 1070
Ball, Cyrus 626
Bals, Asa C 1208
Balser, John 829
Baines, Thomas Jefferson 572
Bartholomew, John C 1156
Bartholomew, William 1150
Bart let t, Joseph Delmar 646
Bauer, Thomas 631
Baugher, Franklin George 7G2
Bausman, Andrew 1048
Beaucond, Joseph Benjamin 764
Bennett. William 823
Bergquist, Charles 781
Blistain, Joseph 549
Bohan, George W 822
Born, Samuel 736
Boswell. Edwin 821
Bradshaw, Charles H 591
Briney, Alexander 879
Brockenbrough, Brown 926
Brommer, John C 1043
Brown. Louis 1094
Bruce, George Lawson 662
Buck, Milton 1161
Buck, Samuel 1134
Burditt, Daniel 843
Burditt, Nancy 843
Burkhalter, William Henry 1021
Hurley, John F 759
Burley , Mary A 759
Burt, Thomas William 608
Bush, John Stevens 784
Bush, Ezra 7S5
Bush, William 784
Butler, William F 912
Byers. Parker A 681
Byers, William D 1216
Byrne, Michael J 75G
C
Caldwell. Albert 731
Caldwell. James H 730
Caldwell, James Lindsey 730
Campbell, John 1093
Campbell, William S 1060
Cann, John William 782
Carter, James 1116
Carter, Robert 1116
Cartmill, David 997
Chamberlin, David J 605
Chamberlin, John E 605
Chew, Joshua 901
Christie. George Irving 953
Clawson, Louis 1040
Clayton. Mrs. Emeline 695
Clayton. Thomas J 695
Cleaver. Charles H 1136
Cochel, Wilber A 1054
Combs, James P 835
Combs, Sarah P 83G
•Conarroe, Thomas Xewell 978
Cones, Francis Marion 1121
Conn, Asahel B 98G
Conrad, E. Parker 1074
Coulter. Stanley 917
Coyner, Martin P 971
Crist, Charles Marsteller 999
Crouch, Jeptha 1015
Crouse. Alexander Hamilton CSo
Crouse, .lohn W nSS
Crouse, Simeon 587
Crouse, William 0 585
Cunningham. .lohn R lt)42
D
Davidson, Edward C 723
Davidson, Judah 619
Davidson. Robert P G18
Davisson, William C 97(i
Deibert, Jeremiah M 946
DeLong, Mannow Albert 1096
Dienhart. Jacob 919
Doolittle, W. E 887
Dorner, Frederick 565
Downs, Andrew J 112S
Dryer, Lyman Lewis 803
Dryfus. Ferdinand 937
Dry f us. Leopold S8S
Duncan Electric Mant'g. Co 1214
B
Eckhart, Balsar 1065
Etkhart. John C 1063
Edwards, Jeremiah 832
Ehresman, John H 1142
Elliott, David 1053
Elliott. Samuel Wilson 892
Ellis, Joseph 979
Ellis, Thomas 1084
Ellis, Thomas P 980
Erb, Frederick Henry. Jr 67G
Evans. Herman H 771
Everett, Frank B 981
F
Feldt. August G 1 ISG
Field, Thomas W 691
Fisher, Martin L 948
Fisher. William J 808
Flark. Hugh 580
Flack. John 1120
Flanagan, Daniel P 710
Flupgel, Ernst J 1114
Fokkemer. Charles V 649
Foreman. Charles Preston 942
Foresman. Bennett 1211
Foresman. John P C93
Foresman. William B 914
Fottprall, B. F 1087
Fowler Family 116u
Fowler, James M 1171
Frazer. Darius H 718
Fretz, Daniel B 787
G
Gagen, John P 815
Gay, James Madison 945
Gay. John W 776
Gay, Samuel 776
Gaylord, Harrison 904
Gladden Family 1193
Gladden. Richard 1194
Gladden. William 1194
Gladden, William. Jr 1195
Glaze, William 939
Gobat, Frederick August 860
Golden, Michael Joseph 1059
Goldsberry, Peter Putnam 1090
Goldsmith. Oliver C 844
Goodrich. Silas 0 1197
Gray, M. M 1069
Gi eenburg, William F 1189
Grubb, Lewis S 1187
Gude. William G 906
H
Hammond. Edwin P 632
Hanna.gan. Stephen J 861
Harding. Charles Francis 1154
Harshman. Isaiah 944
Hassel. Conrad 830
Hawk. Daniel 839
Haywood, Enoch Francis 1209
Haywood. George Price 533
Henderson. Charles Haskell 696
Henderson. Jones 696
Herriman. William. Jr 930
Hight, Robert Foster 584
Hill, Aaron S 749
Hill. John Allen 749
Hinea, Charles Benjamin 648
Hogan, Thomas W C9S
Hooker, Brainard G(j4
Hooker, Henry Cl4
Howell, Robert Henry 988
Hubertz, Edward 1127
Hudlow, William B 92U
Hunziker, Otto P 1222
Hurst, James 1131
J
Jackson, Daniel 9liii
Jackson, Ferdinand Cortez 11(18
Jackson, Sylvester H 773
Jackson, William Monholan 563
Jacobs, Duane D 84ti
Jamison, Albert R 708
Jamison, Hugh Seabaugh 570
Jester, Lewis X 880
Jones, William J., Jr 957
Jones, William Lyman 983
Justice, Xoah 1130
K
Kern, Frank D 91G
Kienly, Andrew 898
Kile, John P 1078
Kinimel, Frank 70G
Kinimel, John 70G
Kimmel. Louis 70G
King, Warren R 628
Koonse, Jeremiah Philip 741
Koonse, Virginia P 742
Kurtz, Charles 933
L
Lafayette Conservatory ot Music... 1152
Lairy, M. M 720
Latta, William C 951
Lee, George W 1089
LeGalley . Myron E 722
Lehnert, Michael 1066
Lentz. Moses A 1032
Lesley, Calvin 1118
Lesley, Daniel 1118
Lewis, James D 114G
Lewis, Robert 1147
Lofland, William Alfred 598
Lucas, William Kent C04
Ludy, Llewellyn V 1058
Lugar, Thomas Wilson 054
Lugar, William G54
Lyle, Thomas C80
Lyle, Urban A 680
Lyman, Edwin B 1205
Lyman, Harry B 1203
Mc
MeCabe, James Earl 10C2
MeCabe, Theodore 1202
McClure, Lawrence James 1002
McCorkle, Charles A 816
McCorkle, John W 989
McCormick, Owen 1141
McCormick, Thomas Jefferson 11U9
McCormick, William 1139
McCoy, John 1192
McCoy, Moraine 1191
McDill, Charles 9G2
McGrath. Robert Henry 766
McKee, Thomas G 760
McMahan. Adah 767
McMillin. John K 1182
M
Macak, Henry 1045
MacMullan, John W. T 1206
Madden, Joseph 1088
Marks, Thomas M 1019
Masters. James 1145
Masters, William G 1145
May, Jacob 837
Mayfield, A. M 1196
Meharry, Greenleaf Xorton 969
Mertz, Christian GOl
Meyer, Frederick 993
Mills, Daniel 806
Mitchell, John W 610
Mitchell, Josephine M 786
Mitchell, Samuel L 928
Mitchell, William C 777
Moflitt, William Robinson 659
Moore, Sarah A 834
Moore, Thomas Maxwell 876
Moore, William H 834
Moore, William H. H 761
Morehouse. Joseph Jennings 1105
Morehouse, Levi J 1106
Morgan. Lee Harry 5G2
Motter, Thomas Seymour 1010
Murdock, Charles 737
Murdofk, Frederick 881
Murdock, James 529
Murdock, John 882
Murdock, Samuel 531
Murdock, William F 88G
Murdock. William T 882
Myers, Amos 994
X
Naylor, Isaac 90
Neumann, Julius SC7
.Newhard, Simon Peter 1028
Newman, Christopher Columbus.... 824
Newman, John H 824
Newton, Doc 1 728
Nisley, Oliver Morton Co2
O
Oglesbay . George H 9(i5
Oglesbay, John P 965
Ohl. Charles W '. 109S
P
Parker, Henry Arnold SIO
Parks, George Daniel 827
Parlon, Thomas 9(;7
Paul, Alfred 804
Paul, Monford .• . 799
Paul. Reuben 799, 805
Peirce, Charles H 54S
Peirce, Martin Luther 540
Peirce, Oliver Webster OSi;
Peterson, Jonas A 930
Pfrommer, George J 595
Phillips, Morris Winfield 590
Potter. William S 725
Q
Quaintance, Ellis 9S4
R
Hausch, Casper 992
Rt'dinbo. John C F li:;s
Reeves. James L 893
Reeves, William 893
Rentschler, Michael 1037
Reser, Alva O G72
Reser, Harvey 960
Reule, Fred 754
Roberts. William A 574
Rochester. William King 712
Rosebery, William J 714
Rosser. John 1151
Rosser. Walter C 1151
S
Sample, Henry Taylor CS8
Sample. Robert W 592
Sattler, John 871
Sattler, George Henry 8C9
Schnaible, John 5(i7
Schnaible, Matt 582
Schnaible, Michael 589
Schultz, Anton 820
Schultz, Charles Henry 9G1
Schultz-Boswell Drug Company 820
Schumm. George Michael 742
Sense. Harry C 704
Sharpe, Burton Crouse 1030
Shaw, James B C78
Shearman, Albert Eugene 745
Shearman. Willett H 74G
Shelby, George B 803
Sheltmire, William 818
Shoup, A. W 1 104
Simison, Barney 1 184
Simison, David Parker 1024
Simison. Denny Boyd 1008
Simison, John Franklin 973
Simms, Daniel W 040
Skinner, John Harrison 1079
Skinner, John W 752
Slipher, David 1218
Smith, Arthur Bessey 1004
Smith, Benjamin Wilson S4S
Smith. W'illiam Werden 789
Smock. Richard M 1174
Snideman. Harry Madison OC<S
Snoddy, Alfred Nevin 1050
Stallard, Charles T 702
Stallard, Jacob M 700
Stallard, Samuel Thomas C99
Stiuitiehl. Allen 1073
Stanfield Family 1072
Stanfield. Samuel B 107:^
Steele, William Wellington 90S
Stein. John A 403
Stein, Mrs. Virginia 403
Sterrett, Joseph C 1163
Stewart, Joseph Xorris f>9o
Stillwell, William F 600
Stingle, James M ()22
Stone, Winthrop Ellsworth 531)
Stuart, Charles B 1199
Stuart, William Vaughn 612
Sullivan, Dennis T 934
Swisher, John B 1132
Swltzer, George W SOO
T
Taylor, Bennett 635
Taylor, Henry 616
Taylor, Jacob M 1007
Terry, Oliver P 1017
Test, Erastus 103S
Throckmorton, George K 770
Throckmorton. Ora E 1160
Titus, Harry Edward 670
Tower, E. A 115S
Towsley, Schuyler A 593
Troop, James 949
Tull. Luther 1123
Turner, Charles 940
V
Van Xatta, Aaron S74
Van Xatta, Job 644
Van Natta. Job Haigh 555
Van Xatta. J. Lynn 644
Vater. Septimius 864
Va wter. Everett B 921
Vawter. Philemon C 923
Vayou, E. E 1064
Vess. Filander Taylor 768
Vinton. Henry Heath 1173
Vyverberg. K. T 703
W
Wabash Valley Sanitarium and
Training School 1177
Wagoner, Robert Henry 1075
Walker, William Simpson 686
Wallace, Aaron 872
Wallace, James Bee 877
Wallace Machine and Foundry Co..' 578
Wallace, William 576
Walter, William J 1099
Ware, William H 975
Warner, John W 775
Washburn, Samuel S 624
Washburn, William Sanford 1056
Waters, Elmer Ritchey 1100
Weaver, Peter 1026
Weaver, William Otis 739
Webster, John Colbert 673
Welch, Amos 744
Westfall, Arthur Beaver 690
Wetherill, Richard B 1002
Whalen, John W 932
Whalen, Thomas H 780
Wiancko, Alfred T 955
Wiggins, Randolph 1035
Williams, Charles F 639
Williams, Robert 1212
Wilson, James 841
Wilson. Moses F 840
Wilson, William C 544
Winter, George 615
Wise, Joseph 1126
Wolf, Joseph 1111
Wood, William R 552
Wooden Railroad 1222
Y
Yeagy, William W 910
Yost. Allen A 1143
Yost, William H 1144
Young, William W 896
Z
Zimmerman, John 1148
J^/^i^<2'-Z^'Z>Z^^ ^^^Hy^-'C^^t^C^t^-ti^^
PAST AND PRESENT
OF
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND.
JAMES MURDOCK.
One of the most conspicuous figures ever connected with the business
interests of Tippecanoe and other counties of northern Indiana was the late
James Murdock, of Lafayette, who for a number of years was a leader in
enterprises which tended greatly to the material progress of his city, county
and state. He was long an influential factor in promoting large and important
undertakings and such was the success with which his various efforts were
crowned that his name is still suggestive of enterprises which bespeak the clear
brain, mature judgment and master mind of the natural leader who moved
among his fellows as one born to command. James Murdock was an Ameri-
can by adoption, but none the less a loyal citizen of the country which he
elected to be his home, and an ardent admirer and earnest supporter of free
institutions under which he reaped success such as few attain, and attained to
positions of honor and trust which none but men of a high order of intellect
are capable of filling. Born in the county of Sligo, Ireland, in the year 1837,
he inherited from his sturdy ancestors the sterling qualities of head and
heart for which his nationality has ever been distinguished, and while still
young gave evidence of those powers of mind which result in well-rounded
character and a natural aptitude for something above the ordinary in the
choice of a profession or calling. His father, John Murdock, was a Scotch-
man by birth, and his mother, who bore the maiden name of Sabina Kelly,
was born and reared on the Emerald Isle. These parents lived on a farm
in Ireland until 1848, when they emigrated to Canada, thence in 1830 removed
to New York, and still later changed their abode to Ohio, where they resided
for a limited period, or until moving to Wayne countv, Indiana, where John
(34)
530 PAST AND PRESENT
Murdock's death occurred in 1853; ^'s widow survived him about a quarter
of a century and departed this hfe at Lafayette in 1878, after reaching a ripe
old age.
James Murdock spent the years of his childhood on the homestead in his
native county and was indebted to such limited training as the schools of the
neighborhood afforded for his preliminary education. Coming to America
in his eleventh year, he attended for some time night schools in Canada and
the United States, and in 1853, after the death of his father, he started out
to make his own way by working at any kind of employment he could find.
Coming to Lafayette that year, he worked for a while in a brickyard, drove a
team for some months, and later in partnership with his brother engaged in
farming on a small scale, renting for the purpose the river bottoms near the
city, but meeting with only fair success in the venture. Not satisfied with
his earnings as a tiller of the soil, he discontinued farming and in 1859
embarked in the grocery and produce business at Lafayette, which he con-
tinued for twenty years with encouraging financial success. In the mean-
time Mr. Murdock turned his attention to various other lines of enterprise,
such as the building of bridges, taking contracts for the construction of gravel
roads, railroads and other public work, which he carried on in connection
with his mercantile interests and which from the beginning proved success-
ful beyond his expectations. He also manifested an active interest in public
afifairs, and after serving a term as township trustee was elected sheriflf of
Tippecanoe county, the duties of which office he discharged with credit to
himself and to the satisfaction of the people, proving in this as in other posi-
tions which he held from time to time, a capable and thoroughly trustworthy
public servant.
In 1879, JNIr. Murdock was appointed warden of the State Prison at
Michigan City, and held the position for a period of twelve years, during
which time he left nothing undone for the good of the institution and the
welfare of the inmates, and ere resigning the office the Northern Indiana
Penitentiary not only ranked among the best regulated prisons in the United
States, but was pronounced by competent judges a model of its kind. Shortly
after the discovery of natural gas in Indiana, he was among the first to develop
and exploit the industry. Associated with a number of business men of Lafay-
ette and Chicago, he took a leading part in organizing the Citizens' Natural
Gas Company, of which he was elected president, and later he assisted in
organizing several other natural and artificial gas companies in Indiana and
Ohio, the success of which was largely due to his interest and capable manage-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 53 1
ment. He served some years as president of the Indiana School Book Com-
pany, which was organized in 1888, and in 1890 he was one of the organizers
of the Merchants' National Bank of Lafayette, of which he was made the
chief executive official. In addition to the above enterprises he was identified
with various other local industries, besides having large and valuable farm-
ing and livestock interests in dififerent parts of Tippecanoe county, from which
he derived no small share of the liberal income of which he was the recipient.
Of broad mind and liberal tendencies, he took large views of men and things,
was calculated by nature and training for important undertakings and as a
leader in the various enterprises with which identified, he proved worthy
of every trust reposed in him, and discharged his duties with such conscientious
fidelity that no suspicion of dishonor was ever attached to his name. His was
indeed an active and useful life ; his influence in promoting the business inter-
ests and material advancement of his own and other cities of northern Indiana
was greater perhaps than that of any of his contemporaries. One of the notable
men of his day and generation, he laid broad and deep the foundation upon
which the future prosperity of his city and county very largely depends, and
that his labors are destined to constitute a monument to his memory, more
enduring than marble or granite or bronze, is the belief of all who knew and
were familiar with his enterprises and achievements.
Mr. Murdock was married July 4, i860, to Miss Joanna Bourk, who
bore him ten children, only three of whom survive, viz. : Charles and Sam-
uel, sketches of whom appear elsewhere in these pages, and a daughter Mary,
who is single and lives at the family home in Lafayette. Mrs. Murdock died
October 29, 1891, and on November 27, 1908, James Murdock finished his
life work and went to his reward, his death being' deeply regretted by the
people among whom he had so long lived and wrought.
Samuel Murdock, son of James and Joanna (Bourk) Murdock, was
born in Lafayette, Indiana, June 11, 1868, and attended during the years of
his childhood and youth St. Mary's parochial school, where he received quite
a thorough educational discipline. In 1879, when his father became a warden
of the Northern Prison, he entered Notre Dame University, where in due time
he completed a full course in civil engineering, and some years later he was
made superintendent of the street car system of Michigan City, which position
he held from 1887 to 1888 inclusive, resigning in the latter year to become
secretary of the Citizens' Natural Gas Company of Lafayette. Mr. Murdock
entered upon the duties of the latter office in Februar)^ 1889, and it was dur-
ing his incumbency that gas was piped from the central Indiana fields to La-
532 PAST AND PRESENT
fayette. up lo that time the largest and most important enterprise of the kind in
the state. Subsequently the above company was merged into the Lafayette
Gas Company, which took over both the Citizens' Natural Gas Company and
the Lafayette Artificial Gas Company, also the Electric Light Company.
Since the reorganization referred to in the preceding sentence, the Lafayette
Gas Company has been merged into the Indiana Lighting Company, which
operates in the following cities of this state: Peru, Wabash, Ft. Wayne,
Frankfort and Lebanon, also a number of places in Ohio, including Lima, St.
Mary's, Wapakoneta, Ft. Recovery, Greenville and Celina, of which large
and important enterprises Samuel Murdock is secretary and general manager.
About the year 1898, Mr. Murdock and his brother Charles became inter-
ested in traction lines and now have extensive holdings in a number of such
properties, the subject being a director in the Ft. Wayne & Wabash Valley,
Evansville & Southern Indiana, and the Chicago, South Bend & Northern
Indiana traction companies, being secretary of the company last named, also
a director of the Monon railway.
From the foregoing it will be perceived that Mr. Murdock is a man of
action as well as ability, and that he has discharged worthily the various
important trusts with which he has been honored is demonstrated by the con-
tinued success of the enterprises with which he is identified. He is essentially
a busy man, and though afifable in his relations with others, companionable
to a marked degree and fond of congenial company, he long since decided to
act upon the motto, "Time is money. I have neither to spend save in the
prosecution of my business interests." In person he is tall and commanding,
fully six feet in height, with broad shoulders, well knit frame — in fine, just
such a man to engage in large undertakings and carry to successful conclusion
anything to which he may address his talents. Possessing executive ability
of a high order, he manages with apparent ease what the majority of men
would find burdensome, and being systematic in all he does, his labors and
responsibilities, although great, cause him little concern.
Mr. Murdock's domestic life dates from November 6, 1890, when he was
united in marriage with Addie Gordon, of Elkhart, Indiana, daughter of
Alexander Gordon, of that city, the union being blessed with three children,
James Gordon, Alexander Gordon and Alice Gordon Murdock. In his
religious faith Mr. Alurdock is a Catholic, belonging to St. Mary's church,
Lafayette, and in politics he is a Democrat, but not a partisan nor an aspirant
for public honors. He and his wife move in the best society circles of their
city, and those who know them best speak in the highest praise of their many
sterling qualities.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 533
GEORGE PRICE HAYWOOD.
The Haywood family has long been prominent in the affairs of Tippe-
canoe county, materially, politically and socially, having come here in the
pioneer days, from which time to the present no member has by word or
deed dimmed the luster of an honored escutcheon. A worthy and well-known
representative of this fine old family is George Price Haywood, an attorney
of Lafayette, whose name needs no introduction to the people of this locality.
He was born on a farm in the southern part of Tippecanoe county, December
15, 1852, the son of Henry and Martha (Sherwood) Haywood, the former
a native of Trenton, New Jersey, and the latter of North Carolina. Henry
Haywood was reared in Greene county, Ohio, and early turned his attention
to farming, which he followed all his life. He came to Tippecanoe county
when a young man, having married in Montgomery county, Indiana,
where he lived a short time. It was in 1833, soon after his marriage,
that he came to Tippecanoe county, being among the early settlers. He be-
came a prosperous . farmer. He established a good home, and lived here
the remainder of his life, dying at the age of seventy-nine years in 1891, his
wife having preceded him to the silent land in 1877, when fiftj'-five years of
age. Mr. Haywood was a man of many fine traits of character. The Hay-
woods came to America from England in the colonial days. The Sherwoods
were also of English descent, grandfather Sherwood having been a pioneer
in Tippecanoe county. He later moved to Marion county, Iowa, in which
state he died, having reached a very old age.
George P. Haywood was the seventh child in order of birth in a family
of eleven children, eight of whom grew to maturity. Two brothers, Thomas
and Curtis D., served in the Union army, in Indiana regiments. The former
is still living in Lafayette, while the latter is deceased.
Two other brothers are now living, Enoch F., a landowner in Tippecanoe
county, who lives in Lafayette, Indiana, and Benjamin S., a minister of the
Methodist Episcopal church who, at the present time, is the superintendent of
the church and its affairs in Porto Rico.
George P. Haywood was reared on a farm, where he laid the foundation
for a robust manhood and learned many lessons which have helped to mould
his subsequent career. He attended the district schools until he was sixteen
years old, then entered the academy at Green Hill, where he remained two
years, and later took a scientific course at Valparaiso University, then known
534
PAST .\ND PRESENT
as the Northern Indiana Normal. He was graduated from the last named
institution in 1876.
Mr. Haywood started in life as a teacher, which profession iie followed
most of the time for eight years, having begun when nineteen years old, but
the law had its attractions for him, and in 1877 he began studying for a
career as an attorney with Bartholomew & Smith at Valparaiso He taught
school in the meantime until 1880, in which year he was admitted to the bar
in Lafayette. After this he continued the study of law for two years in the
ofifice of G. O. & A. O. Behm. In the spring of 1882 he formed a partner-
ship with W. F. Bechtel, the firm being known as Bechtel & Haywood, which
continued until the fall of 1884, after which he continued alone in the practice
of the law until ]\Iarch i, 1896, when he formed a partnership with Charles
A. Burnett, under the firm name of Haywood & Burnett, which partnership
has continued until the present time. His practice has steadily grown from
the first, and he is now rated as one of the leading attorneys in a community
long noted for the high order of its legal talent, the present firm of which
Mr. Haywood is a member being an especially strong one. and having a
clientele second to none in the county.
In his political relations Mr. Haywood is a Republican, having long
taken a very active interest in the party's affairs until he has become a leader,
his advice and counsel often being sought by local politicians and office seekers.
In 1882. Mr. Haywood was a candidate for the nomination for prosecuting
attorney, but was defeated. In 1884, he was again defeated for the nomina-
tion for the same office; but in 1886 he was successful in securing the nomina-
tion, and was elected, taking charge of the office November i. 1887. In the
fall of the following year he was re-nominated and re-elected, ably serving
two terms of two years each, his tenure of office ending on November 7, 1891.
According to his constituents, the office never had a more painstaking and
loyal exponent. During those four years there were seven murder cases, and
six convictions were secured. The one failure was a second trial, having
received a life sentence previously. The most noted case was the one known
as the Pettit case, in which a IMethodist minister was charged and convicted
of poisoning his wife by strychnine. He was tried on a change of venue
from Tippecanoe to Montgomery county in 1890. The trial lasted six weeks.
Hon. A. B. Anderson, the present United States district judge, of Indian-
apolis, was the prosecuting attorney of Montgomery county at that time and
assisted in the prosecution.
In the spring of 1892 Mr. Haywood was nominated by the Republican
state convention as reporter of the supreme court, but he met defeat with the
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 535
balance of the state ticket in the election of that year. In the spring of 1894
he was appointed city attorney by the city council of Lafayette, and was re-
appointed from time to time, holding this office for a period of twelve years,
handling its affairs in such a manner as to reflect credit upon his natural ability
as an able and far-seeing attorney, and at the same time being of incalculable
good to the city, his record being one of which anyone might be justly proud.
He was called upon to serve as chairman of the Republican county central
committee, which he did for a period of two years, 1894 and 1895, when he
won the hearty approval of all concerned for his conscientious work in behalf
of the Republican ticket.
Mr. Haywood is a stockholder and vice-president of the Burt-Haywood
Printing Company, publishers of the Lafayette Daily and Weekly Journal,
the plant being a very extensive and complete one, equipped with modern ap-
pliances for doing- all kinds of up-to-date publishing. The Journal wields a
strong influence in the moulding of public opinion in this part of the state.
On October i, 1879, occurred the wedding of Mr. Haywood to Mary
Marshall, at Montmorenci, this county. Mrs. Haywood is a native of Spring-
field. Ohio, a talented and cultured lady, who has been a favorite in Lafayette
social circles since coming here. She is the daughter of Solomon and Mary
J. ( Wright) Marshall, the former an honored and influential resident of
Tippecanoe county, the latter deceased. The beautiful home of Mr. and Mrs.
Haywood has been blessed by the birth of three children, namely : Leona, the
wife of Roy E. Adams, of Indianapolis, was a student at Smith University,
one of the most noted institutions for voung ladies in the east; Marshall E.,
who is the secretary and treasurer of the Burt-Haywood Printing Company,
graduated from Princeton L'niversity in the class of 1907: George P.. Jr., is a
student at Princeton.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Haywood is a member of Tippecanoe
Lodge, No. 492, Free and Accepted Masons ; Knights Templar Commandery,
No. 3, Lafayette: Scottish Rite, and the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of
the Mystic Shrine, at Indianapolis; he also belongs to the Benevolent and
Protective Order of Elks at Lafayette. ]\Irs. Haywood is a member of the
Trinity Methodist Episcopal church, and is very active and influential in
church and charitable work in tlie city.
In all the relations of life JMr. Haywood has been true to every trust
reposed in him and he takes first rank among the representative, loyal, public-
spirited and broad-minded citizens of Tippecanoe county, where lie is known
and respected by all classes, rightly deserving- the high esteem in which lie is
536 PAST ,\ND PRESENT
held, although he is himself of a very unostentatious nature, straightforward
and genial. One of the best things that can be said of any man can be
said of Mr. Haywood, that is. that he is always loyal and true to his
friends.
WINTHROP ELLSWORTH STOXE. Ph. D.. LL. D.
Winthrop Ellsworth Stone, Ph. D., LL. D., president of Purdue
University and distinctively one of the eminent educators of his day, is a
native of New England and an honorable representative of one of the oldest
families in that section of the Union, being of the tenth generation in descent
from Simon Stone, who immigrated to the New World in 1630 and located
at Cambridge. Massachusetts. This ancestor, who was one of the first promi-
nent settlers of Massachusetts Bay Colony, early became interested in the
development and growth of the country and being a man of sound practical
intelligence and -much more than ordinary force, it was not long until he rose
to a position of prominence and influence among the people, and in various
ways rendered efficient service in directing their affairs. Lauson Stone, the
Doctor's grandfather, was a native of Chesterfield, New Hampshire, and by
occupation a farmer. He spent the greater part of his life at or near the place
of his birth, but for many years has been sleeping the sleep of the just in the
old cemetery at Chesterfield, where also reposes the dust of a number of his
ancestors, as the family lived for several generations in that old historic
town.
Among the children of Lauson Stone was a son by the name of Frederick
L.. whose birth occurred at the ancestral home in Chesterfield, New Hamp-
shire, and who, in his young manhood, contracted a marriage with Anna But-
ler, of the same place. Like many of his antecedents, Frederick Stone became
a tiller of the soil, which vocation he f^jllowed in his native commonwealth
for a number of years, and then removed to Amherst. ^lassachusetts. where
he and his good wife are now living in honorable retirement. Literesting to
a marked degree were many of the sterling characteristics of the family,
and he, too, achieved considerable local distinction, and during the years
of his prime was one of the leading Republicans of the community. Fred-
erick L. and Anna Stone have always been held in high esteem in their differ-
ent places of residence. Imbued with the New England idea of education, they
spared no pains nor expense in providing the most thorough intellectual dis-
cipline obtainable for their children, all four of whom, three sons and one
WINTHROP ELLSWORTH STONE, PH.D., LL. D.
TRESIIIKXT ITRDIK I'MVERSITV.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 537
daughter, are college graduates and filling honorable stations in life, Winthrop
Ellsworth, the oldest, achieving distinction as an educator and Harlan, a
younger brother, being a member of one of the leading law firms of New
York city.
Dr. Winthrop Ellsworth Stone was born in the old town of Chester-
field, New Hampshire, June 12, 1862, and spent his early life pretty much
after the manner of the majority of New England lads. During the summer
months his employments were such as are common to farmer boys, and when
not at work in the fields he attended the public schools, where he made rapid
advancement in his studies, and in due time gave promise of the intellectual
development for which he afterwards became noted. To these early years
under the tutelage of parents whose highest ambition was to engraft upon
the minds and hearts of their children such principles as would insure careers
of usefulness. Dr. Stone is largely indebted for the integrity of character and
honorable ambition that pre-eminently distinguish him not only in his pro-
fession, but as a citizen in every walk of life. The frugalities of the farm-
er's home, the chaste purity of its influence, the fields, the forest, the orchard
and meadow, hill and dell — all the wealth and beauty that nature spreads out
with lavish hands — were teachers whose lessons he never forgot. It was
amidst such scenes and surroundings that the early years of the future edu-
cator were spent and their influence was such that he is still a lover of nature
and a student of its mysteries.
Applying himself closely to his studies, young Stone, at the age of six-
teen, was sufficiently advanced to take a higher grade of work, accordingly
in 1878 he entered Massachusetts Agricultural College at Amherst, which he
attended during the four years ensuing, when he was graduated with an
honorable record as a student. Receiving his degree of Bachelor of Science
in 1882, he spent the following two years as scientific assistant and observer
on a private experimental farm, which had been established some time before
at Mountainville, New York, by a wealthy man desirous of arousing an inter-
est in advanced methods of agriculture. At the expiration of the period indi-
cated, he returned to Massachusetts and after devoting the succeeding two
years to scientific study in the chemical laboratory of Massachusetts Agricul-
tural College, went abroad in 1886, from which time until 1888, inclusive, he
studied chemistry in the University of Goettingen. Germany, receiving from
that institution the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the latter year.
Returning to the United States upon the completion of his course, Doctor
Stone, in August of the same year, entered upon his duties as chemist to the
experimental station of the University of Tennessee, to which position he had
been appointed a few months previously and which he continued to fill with
538 PAST AND PRESENT
ability and credit until his resignation one year later to become professor of
chemistry in Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana. Doctor Stone's repu-
tation as a chemist had preceded him to the latter institution and upon the
beginning of his work, in October, 1889, he was receixed by officials and pro-
fessors as well as students with every mark of approbation and confidence.
Fortified with superior professional training under some of the most dis-
tinguished scientists of Europe, he infused new life into his department, popu-
larized the study of chemistry and was soon surrounded by a large number of
enthusiastic students, who, profiting by his instructions, in due time carried
their knowledge to other fields, where many of them are now filling places of
honor and usefulness in various lines of industry'. Doctor Stone filled the
chair of chemistry with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the officials
of the university and all others concerned until June, 1900. in the meantime,
1892, being appointed vice-president of the institution, which position he held
in connection with his other work for several j-ears, discharging his official
duties with the same interest he manifested in the class-room, and proving an
influential factor in attracting students and putting Purdue on the way to
become what it has since become, one of the most thorough and popular tech-
nical schools in the West. During the absence of President Smart, in 1899,
he was acting president, and when it became necessary to appoint a successor
to the former gentleman. Doctor Stone, appearing to meet every requirement
of the position and being the unanimous choice of the board, was duly chosen
president in July, 1900. and has since held the place, discharging his official
functions with the best interests of the university in view and forging rapidly
to the front among the distinguished educators not only of Indiana but of the
country at large.
Dr. Stone has been identified with Purdue for a period of twenty years,
ten as a member of the faculty, and ten as chief executive of the institution.
While professor of chemistry, he did much scientific work, made many impor-
tant researches and discoveries, and gave the results of his investigations to
the world in a number of scholarly papers and treatises, published in this
country and in various periodicals abroad. As an instructor he easily ranked
among the most thorough and efficient in the land and, as already indicated,
students from his department have achieved distinction as teachers, and in
various other lines of usefulness, the demand for their services attesting the
thoroughness of their training and their ability to fill worthily the positions
to which they have been called. As a faculty member, he was active in the work
of committees, being for several years chairman of the committee on athletics,
and in this connection had much to do with the organization of the Inter-
collegiate -Athletic Conference, which has had an important bearing and
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 539
influence on athletics not only in western colleges and universities but
wherever such organizations were in existence.
The growth of Purdue since Doctor Stone became president is the high-
est testimonial that could possibly be paid to his ability and foresight as an
executive and to his eminent standing as a broad-minded, scholarly and enter-
prising educator. Since taking charge of the responsible position which he
now so worthily holds and so signally honors, the advancement of the uni-
versity has kept pace with the leading institutions of the kind in the United
States, the attendance increasing from eight hundred and forty-nine in 1900
to one thousand, nine hundred and thirty-six in 1909, the number and capacity
of the buildings having more than doubled during the interim, while the value
of the university property has advanced from seven hundred two thousand
dollars to one million, two hundred and eighty-five thousand dollars, and
the annual income, which was about one hundred twenty-five thousand
dollars the former year, now amounts to considerably in excess of four hun-
dred thirty thousand dollars. The faculty, which formerly numbered sixty-
five professors and instructors, now contains the names of one hundred and
fifty, among whom are some of the leading educators of the country, in their
special lines of work, no pains nor expense being spared in securing the best
ability obtainable in order to keep the institution at the high standard to which
it has been raised since the present administration has directed and controlled
its policies and affairs. As a technical school, admittedly the equal of the
best in the land, its work is so thorough and its reputation so high that hun-
dreds of students are attracted to its walls every year from other and distant
states, satisfied that a degree from the institution affords the best and surest
passport to a successful and honorable career in this world of industry or
scholarship.
Doctor Stone has always stood for the highest grade of work in the class-
room. Economy in the use of the public funds and thoroughness in all mat-
ters coming within the sphere of his authority. He exercises the greatest
care over the buildings and grounds, looks after the comfort and welfare of
students, and, being proud of the university and jealous of its good name and
honorable reputation, it is easily understood why he enjoys such great pop-
ularity with all connected with the institution, and is so well and favorably
known in educational circles throughout the country. Though still a young
man, he has achieved success such as few attain, but not satisfied with past
results, he is pressing forward to still wider fields and higher honors, altliough
his place among the eminent men of his day and generation is secure for all
time to come. Doctor Stone has ever pursued a straightforward course and
his manly, independent spirit commands fnr him universal approbatinn. He
540 PAST AND PRESEXT
has proven himself equal to every emergency in which he has been placed
and to every position with which honored, and as a ripe scholar and gentleman
of cultivated tastes and high ideals he fills a large place in the public view
and enjoys to a marked degree the esteem and confidence of all with whom
he comes into contact. In addition to his professional duties, he served one
term as chairman of the school board of West Lafayette and for a number of
years has been identified with the American Association of Agricultural Col-
leges, being at this time a member of the executive committee of this organiza-
tion. Since becoming a citizen of Indiana he has been active and influential
in the work of the State Teachers' Association, also with the affairs of the
state board of education, of which he is an ex-officio member. Though first
of all an educator and making his work as such paramount to every other
consideration. Doctor Stone has not been remiss in his duty to the community
in which he resides, nor unmindful of his obligations as a citizen. A Repub-
lican in politics and thoroughly abreast of the times on the leading questions
and issues concerning which men and parties divide, he is not a partisan and
in local affairs gives his support to the best qualified candidates, irrespective
of party ties. He also manifests an abiding interest in the growth and wel-
fare of his adopted city, is a stockholder in the Merchants' National Bank of
Lafayette and aims to keep in close touch with every enterprise and movement
which has for its object the social advancement and moral welfare of his fel-
low men.
Doctor Stone, on June 24, 1889, contracted a matrimonial alliance with
Victoria Heitmueller, a native of Prussia and the daughter of Ferdinand and
Bertha Heitmueller, who also were born in that country. Airs. Stone was
reared and educated in her native land and has presented her husband with
two sons, David Frederick, born April 2. 1890. and Richard Henry, whose
birth occurred on September 25. 1892. Doctor Stone and wife are members
of the Second Presbyterian church of Lafayette, he being one of the elders
of the society. They are actively interested in all work under the auspices of
the church, besides contributing of their means and influence to the furtherance
of various charities and humanitarian enterprises in their own and other
cities.
MARTIN LUTHER PEIRCE.
Words of praise or periods of encomium could not clearly convey the
personal characteristics of the noble gentleman of whom the biographer now
essays to write in this connection, for only those who had the good fortune
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 54I
to know him personally could see the true beauty of his character and indi-
vidual traits, which were the resultant, very largely, of a long life of devotion
to duty, a life filled with good deeds to others and led along worthy planes,
for during his long business career, he having been for some time the oldest
business man in Tippecanoe county, the late Martin L. Peirce endeavored to
be an advocate of the Golden Rule. He was born in Portsmouth, New Hamp-
shire, June 26, 1806, in which city he received his education in the common
schools. He was descended from the family of Peirces that located at Kit-
tery, Maine, nearly one hundred and fifty years ago, where his father, Dr.
Nathaniel S. Peirce, was born during the last days of the American Revolu-
tion. When the latter was twenty-three years old he edited and published
the New Hampshire Gazette at Portsmouth for several years. The paper was
then fifty years old and in 1889 it was the oldest newspaper in the United
States.
In March, 1821, Martin L. Peirce, as a clerk, entered the counting room
of C. & C. W. Peirce, commission merchants of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
where he remained until 1828. Then he came to the middle West to grow
up with the new country where he deemed greater opportunities existed
for one of his temperament, and, having a rare executive ability and keen
foresight, he soon got a foothold and became prosperous. From 1836 he was
an active business man in the city of Lafayette. Taking an interest in public
afifairs, he was elected sherifif of Tippecanoe county in 1840 and again in 1842
on the Whig ticket. He afterwards refused two nominations, one for county
treasurer and one for county clerk. For the seven years following he was
the directing member of Hanna, Barbee & Company, grain and commission
dealers.
January 7, 1850, Mr. Peirce was married to Emma L. Comstock, of Hart-
ford, Connecticut, the daughter of Deacon Comstock of that city, and to this
union four children were bom, two of whom died in youth. Charles H.,
and Lizzie P., who married Fred W. Ward, survived. Mr. and Mrs. Peirce
also reared two other children, Oliver W. and Richard G. Peirce.
In 1854 Martin L. Peirce went into the banking business as a member of
the firm of Spears, Peirce & Company, under the name of the Commercial
Bank of Lafayette, and in 1863 the name of this thriving institution was
changed to the First National Bank of Lafayette, of which Mr. Peirce was
elected president, which position he held until his death, managing the afifairs
of the bank in such an able manner as to give it wide prestige and establishing
it on as solid a basis as any bank in the state. This bank was reorganized
June I, 1882. This was among the first banks of its nature organized under
54- PAST AND PRESENT
the national banking law in the United States, its original number being twenty-
six, all of which charters were issued the same day. Mr. Peirce was also
vice-president of the Lafayette Savings Bank, which he was instrumental in
organizing. He was treasurer of Purdue University from the date of its
organization until his death. He was also a trustee of Franklin College and
of the Chicago University, having always taken a very active interest in edu-
cational affairs, and no small part of the success of the above named in-
stitutions was due to his wise counsel in the management of their affairs.
He was especially interested in the success of Purdue University from the
first — in fact, he was its first treasurer. He is said to have been the first
to suggest to John Purdue the founding of this university. The two men
were closely associated and one day when they were riding together they
passed a cemetery where a thirty-six-thousand-dollar monument stood. They
commented on the useless waste of so large an amount of money, and Mr.
Peirce suggested to Mr. Purdue that he leave a more useful monument to
his memory by leaving a large sum to a college to bear his name. In this
suggestion others urged Mr. Purdue in this matter, and the great Purdue
University of today is the result.
Mr. Peirce, in his fraternal relations, was a Mason, having identified him-
self with this ancient and honored order in 1840. In 1867 he visited the Paris
Exposition as representative of the Scottish-rite Masons of the United State?,
and he attended the grand banquet of the Grand Orient of Paris, where
eleven hundred delegates, representing every civilized country in the world,
assembled. This was a distinction of which any one might well l3e proud.
While abroad he visited the principal countries of Europe and the British
Isles. He had the distinction of being the first member initiated into Tippe-
canoe Lodge, No. 55, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in Lafayette. Since
1843 to the time of his death, December 28, 1889, he was an active and promi-
nent member of the First Baptist church. At various times he made liberal
donations to the church and to Purdue University, the fine greenhouse on the
grounds of the latter being the result of his generosity. He was originally
a Free Soiler, but ever since the organization of the Republican party he
was a loyal supporter of the same.
At the national convention of bankers at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1887,
he was a delegate, being the oldest of between three and four hundred
bankers in attendance. He was held in highest esteem by the members of
that association, by members of the lodges with which he was identified, in
fact by all classes, for he had sterling traits of character which commended
liini t" all, enjoying tb.e unqualified confidence of his fellow citizens. His long
TIPl'liCANOE COUNTY, INl). 543
and eminently useful life was replete with success because he worked for it
in an honorable manner, his life work having been nobly planned and singular-
ly free from blot or stain, or even the suspicion of evil, his entire career
being marked by generous acts. The suffering, the worthy poor, the deserv-
ing young man, the church, the cause of education, never appealed to liim
in vain. He gave liberally, ungrudgingly and unostentatiously, being-
prompted by the broad charity which he felt rather than by any desire to
make a display, his only hope of reward being the consciousness of doing
good. As a financier and banker-captain of industry, his sound judgment,
unusual executive ability and fidelity to duty placed the institutions with
which he was connected in the front rank of their kind. He was truly a
consecrated Christian man. anil it was in his home life that his character shone
w'nh peculiar luster — the tenderness in his nature created idols out of its loves
and his wife, children and grandchildren were its loves. Truly he was a
good man like that mentioned in Holy Writ "whose life w-as as a shining
light."
CHARLES HOWARD ANKENY.
Though the dead are soon forgotten, few will linger longer in the
memory of citizens of Lafayette than the late Charles Howard Ankeny. This
is due to the fact that he had the qualities which impress men. Prominent
and prosperous in business, he established a character for integrity, public
spirit and the social amenities of life. Modest and unassuming, he was really
a man of great force of character and usually found in the lead when any
movement was on foot for the betterment of the city. Tenacious of his own
rights, he respected the rights of others, and in the best sense of the term he
was always a gentleman in social intercourse, as well as a model citizen in
affairs affecting the public. There was no more active member of the Mer-
chants and Manufacturers' Exchange and the Lafayette Commercial Club.
He was a lover of his home and family, noted for gentleness and kindness
and the "soft answer that turneth away wrath." The record he left will long
be an inspiration to those who knew and loved him best and Lafayette has
never had a worthier name on her roll of honorable citizenship. This well-
known business man was a son of Peter and Sabra Ankeny, born in Wash-
ington, Guernsey county, Ohio, October 2, 1844. At the breaking out of the
Civil war, though only sixteen years old, he was anxious to become a soldier
for the Union, but owing to his slight physique was not allowed to enlist. He
544 P-^ST AND PRESENT
overcame the difficulty, however, by becoming a drummer boy in Company C,
Sixtieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. With his command he went to
the front and when he was discharged, November 22, 1862, 'he had attained
the rank of sergeant. After leaving the army he obtained employment with
Duhme& Company, the famous jewelry firm of Cincinnati, but only remained
with them a short time, as he went into business for himself in 1864, as
proprietor of a jewelry store at Richmond, Indiana. He remained in that
city for ten years and, in 1874, located at Lafayette, which was destined to be
the scene of his life work. He established a jewelry store at No. 131 North
Fourth street, east of the court house, which in time became one of the land-
marks of the city. In a short time he was recognized as a leader in his line
and by remaining in the same place for thirty-four years built up a good
will that made this property very valuable in a commercial sense. At the
time of his death, which occurred October 4, 1908, the Ankeny store was
probably the oldest in continuity of existence of any similar establishment in
the city.
In 1870 Mr. Ankeny married Caroline Strickland, a lady of great worth
and much natural charm, and a member of one of the most distinguished
families in America. She is a native of Maine and on her mother's side de-
scended from the celebrated James Otis, one of the most famous of the
Revolutionary leaders and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. The
result of this union, which continued in complete harmony and happiness for
thirty-eight years, was an only daughter, now well known in Lafayette society
as Miss Alice H. Ankeny. Mr. Ankeny was a charter member of John A.
Logan Post No. 3, Grand Army of the Republic. He was also prominent
in Masonry as a member of Tippecanoe Lodge. No. 492, Free and Accepted
Masons, and Lafayette Commandery, No. 3, Knights Templar. He belonged
to the Loyal Legion, a military and patriotic organization growing out of
the Civil war, and including in its membership many names made illustrious
by that immortal struggle.
COL. WILLIAM C. WILSON.
One of the prominent and influential citizens of Lafayette, Indiana, was
Col. William C. Wilson, whose honorable career is deserving of recognition
in a history of the province of the one at hand, if for no other reason because
of his distinguished services in defense of the flag on many a sanguinary
battlefield. He was born in Montgomery county, this state, November 22,
X^ 1^, ^^^^^:^-^^^
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 545
1827, the son of John and Margaret (Cochran) Wilson. His grandparents
were natives of Virginia, the Wilson family having settled in that state in a
very early day. One member of the family v^'as a member of congress from
that state in 1824. The family finally left the Old Dominion state and located
in that portion of Lincoln county, now called Gerrard county, Kentucky.
Here the father of John Wilson, the Rev. James Wilson, who for many
years was a noted Presbyterian minister at Staunton, Augusta county, Vir-
ginia, was killed, having been thrown from a horse, leaving a widow with a
large family to support. She was then compelled to give up the farm, and
her son John, father of Colonel Wilson, soon thereafter began working at
blacksmithing, working side by side with slave laborers. He learned to detest
the institution of slavery and became an abolitionist. He left Kentucky for the
West and at Edwardsville, Illinois, he met and formed the acquaintance of
Abraham Lincoln. In 1822 he located in Montgomery county, Indiana, and
soon afterward became employed in the United States land office at Craw-
fordsville. During those pioneer days everything was freighted by trains and
money from the land office was shipped by such methods to the East. It would
be loaded into the wagons at night and left there until morning in order to get
an early start. In 1823 Mr. Wilson was elected the first clerk of that county,
which office he filled continuously and acceptably for a period of fourteen
years. He then engaged in mercantile pursuits and afterwards retired to a
farm where he spent the remainder of his life, enjoying the fruits of his years
of industry. He was a successful business man and everybody admired him
for his many praiseworthy qualities. He died in Crawfordsville, Indiana,
in 1864, his widow surviving until 1884, her death having occurred in La-
fayette.
It will be remembered that John Wilson was one of the commissioners
appointed by the legislature to locate the county seat of Tippecanoe county,
and he also helped lay out the city of Lafayette. He served one term in the
legislature, to which he was elected in 1840, being in politics a Whig. He
was truly a self-made man, having educated himself, and he was one of the
honored pioneers of Indiana.
Colonel Wilson's brother, James Wilson, was United States minister to
Venezuela, who died in South America while in his country's service. Of
this family in Tippecanoe county, there are now one sister. Miss Margaret C.
Wilson, and two brothers, one a former well-known dry goods merchant,
Austin P. Wilson, and George W. Wilson. The last named recently proposed
a new grouping of the stars of the American flag, grouping the forty-eight
stars into one huge star, arranged so as to give them historic significance. .-\
(35)
546 PAST AND PRESENT
design of the new emblem was published in the papers throughout the United
States, having been very favorably commented on, since it tells the history of
the American flag and makes the emblem more beautiful.
One branch of this family descended from Col. William ]McKee. a soldier
in Braddock's army, who fought at the famous battle known as Braddock's
Defeat in 1775. He was captain of a company in the battle of Point Pleas-
ant, Virginia, in 1778, during the Revolutionary war, which was one of the
bloodiest battles with Indians ever fought on this continent. Colonel McKee
had been commissioned by Lord Dunmore and was in command of the fort
at Point Pleasant in 1778.
In the family homestead in Lafayette is a very large and valuable library,
collected chiefly by Colonel Wilson : here also may be seen numerous interest-
ing old heirlooms.
Col. William C. Wilson was reared in Crawfordsville. this state, and
educated in private schools. He also attended ^^'abash College, graduating
from that institution in 1847, '^nd in 1849 he graduated from the law depart-
ment of the University of Indiana. Soon afterwards he was admitted to the
bar at Crawfordsville, both for the circuit and supreme courts. In 1849 li^
was appointed prosecuting attorney for his circuit, and in 1850 he came to
Lafayette and began practicing law with Major Daniel IMace, which partner-
ship continued until the latter was elected to congress in 1852. Mr. Wilson
then practiced alone until 1854, when he formed a partnership with George
Gardner (late judge of the municipal court of Chicago), which alliance con-
tinued until 1859, when Mr. Gardner went to Chicago and Colonel Wilson
was again alone in his practice.
On April 17, 1861. two days after Lincoln's first call for troops to put
down the rebellion. Air. Wilson hastened to volunteer as a private soldier in
the Union army and four days afterward he was mustered into service as
captain of Company D, Tenth Regiment. Indiana Volunteer Infantry, he
having raised the company. While at Indianapolis he was appointed major
of the regiment, which served in West Virginia in the Indiana and Ohio
Brigade, commanded by General Rosecrans. Major Wilson was wounded at
the battle of Rich Mountain. He was mustered out with his regiment in
August, 1861, During the following autumn he recruited the Fortieth Regi-
ment. Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and on September 23d of that year he
became its colonel. This regiment was assigned to the Army of the Cumber-
land under General Thomas. On March 27, 1862, Colonel ^^'ilson resigned
on account of ill health, after a career which was very meritorious in everv
respect. At the time of Morgan's northern raid, it is said that Colonel Wil-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND.
547
son recruited the One Hundred and Eighth Indiana Regiment in seven hours
and he was its colonel from July 12, 1863, during the term of enlistment for
the purpose of capturing that intrepid southern leader. On May 24, 1864, he
was appointed colonel of the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Regiment. Indiana
Volunteer Infantry, and was assigned to the Twenty-third Corps of Sherman's
army in the Atlanta campaign, and he was among the detachment sent
back to Nashville in pursuit of Hood. He was honorably mustered out of
service in September, 1864, and he soon afterwards returned to his law prac-
tice in Lafayette. He had three brothers in the Civil war. all officers and brave
soldiers, one of whom had also been in the Mexican war.
In 1853 occurred the marriage of William C. Wilson to Sarah F. Bon-
nell, of Independence, Warren county, Indiana.
In 1866 to 1867 Colonel Wilson was assessor of internal revenue, and
from 1868 to 1869 he was postmaster of Lafayette, filling both oftices in a
manner that reflected credit upon his ability as a public servant. He was also
a very active and valuable member of the city council. He was first a
Whig, but he became a Republican when that party came into power. In 1876
he delivered an address before the Society of the Army of the Cumberland,
of which he was a member, at Philadelphia. The address was received with
high encomiums by the press all over the country. On November 13, 1879,
at the thirteenth annual banquet of the Society of the Army of the Tennessee,
held in Chicago, Colonel Wilson was one of the orators among such dis-
tinguished men as Grant, Logan, Sheridan, Hurlburt and Ingersoll. He was
called on to take the place of General Garfield, responding to the toast, "The
Army of the Cumberland and its Leader, the Rock of Chickamauga." His
speech was such a masterpiece that it was printed in full in the papers through-
out the countr)'. He also made a memorable address at the laying of the
corner-stone of the present court house of Tippecanoe county.
The death of this distinguished man, this able public servant, noted
attorney and popular citizen occurred on September 25, 1891, in Lafayette.
Those who knew him best pronounced him a man of steadfastness in pursuit
of an honorable purpose, possessing untiring industry, with the highest order
of moral and physical courage, a man of intense energy and zeal, all these
praiseworthy characteristics supplemented by a wealth of thrilling eloquence
which often enabled him to win the most difficult cases and hold his hearers
spellbound on any subject. He was patient, forbearing, gentle and loving; as
a commander he was alert, cautious, fearless and his soldiers all put the utmost
confidence in his ability and admired him as a man ; he was generous and kind,
and he discharged his official trusts with fidelity and universal satisfaction.
548 PAST AND PRESENT
In matters pertaining to the welfare of his county, state and nation, Colonel
Wilson was deeply interested, and his efforts in behalf of the general progress
were far-reaching and beneficial. His name is indelibly associated with prog-
ress in this county and among those in whose midst he lived and labored he
was held in the highest esteem by reason of an upright life and of fidelity to
principles which in every land and clime command respect. Now that his
eminently useful career has closed, his influence for good is still alive, and
many young men have been strengthened by contemplating his life and emulat-
ing his worthy example. Truly he was a man of high attainments whose
light has not been extinguished by the transition we call death, but it shines
on with a luster which the future years shall not dim.
CHARLES H. PEIRCE.
It is impossible within the circumscribed limits of this review to give
more than a mere glance at leading facts in the life of one of Tippecanoe
county's most influential and best known men. In the broadest and best
meaning of the term, he is a benefactor in that he has labored for the material
prosperity of this county while advancing his own interests. The noble pur-
poses and high ideals by which his life is directed and controlled renders
Charles H. Peirce deservedly popular with all classes. A native of Lafayette,
Indiana, where his birth occurred April 22, 1857, he has elected to remain
here, believing that this vicinity held greater opportunities for him than re-
mote localities. He is the son of the well-known late Martin L. Peirce, whose
biography appears in full on another page of this work. His mother was
known in her maidenhood as Emma Comstock, a native of Hartford, Con-
necticut, a kindly woman of beautiful Christian character who has lived in
Lafayette for about sixty-five years and is, at this writing, making her home
with her son. Charles H. Peirce.
Mr. Peirce grew to manhood in Lafayette, spending his youth in much
the same manner as other young men contemporaneous with him — attending
the common schools until the opening of Purdue University when he began
a course there, having the distinction of being the first pupil enrolled in the
first class organized in that institution. After leaving the university, where
he made a very commendable record, he became connected with the First
National Bank, with which he remained for a period of about twenty years,
during which time he became familiar with the details of banking and general
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 549
business methods, partly under the training of his father, a financier of more
than ordinary ability. Thus he came to his next position, that with the Kern
Packing Company (now the Lafayette Packing Company), well qualified for
its exacting duties. Remaining with this firm for one year, he went to Indian-
apolis where he engaged in the ice business for a period of three and one-half
years, returning to Lafayette in January, 1909, when he became connected
with the Lafayette Fuel and Builders' Supply Company, of which he is, at
this writing, secretary and treasurer; under his judicious management this
firm is doing an extensive business.
On December 9, 1879, was solemnized the marriage of Charles H. Peirce
with Hattie M. Brown, a native of Lafayette and the daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. L. W. Brown, an old and well-established family here. Mr. and Mrs.
Brown, however, are now residing in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Peirce
is a woman of culture, refinement and affability and she presides over the
beautiful Peirce home with a grace that causes the large coterie of friends
of the family to delight to gather there, always finding a hospitable and cheer-
ful welcome. This union has been blessed by the birth of one son, Martin
L. Peirce, whose talents seem to run along journalistic lines, he, at present.
being the telegraph editor of the Lafayette Courier.
Something of Mr. Peirce's innate business qualities is shown by the fol-
lowing incident. When about twelve years of age he won a prize of one
hundred dollars, offered by his father, for a certain accomplishment. When
asked what he intended doing with it he replied : "Put it in the savings bank
to the credit of Mrs. Charles H. Peirce." And he did so, leaving it until
he was married, when his bride received it as a wedding present. It had then
fully doubled by compounding the interest. She still leaves it in the bank,
untouched.
Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Peirce belong to the First Baptist church, of
Lafayette, being interested in the various lines of charitable and missionary
work under its auspices. They are pleasant people to know, avoid publicity
and sham in all its forms, plain, straightforward and kindly, thus easily
making and retaining friends.
JOSEPH BLISTAIN.
Among the men of influence in Tippecanoe county, who have the inter-
est of their locality at heart and who have led consistent lives, thereby gaining
definite success along their chosen lines, is Joseph Blistain, one of the pro-
550 PAST AND PRESENT
gressive business men of the city of Lafayette where he figures prominently
not only in commercial circles but also in the civic and social life. He was
born August 13, 1854. at Wheeling, West Virginia, the son of Anthony and
Catherine (Hauck) Blistain. He lived in Wheeling about one year, when his
parents moved to Cincinnati where they lived about seven years, then moved to
Chillicothe, Ohio, where Joseph remained until 1875, attending the public
schools and preparing himself for his subsequent business career. In 1872
he took a position in the wholesale and retail dry goods and notion store of
Joseph Stewart, of Chillicothe, Ross county, Ohio, where he made rapid ad-
vancement, so that after his second year there he was sent out as a traveling
salesman, selling goods by sample, alternating his trips with clerking in the
store, continuing thus until about 1875, when he severed his connection with
this firm and became traveling salesman for William H. Scheer & Company,
wholesale dealers in hats, caps, furs and gloves at Cincinnati, which position
he held with credit and entire satisfaction, giving to it his best talents until
1878. Then he took a position with Jorling & Kolling, who had been mem-
bers of the firm of \Y. H. Scheer & Company, but withdrew in 1878 and
embarked in the same business for themselves, Mr. Blistain acting as their
bookkeeper and traveling salesman. In 1880 the firm, then known as H.
Jorling & Company, admitted Mr. Blistain as a partner, and after six years
of very successful business the latter disposed of his interest and came to
Lafayette, Indiana, and became connected with the Newman & Bohrer Brew-
ery. After the death of Mr. Newman in 1889. the firm became the George A.
Bohrer Brewing Company and was incorporated with an authorized capital
stock of one hundred thousand dollars and Mr. Blistain became treasurer of
the company, which responsible position he still holds, discharging the duties
of the same in a manner that stamps him as a man of unusual business acumen,
foresight and soundness of judgment. This firm enjoys a very liberal patron-
age, shipping large consignments of goods to Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, covering
these states thoroughly, to say nothing of the phenomenal trade over Indiana.
When Mr. Blistain became a member of this firm its prestige was not so
very extensive, but by frugal industry it has increased to an annual capacity
of twenty thousand barrels. The building frontage is about two hundred
and fifty feet, running back to the alley one hundred and twenty feet, and
the buildings are all of brick, three and five stories high, fully equipped with
the latest improved machinery and most modern appliances of every type to
insure the best possible results. Everything is under an excellent system
and the plant is a model of its kind in every respect.
Anthony and Catherine (Hauck) Blistain. parents of Joseph, were both
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 55 1
born in Germany, the father near Duesseldorf. He emigrated to America in
the forties, first located in Philadelphia, but later he went to Cincinnati where
he worked as brewmaster for a period of seven years. He then bought an
interest in a brewery at Wheeling, West Virginia, afterwards returning to
Cincinnati where he acted as brewmaster again. In 1859 he purchased a
brewery in Chillicothe, Ohio, which he conducted in such a manner as to gain
an ample competency, being able to retire from active life in 1871. His
death occurred on July 4, 1880. Catherine Hauck was born in Bavaria and
came to America some two years after Anthony Blistain arrived ; her death
occurred in 1875.
June 30, 1880. Joseph Blistain was united in marriage with Amelia M.
Bohrer, daughter of George A. Bohrer, president of the brewing company
described in a preceding paragraph. He was born in Bavaria, December i,
1819, and married Caroline Newman, a native of north Germany, born March
15, 1827. Their wedding, however, took place in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1849,
in which city they lived for twenty-two years. The parents of each of these
parties came to America in an early day. George A. Bohrer landed in New
Orleans and came by boat up the Mississippi river to Cincinnati; he was
eleven years of age and was accompanied by his older brother. Being of an
industrious turn of mind, he first learned the trade of shoemaker, and later
worked in the grocery business, also at undertaking and the livery business
in Cincinnati. He came to Lafayette, Indiana, in 1872, and began in the
brewery business, finally buying out the interest of a Mr. Herbert of the firm
of Newman & Herbert Brewing Company.
To Mr. and Mrs. George A. Bohrer eight children were born, five sons.
and three daughters — all born in Cincinnati. Four of the number are now
living. The children in order of birth are : George H., Mrs. John W. Flete-
meyer, Charles J.. Edward F., Albert F., deceased; Mrs. Joseph Blistain,
deceased; Mrs. Louisa Spring, deceased; William, deceased. The death of
Mrs. Joseph Blistain occurred on Christmas day. 1889. She was a fond
mother and an excellent woman, whom everybody admired for her congenial-
ity and kindness. To Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Blistain four children were born,,
of whom one died in childhood ; the three living are : Erna, wife of Alvin
Bodemer. of Cincinnati, where Mr. Bodemer is engaged in the manufacture of
paper bags, and the wholesale paper business, a member of the firm of Diem
& Wing Paper Company. William Blistain is bookkeeper in the brewery of
which his father is treasurer. George A. Blistain, the youngest son, graduated
from Purdue University in 1909, having completed the course in mechanical,
engineering.
552 PAST AND PRESENT
Mr. Blistain is a member of the United Ancient Order of Druids, Wal-
halla Grove, No. 12, and Lafayette Lodge, No. 143, Benevolent and Pro-
tective Order of Elks. He is a Republican and served one term as a member
of the city council, elected 1902.
Personally, Mr. Blistain is a man of pleasing address, always kind, cour-
teous, obliging, yet straightforward, tactful, business-like, and a man in whom
the utmost confidence may be reposed, according to those who know him best,
for his character is exemplary and he holds high rank in both business and
social circles of Lafayette.
SENATOR WILLLAM R. WOOD.
In touching upon the life history of Senator William R. Wood, there is
no desire to employ fulsome encomium and extravagant praise; yet the
biographer will endeavor to hold up for consideration those facts which show
the distinction of a useful and honorable life. To do this will be but to reiter-
ate the dictum pronounced upon the man by those who have known him long
and well. To have served his fellow-citizens in one office for a longer period
than any other man has done in the history of the state, and to have been
retained in that office by the votes of the people who best know him, is indeed
a distinction of which any man would have just reason to be proud. To have
practiced his profession in one community for more than a quarter of a cen-
tury and during these years to have grown constantly in the esteem of his
professional brethren and in the respect of the people generally, is irrefutable
evidence of the ability and sterling worth of the man. In these respects, as
well as in all other lines of activity in which Senator Wood has been inter-
ested, he has exhibited qualities which have given him an enviable standing in
the community.
Senator William R. Wood is a Hoosier by nativity, having been born
in Oxford, Benton county, Indiana, January 5, 1861. He is a son of Robert
and Matilda (Hickman) Wood, the former for many years a well-known
and honored citizen of Oxford where he successfully conducted a harness
business. Their son, William R.. spent his boyhood days much like other
boys of his time, working on the farm during the summer months and attend-
ing the common schools in the winter time. When fourteen years of age he
decided to follow in the footsteps of his father and began learning the harness-
maker's trade in the latter's shop. This, however, soon proved to be not in
line with the yearnings of his heart, and all his spare time was devoted to
" V -> ^^ i^-ai^-,^ ^^^^ A/^
^g^
^^^^^^
TU'PECANOE COUNTY, IND. 553
Study and preparation for a professional career. He was an indefatigable
reader and thoughtful student, and before he had attained his majority he
was enrolled in the law department of the University of Michigan, from
which he was graduated in 1882, having made a splendid record for scholar-
ship in that institution.
Immediately upon his graduation, William R. Wood came to Lafayette,
Indiana, and entered upon the practice of his profession. He was first asso-
ciated with Capt. De\\'itt C. Wallace, but this partnership was dissolved within
two years, and Mr. Wood then entered into a professional alliance with
Capt. William H. Bryan, and this relation was maintained until 1890, when
the former was elected prosecuting attorney of the twenty-third judicial circuit
as the candidate of the Republican party. His performance of the duties of
the office was marked by efificiency of a high order, and at the close of his
first term he was again elected, serving two full terms. In 1894 the subject
was a candidate for the nomination for congressman in the Republican nomi-
nating convention and several times during the progress of the ballots he
came within five votes of the nomination. Eighty-seven ballots were taken,
the nomination finally going to J. Frank Hanly. It was largely through the
action of Senator Wood in throwing the votes of some of his supporters to
Mr. Hanly that the latter was nominated.
After Mr. Hanly's return from congress, he and Senator Wood formed
a law partnership, the combination proving to be one of unusual strength,
the firm soon taking place in the front rank of the Tippecanoe county bar.
This professional association was maintained seven years, or until 1904, when
Mr. Hanly was elected governor of Indiana and removed to Indianapolis,
since which time Senator \\'ood has been alone in the practice.
It was in 1896 that the Republican party selected William R. Wood for
state senator, and at the ensuing election he received a handsome majority
of votes, and he entered at once into his legislative duties with an earnest-
ness and zeal that commended him to the voters of his district. He was not
in any sense a "grand-stand player," but he accomplished things, and this
habit of doing things has stuck to him all through his public and professional
life. So strongly did he impress his constituents that they have returned
him to the state senate at each subsequent election, so that at the expiration
of his present term he will have served fourteen consecutive years as senator.
This is a record that has never been equaled in that body in the history of the
state and is certainly a marked testimonial to the character of the man. Dur-
ing this period Senator Wood has twice served as president pro tem. of the
senate. Among the many successful measures introduced and championed by
554 PAST AND PRESENT
him in the state senate was the bill for the appropriation and erection of
the handsome monument on the Tippecanoe battlefield.
Senator \\'ood enjoys a large and lucrative law practice, being one of
the leading members of the Tippecanoe county bar, and he has been engaged
in many of the most important cases which have been tried here. In dis-
cussions of the principles of law, he is noted for clearness of statement and
candor and his zeal for a client never leads him to urge an argument which,
in his judgment, is not in harmony with the law, and in all the important liti-
gation with which he has been connected no one has ever charged him with
anything calculated to bring discredit upon himself or cast a reflection upon
his profession. As an effective and forceful speaker. Senator Wood's remarks
always demand attention, whether he is in the legislative hall or the court
room. He has prospered by reason of his close application to business, and
aside from his professional duties he has a number of interests that claim his
attention, being a director in the City National Bank, also a director of the
Tippecanoe Land and Trust Company, being the attorney for each, and he is
one of the principal stockholders in the American National Bank ; he is also
interested in the Tippecanoe Securities Company, being the general attorney
for the same; this is one of the largest insurance agency companies in the
state. He is a director and stockholder in the Lafayette Telephone Company;
also the Kern Packing Company and is its attorney.
In 1883 Senator Wood was united in marriage with Mary Elizabeth
Geiger, of Lafayette, the daughter of Frederick and Rachael (McCombs)
Geiger. Frederick Geiger was the pioneer miller of Lafayette, having oper-
ated the old Star City Flouring Mill, the products of which were shipped
principally to Toledo, Ohio, and other eastern points by canal. Mrs. Geiger
was one of the first white children born in Tippecanoe county, and during
her life she witnessed the erection of three court houses in Lafayette, the first
one having been built of logs.
Senator Wood takes an abiding interest in fraternal affairs. He is a
member of the Masonic order, in which he has taken the degrees up to and
including those of Knight Templar, holding the latter relation in Lafayette
Commandery, and he is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order
of Elks. The Senator possesses a genial disposition and makes friends easily.
He enjoys probably the widest acquaintance among the voters of the county
of any of our public men, and he is highly esteemed by all who know him,
regardless of political or other distinctions. Senator Wood's family on both
sides are Methodi.sts in their church relations.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 555
JOB HAIGH VAN NATTA.
It is a pleasing as well as an interesting task to place on record the
career of a man who has been so long and so actively identified with the
development and progress of Tippecanoe county as the distinguished citizen
whose name introduces this article, and who holds worthy prestige among
■those to whom this highly famed section of Indiana is so greatly indebted for
its advancement and prosperity.
Job Haigh Van Natta is not only widely known and universally esteemed,
but ever since becoming an inHuential factor in civic matters his name has
passed current for all that is upright and honorable and he stands today a
conspicuous figure in a community long distinguished for the ability, moral
worth and successful achievements of its representative men of affairs. A
native of Indiana, he was born January 27, 1833, in Tippecanoe county, being
a son of John S. and Sarah A. (Haigh) Van Natta, who were among the
early settlers near the village of Otterbein and who also ranked high as intel-
ligent, enterprising and influential members of the community which they
helped establish.
The Van Nattas moved to Indiana from Ohio, but originally lived in
New Jersey where, in 1801, John S. Van Natta was born. His father
was Gilbert Van Natta, who was born in 1772 and who married in his
young manhood a Miss Senteny and who, for a number of years thereafter,
resided near the city of Trenton, New Jersey, where he followed the vocation
of farming. When their son was quite small, his parents moved to Mays-
ville, Kentucky, where the lad spent his boyhood, and later they changed
their residence to Ohio where, in due time, John Senteny Van Natta united
in marriage with Mrs. Sarah A. Wilson, whose first husband had died a few
years previously, leaving her with three children to support. It is worthy
of note that all these children grew up to be honorable men and women and
dignified their respective stations in life. One of them, Hon. John T. Wilson,
a man of high standing and widely known in political circles, represented
one of the Ohio districts in congress, and also endowed in Adams county,
where he lived, a home for those whom age and infirmity rendered incapable
of caring for themselves ; Spencer Wilson, another son, became an extensive
landowner in Iowa, and a very wealthy man, while a third, a daughter, mar-
ried Walter Moore and lived for a number of years in Shelby township. Tip-
pecanoe county, where she reared a large family.
The maiden name of Mrs. Wilson was Sarah A. Haigh ; she was born
556 PAST AND PRESENT
in England and when six years old came to America with her parents, her
father being Job Haigh, an expert cabinetmaker, who was employed for
some time on the construction of the capitol building in the city of Washing-
ton. The marriage of John Senteny Van Natta and Sarah A. Wilson, which
took place about the year 1820, resulted in three children, Aaron, Rachel and
Maria, all torn while the parents lived in Ohio. In 1829, the family moved
overland in a four-horse wagon to Indiana, and settled in Shelby township,
Tippecanoe county, where Mr. Van Natta entered two hundred acres of public
land, to which he added from time to time until he finally became the possessor
of about four hundred acres, the greater part of which he cleared, reduced
to cultivation and converted into a fine farm. Three sons, William S., Job
H. and James G., were born after the family settled in Tippecanoe county
and their early lives were closely interwoven with the community in which
they first saw the light of day.
Maria J., the third daughter, first became the wife of John Bigger and
later married John W. Fisher, a prosperous farmer near Battle Ground, where
she still resides, having reached the advanced age of eighty-two years, and
retaining to a marked degree the possession of her bodily and mental powers.
Another daughter, Rachel, died at the age of twenty years. William S. Van
Natta. who lives at Fowler, is an extensive landowner, an enterprising and
wealthy farmer and the head of a large family, all of his children being
well-to-do and highly esteemed in their respective places of residence.
Job H. Van Natta. who has spent his entire life of seventy-six years
near the place of his birth, is perhaps the oldest native citizen of Tippecanoe
county at the present time. He was reared to agricultural pursuits on the
family homestead near Otterbein, grew to the full stature of rugged, well-
rounded manhood with a proper conception of life and its responsibilities and
on attaining his majority purchased a quarter section of land northeast of
Otterbein, which he fenced and broke and in due time had the greater part
in a successful state of cultivation. There being no sawmills in the locality
at that time he was obliged to go to Crawfordsville for the lumber with
which to enclose the part of his land intended for tillage. The dealer giving
him choice between walnut and poplar at the same price he chose the latter
because of its being lighter and more easily hauled, thus saving at least one
trip over the long and illy constructed roads, but little realizing the loss he
.sustained in the transaction.
By dint of hard lalx)r and continuous toil Mr. Van Natta finally suc-
ceeded in reclaiming the greater part of his land and making one of the
l->est farms and one of the most l>eautiful and desirable rural homes in the
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 557
county. No sooner had he gotten his affairs in a condition to live easily
and enjoy the fruits of his struggles and toil than the national horizon became
overcast by the ominous clouds of impending civil war. A lover of country
and loyal in all the term implies, he made ready to take part in the conflict
as soon as it should be precipitated. When the clouds finally burst and the
stern call came he was among the first men in Tippecanoe county to tender
his services to the government, enlisting in September, 1861, in the Tenth
Regiment Indiana A^olunteer Infantry, and being elected first lieutenant upon
the organization of Company D, to which he belonged. Mr. Van Natta
was not long in proceeding to the front and during the years which followed
he rendered faithful and efficient service in some of the most noted campaigns
and many of the bloodiest battles of the war, sharing with his comrades all
the vicissitudes in which his command took part, and proving under all cir-
cumstances a brave and gallant soldier who shrank from no danger nor hesi-
tated to go wherever duty called. Among the first battles in which he was
engaged was Mill Springs, Kentucky, where a musket ball passed through his
cap ; from there he returned with the army to Louisville preparatory to moving
against the enemy farther south. Taking boats at that city, the force pro-
ceeded to Nashville, Tennessee, thence marched to Pittsburg Landing in
time to participate in the second day's battle, with Buell's command. For
brave and meritorious conduct on that bloody field, Mr. Van Natta was
promoted captain March 20, 1862, in which capacity he led his men against
the enemy at Corinth, where he distinguished himself at the head of six com-
panies, four infantry and two of cavalry, and added to his already well-estab-
lished reputation as an intrepid though careful and judicious officer. For his
conduct in the latter action he was highly praised by his brigade commander,
General Steadman, and, for duty ably and gallantly performed, he was made
major of the regiment November 18, 1862, which position he held until
commissioned lieutenant-colonel September 21, 1863, by Governor Morton,
for especially brilliant service at the battle of Chickamauga.
From Corinth the Federal forces marched to Tuscumbia, Alal)ama. but
being threatened in the rear by General Bragg they returned to Louisville,
thence proceeded to Perryville in time to take part in the sanguinary engage-
ment near that place. From Perryville. the march was continued to Lafayette,
Georgia, with a number of skirmishes and se\-eral battles on the way, but
the movement of Longstreet, whose aim was to move his corps from the
Potomac so as to form a junction with the western army under the command
of Bragg, caused the Federals tn he hurried by a fnrced march ti> Chicka-
mauga. .\rriving at the latter place Colonel Croxton. who commanded the
558 PAST AND PRESENT
brigade, ordered Major Van Natta to take command of the skirmish line and
bring on an engagement, which was done in due order. At first it was thought
the enemy had but a small force on the opposite side of the river, with a bridge
burned liehind them, but as Major Van Natta developed their true position
it was learned, much to the chagrin of the Union troops, that what was
supposed to be a small force was the entire Confederate army in readiness
for battle.
The battle of Chickamauga, one of the hardest and bloodiest of the war,
need not here be described. Suffice it to state, however, that the regiment
to which Major Van Natta belonged displayed the most gallant and determined
courage on that awful day, and of his former company fully one-half were
killed and wounded, other commands suffering in like manner. The Major
and his gallant men performed prodigies of valor against overwhelming odds,
and in the leading of a forlorn hope he displayed a brilliancy of leadership
and at the same time a wise discretion that, as already indicated, led to
his being commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the regiment by the war governor
of Indiana, a short time after the battle was fought. The retreat from the
field of Chickamauga to Chattanooga, where the Federals took a position with
the river behind them on the west, with Lookout mountain rising from the
river on the south, a gap of one mile from the mountain to Missionary Ridge,
which stretched around the troops north, then northwest to the river ; on the
mountain and the ridge the Confederate forces in battle array awaited the
onset, but the capture of the mountains by strategy and the resistless charge
to and up over the ridge, during which thousands of brave men fell a sacri-
fice to the awful moloch of war, the precipitate retreat of the Confederates,
the shouts of victory by the elated hosts of the North — all have been told and
retold until the history of that terrible struggle has become as familiar as
a household tale.
In (leneral Thomas' command, fighting with his wounded arm in a sling.
Major Van Natta stood for some time facing Missionarv Ridge and when
the center charged without orders he was among the first to ascend the
declivity, in the face of a murderous fire, and to him belongs no little of the
credit of inspiring his men in a situation which has no parallel in the annals of
warfare. After the capture of Missionary Ridge." the Major marched with
Sherman through Georgia to Atlanta and participated in several sanguinary
battles which led to the reduction of that noted stronghold, including among
others those of Peachtree Creek, Buzzard Roost, and Resaca ; in fact, he was
under almost continuous fire until the city fell and Georgia ixissed from Con-
federate to Federal control. At the expiration of his term of service he was
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 559
discharged September 19, 1864. witli an honorable record, one of which any
bra\e defender of his country might well feel proud, and returning home he
resumed the peaceful pursuits of civil life at Lafayette, with the material
interests of which prosperous city he has since been largely identified.
For about twenty years Mr. Van Natta was associated with his brother
in the cattle business at Lafayette, buying and shipping to the leading eastern
markets, and consigning every week from twenty to thirty car loads and
frequently handling considerably in excess of those figures. The enterprise
proved successful beyond their most ardent expectations and on retiring from
business they each possessed a fortune of sufficient magnitude to make them
independent and earn for them prominent positions among the financially
strong and reliable men of Lafayette and the county of Tippecanoe.
Mr. Van Natta has large and valuable tracts of land in the county
besides real estate in the city of his residence and elsewhere, owning eight
hundred acres of fine land north of Battle Ground, the greater part under
cultivation and otherwise highly improved. He also has six hundred acres
near Otterbein and seven hundred acres in LaGrange county, all very valu-
able, and in addition to these interests he is a stockholder and director of the
Merchants" National Bank of Lafayette, owns stock in the Lafayette Loan
and Trust Company, of which he is also a director, besides holding large
interests in the Lafayette Savings Bank, of which he is a trustee, and the
First National Bank of Boswell and the State Bank of Otterbein, being presi-
dent of the last two institutions.
Mr. Van Natta has always kept pace with the times not only in business
matters but in public affairs, and a number of enterprises which have made
for the material progress and general welfare of Lafa\-ette and Tippecanoe
county have profited by his counsel and advice. For many years he has been
a trustee of Purdue University and, like all public-spirited men of the city,
he has never permitted his interest in this splendid institution to wane nor
been lacking in his duty to other means for the intellectual advancement of the
community honored by his citizenship. His heart and hand have been seen
and felt in nearly every institution and movement that has for its purpose
the benefit and uplift of his fellowmen, and his friendships, always constant,
zealous and reliable, have given him an influence such as few exercise.
^Ir. Van Natta, on October 10, 1866, contracted a marriage with Harriet
Barnes, daughter of Samuel Barnes (see sketch of Thomas J. Barnes), which
union has been blessed with six children, viz. : Blanche, wife of Augustus
Ruffner, of Chicago, and the mother of a son named Henr)- Van Natta
Ruffner; J. Lynn Van Natta, present treasurer of Tippecanoe county: Samuel
560 PAST AND PRESENT
Gilbert, a wealthy cattleman of Texas ; Louise, now Mrs. George E. Baldwin,
of Seattle, Washington; John W., who is interested with his brother in Texas,
and Nancy, who is a member of the home circle. Mr. Van Natta is above
the average height, tall and of gentlemanly bearing, courteous in his relations
with his fellowmen and generous and kind to all. His tastes are largely
domestic and he finds his keenest enjoyment in his home and with his family
in whom he manifests a pardonable and well-deserved pride.
ZEBULOX BAIRD.
Zebulon Baird was of Scotch descent, born in New Jersey and reared
and educated in Ohio; but forty years of his manhood, with their record of
honorable achievement, belong to Indiana. His great-grandfather, John
Baird, was the Scottish ancestor who came to America in 1683 and, although
a lad under the age of twenty, purchased a goodly tract of land at Marlboro,
Monmouth county. New Jersey, and proceeded to erect a homestead. This
quaint old house is still standing — an interesting structure of the early colonial
type. John Baird married, and his descendants were men of large landed inter-
ests and social consequence.
The second generation of American Bairds became connected with
another of New Jersey's substantial families — one of political prominence in
colonial times — by the marriage of James Baird and Deliverance Bowne.
These were the parents of the subject, who thus drew directly from two
family founts of ability and virtue. Zebulon Baird, one of six children, was
born December 21, 181 7. Soon after his birth, his parents left their New
Jersey home and settled upon a farm in Warren county, Ohio. Here Zebulon
grew and studied. His schoolhouse was a log cabin, but his instructor was a
man of practical attainments and classical culture, and, like the Bairds, a
stanch Scotch Presbyterian. Zebulon was early ready for collegiate work,
ami duly entered Miami University, of which Robert H. Bishop was then
president. His college course completed, he liegan the study of law under
Governor Thomas Corwin at Lebanon, and in the spring of 1838 he was
admitted to the bar of Ohio; a few months later he began practice at Lafay-
ette. Indiana, in partnership with Judge Ingram, a veteran in the legal field.
Mr. Baird was markedly of the student type. To absorb and systematize truth
for practical use was with him a natural mental function. His classical
knowledge was the wonder, admiration and reference fund of his associates.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 56I
He loved his profession for itself, without regard to the financial rewards
of success or political prestige. Yet, still more did he love his country and
the cause of liberty, and when the Civil war came on he entered service as
captain under General Milroy. During his army experience he met with an
adventure which promised to be more serious than it proved. It was at the
second battle of Bull Run. Unknown to him, the Union forces had beaten a
retreat, he being engaged at the time in carrying orders. Unconscious of
his peril, he rode into the picket lines of the enemy where he was quickly
captured, and he subsequently was made an inmate of that historic horror,
Libby Prison. Unlike the fate of so many of his fellow-victims, he was soon
released, on exchange, and the sequel to this prison episode wears a tinge of
less gloomy romance. He had at that time a case pending in the United
States supreme court, and as the city of Washington lay in the line of his
journey from Libby Prison to his new post of duty to which he was assigned,
he took advantage of this opportunity to plead his cause. He addressed the
court in his officer's uniform, and the interest awakened by the novel appear-
ance of the military advocate was deepened into profound attention by the
force of his oratory. At the conclusion of his plea, he was the recipient of
much gratulation, and one of the justices was led facetiously to wonder what
might not be expected of generals when captains could argue so well. The
rigors of military life told severely upon the slender constitution of Captain
Baird, and a short time before the declaration of peace he was obliged to
resign his commission. Returning home, he devoted himself to professional
work and in the few remaining years of his life he earned a reputation in
Indiana as one of the ablest and most thoroughly equipped lawyers of its bar.
His intellectual talents were of the highest order, yet he did not rely upon
those talents for his success, as so many similarly gifted would have done.
His early mental discipline had been most excellent, and throughout his
professional career he was a close and conscientious student of his cases. The
philosophy of law was his delight, and in the consideration of legal proposi-
tions he dwelt upon principles rather than precedents, but he never neglected
to inform himself on the law of his cases, and if precedent became imperative,,
he was always prepared to apply it with his characteristic skill. His thorough
acquaintance with fundamental principles and his acute analytical power made
him quick to detect a weakness or fallacy in an argument, and he was a
formidable antagonist; yet his self-control was superb and his courtesy to
adversaries, as well as to court and jury, unvarying. He was a man of pure
and lofty ideals, to which he was never for a moment oblivious. Joseph E.
McDonald, formerly United States senator from Indiana, read law in the
(36)
562 PAST AND PRESENT
office of Mr. Baird, and the success which he later won, both as an attorney
and pohtician, he attributed to the splendid training he had received from his
legal patron, whom he declared to be one of the ablest lawyers ever produced
by the state of Indiana. Nor was he unsupported by the profession in his
high estimate of Mr. Baird. In "Sketches of the Old Indiana Supreme Court
Bar," by Gen. John Coburn, Zebulon Baird is accredited with his many super-
ior abilities, which are finally epitomized in these words: "He was well
matched with the best lawyers on the Wabash, and in any English-speaking
court would have ranked among the highest." In person, Mr. Baird was a
type almost feminine in its delicacy. His features were fine and clearly cut ;
his blue eyes mild ; his pale face vitalized with thought. He was one of those
rare personalities from which all grosser elements seem refined away, until
the intellectual and spiritual being stands out in bold relief. The contempla-
tion of such men, frail in physique, yet pronounced in character and sensibility,
is reassuring to religious faith, making easier the conception of a future state
in which the individuality shall appear unchanged, only more clearly and
purely defined in its freedom from the mortal clod.
Mr. Baird was married on January 22, 1839, to Martha M. Probasco,
whose father was the late Rev. John Probasco, of Lebanon, Ohio. Five chil-
dren were born of this union. Mr. Baird died January 29, 1877. and his
widow on the 22d of June. 1898.
LEE HARRY MORGAN.
Among the younger coterie of business men of Lafayette and one who is
rapidly pushing his way to the front by means of fidelity to his chosen work
and by a determined energy that knows no flagging until whatever task he has
in hand is finished, is Lee H. Morgan, the scion of as worthy ancestors as any-
one can claim. He was bom in Farmington, Fulton county, Illinois, May 25,
1870, the son of George W. and Martha E. (Warner) Morgan. When Lee
was five years old the family moved to Sidney, Champaign county, Illinois,
where they remained for eight years, then moved to Salem, Illinois, the former
home of William Jennings Br\-an, Mr. Bryan having been a schoolmate of
Mrs. George W. Morgan. After three years spent at Salem, the Morgan
family moved to Champaign. Illinois. At this place Lee H. left school, having
secured a fairly good text-book training, for the purpose of entering the
grocery business, in which he remained for two years. Then he, together
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 563
with his father and brother, started a mattress factory at Champaign, which
they successfully conducted for three years, when the family moved to Lafay-
ette, Indiana. This was in 1900. Lee H. and his brother William F. started
a mattress factory and carpet cleaning business soon after they came to Lafay-
ette on South Sixteenth street, for which they were well equipped, consequently
were able to do first-class work. Their carpet cleaning is done in a large
cylinder, fifteen feet in diameter, which revolves slowly; it is made of slats,
and is so constructed that the carpet will roll and fall from top to bottom, thus
beating it mechanically, airing it and removing the dirt. All the machinery
is iip-to-date and the very best work is turned out here quickly and at reason-
able prices. The name of the firm was Morgan & Morgan after they came
here. After operating their original business for about a year they added
furniture upholstering and repairing. In 1905 William F. withdrew from the
business and Lee H. Morgan still continues the business under his own name.
He not only makes new upholstered furniture, but refinishes antique furniture
of the highest quality. When this business was first started by the Morgan
brothers in Lafayette they occupied a room only twenty -two by fifty feet.
About three years later they erected a large addition, which they again en-
larged in 1906, the business having grown until this became a necessity. Two
floors are now required, thirty-three by ninety-six feet throughout. A number
of employes are kept busy turning out the work, the business now covering a
wide territory and constantly growing.
Lee H. Morgan was married, June 30, 1903, to Rosa Fluck, of Cham-
paign, Illinois, a very affable woman, the representative of an excellent family.
In his fraternal relations, Mr. Morgan is a member of the Knights of
Pythias lodge; he also belongs to Trinity Methodist Episcopal church. In
1905 he erected a new dwelling just south of the factory, which is modern, con-
venient and attractive. He is a hard worker, plans well and has succeeded.
He always takes a summer vacation on the northern lakes where he regales
himself hunting and fishing, being something of a sportsman. He likes good
horses and does considerable driving. He is obliging and friendly and a man
who makes and retains friends easily.
WILLIAM MONHOLAN JACKSON.
He whose career is now taken under consideration and to whom the
reader's attention is respectfully directed, is numbered among the progressive
citizens of Lafayette and one of the representative men of Tippecanoe county,
564 P-'^ST AND PRESENT
of which he has been a resident all his life, having been born here, and he has
gained prosperity through his own honest efforts in connection with the de-
velopment of the natural resources and the subsequent business prosperity.
William M. Jackson first saw the light of day near Quaker Grove, this county,
not far from the Montgomery county line, January 23,. 1869, the son of James
M. and Elizabeth R. (Campbell) Jackson, the parents having come to Tippe-
canoe county in 1865 from Gallia county, Ohio. Their son, William M.,
grew up on the home farm, which he worked and attended the district schools
in the meantime. He remained on the farm until he was twenty-three years
old, although his parents moved to Lafayette when he was eighteen, William
M. desiring to farm with his brother-in-law. Farming, however, soon lost
its charm for him and in 1892 and 1893 he went into the grocery business
in Lafayette. Later he conducted a retail feed store for two years. Then
he worked one year for the Western Construction Company on street con-
tracts. In 1900 he began cement contracting for himself, starting in a small
way with very limited capital, but a good credit. He made bids for city
work and got contracts thereby. He began building sidewalks, then street
construction and sewers and bridges, making a success in all and gradually
extending his business until he had a large force of men employed and was
constantly engaged on some large and important work. In 1907 he built
South Eighteenth street from Kossuth street to the city limits. In 1906 the
Lafayette Fuel and Builders' Supply Company was organized with a capital
stock of ten thousand dollars, and Mr. Jackson was elected president of the
same, which position he still holds, managing the affairs of the company in a
manner as to insure abundant success and to stamp him as a business man of
no mean ability and sagacity. In 1903 Mr. Jackson put down cement side-
walks and curb and gutters from Main street bridge to Purdue University.
In that year he erected his commodious, modern and beautiful home on East
Kossuth street where he now resides. He works now principally on private
construction work, having become one of the most popular contractors in the
county, owing to the fact that he guarantees all his work and is quick to
make good any defect. He does not go into debt except as an investment, and
he always meets his obligations promptly. He believes that hard work and
good management will always win, and this has been the secret of his large
success. He deserves a great deal of credit for what he has done, but he is
unpretentious, plain, kind and generous.
Mr. Jackson was married July 19. 1899. to Nellie G. Baker, of Lafayette.
and to this union two sons have been born, namelv : Earl Linden and Law-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 565
rence M. The Jackson household is a mutually happy and hospitable one,
popular among a wide circle of friends.
In politics, Mr. Jackson is a Republican and is a member of the town-
ship advisory board. In 1906 he was nominated by his party for township
trustee, but by reason of unusual circumstances, he was defeated after a very
spirited contest. In his fraternal relations he is a member of Lafayette Lodge,
No. 123, Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the Improved
Order of Red Men and the Woodmen of the World.
FREDERICK DORNER.
The German element in America's national life has contributed much to
the country's material prosperity, being felt as a potential force along in-
dustrial, commercial and agricultural lines, to say nothing of the important
place it occupies in the arts and sciences and its influence in the military, edu-
cational and religious circles, as well as in the domain of politics. A fine
representative of this nationality is found in Frederick Dorner, whose name is
known nationally, having built up a lucrative and extensive business in the
pleasant science of floriculture in which he seems to have much more than
ordinary ability, both natural and cultivated, as we shall see by a perusal of the
following paragraphs. r"21'^^-^
Mr. Dorner's birth occurred in Baden, Germany, November 29, 1837,
the son of Frederick and Christine Dorner, who are remembered as honest
and industrious people, of the better class of Germans. When eighteen years
of age, Frederick decided that the great republic across the sea held greater
possibilities for a lad of his temperament than his home land, consequently
he set sail for the United States, coming directly to Lafayette, Indiana, where
a brother, Philip, had previously settled. Since his arrival here in 1855 Fred-
erick Dorner has noted many extensive changes and played well his part in
the subsequent business expansion. Very early in life he was a lover of
nature, having something of the poetic temperament in that he loved flowers,
herbs, shrubs, etc., liked to see them grow and to cultivate them, but, unlike
the poet, he also saw the great commercial side of this prodigal beauty of
plant life and sought to turn it into account, with the result that he began
working for the florist Lloyd, with whom he remained for a time, then
worked at other things until he had a start.
On March 2, 1861, Mr. Dorner chose a life partner in the person of
Marguerita Eihl, daughter of Lawrence Eihl, of Lafayette. Her father after-
566 PAST AND PRESENT
wards bought and operated the Peters mill on ^^'ild Cat creek. The Eihl
family is an old and highly respected one.
After following farming for a time, Mr. Dorner, in 1865, went to Wis-
consin where he followed farming until 1870, in which year he returned to
Lafayette and started a florist business at Gaasch's Garden on Underwood
street, where there were already greenhouses, which he rented. About 1875
he moved to the south side of Indiana avenue, renting ground at Nineteenth
street of Moses Fowler in what is now known at the Echo addition. Here
he built a greenhouse and carried on his business in a very successful manner,
but upon the death of Mr. Fowler he moved, buying land of Martin L.
Peirce, consisting of nine acres on Indiana avenue. This was in 1900, and
since that time he has added to his original purchase from year to year until
his holdings at present are not only extensive but very valuable. In 1905, Mr.
Dorner purchased twenty-four acres at Twenty-fourth street and Indiana
avenue and built greenhouses there. Mrs. John Heath was the former owner
of this property. When Mr. Dorner started in business at Nineteenth street
and the north side of Indiana avenue he had three houses and about seven
thousand square feet of glass. This was in 1890. The growth of his busi-
ness since that date has been phenomenal and is gradually increasing. He
now has one hundred thousand square feet of glass, and his residence at
Nineteenth street and Indiana avenue is one of the attractive homes of Lafay-
ette, being modern, commodious and in the midst of the most attractive
grounds in this locality, surrounded by broad lawns, with winding walks, many
kinds of rare and beautiful shade trees surrounding the home, which in every
way is an ideal one. Mr. Dorner has a down-town office and retail establish-
ment at No. 640 Main street, which is usually a busy place. Since 1890 he
has made a specialty of growing carnations, and no finer specimens than
those produced in his greenhouses are to be found anywhere ; their beauty and
quality have become so widely known that his shipments extend from the
Great Lakes to the Gulf and from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans. He has
been quite successful in the culture of new varieties of this favorite flower.
Thirteen children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dorner, four sons and
three daughters of which number are now living, six having died in
early life, three in infancy. Frederick died when two years old; Margaret
died when seven years of age : Christine reached the age of twenty-one before
summoned to the silent land; those living are: Fred E.. Jr., married Ida
Prass and they are the parents of two children. Dorothy and Fred. Theodore
A. married Lillian Harrington, of Lafayette, and they are the parents of two
children, Catherine and Lucile. Herman B. : William Philip; Emily is at
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 567
home ; Anna married Fred E. Hudson, who assists Mr. Dorner in the green-
house, and he and his wife are the parents of one child, James Frederick;
Emma married Claude Riddle and lives in Los Angeles, California ; they are
the parents of three children, George, Margaret and Claude. Fred, Theodore,
Emily, Anna and Emma, also Fred Hudson are stockholders in the business
conducted by Mr. Dorner. Herman Dorner is professor of floriculture at
Urbana, Illinois, in the horticultural department of the college there. William
Dorner is living at home and is attending Purdue University.
Mr. Dorner's business was incorporated in 1896 under the laws of the
state, the officers being as follows: Frederick Dorner. Sr., president; Theo-
dore Dorner, vice-president; Fred E. Dorner. Jr.. secretary and treasurer.
No family in Lafayette is better known or bears a better reputation than
that of the Dorners, each member of which holds high rank, both in business
and social circles.
JOHN SCHXAIBLE.
A well-known and influential business man in Lafayette. Indiana, is
John Schnaible, a man who is deserving of great credit for what he has
accomplished owing to the fact that he has been compelled to overcome in-
numerable obstacles that have thwarted his pathway from early childhood, but
being possessed of those innate characteristics that always make for success
despite adversity, he has pushed aside all hindering causes that would have a
tendency to deflect his course from the true goal he has sought, and he is
today president of a large and constantly growing manufacturing concern,
built up very largely through his untiring efforts — the M. & J. Schnaible
Company, soap manufacturers.
John Schnaible was born July 30, 1837, in Wurttemberg, Germany, the
son of Michael and Dorothea Schnaible. who. in 1853, started from their
old home in the Fatherland to the newer republic of the west, and after a
disastrous voyage of forty-seven days. Mrs. Schnaible and her five children
landed in the harbor of New York, the father and one child. Jacob, having
died on the way over of cholera which invaded the ship, taking forty-seven
of its passengers. Also a brother of IMichael, Sr., fell a victim to the dread
scourge. The children who sur\-ived were Margaret. John, George, Michael
and Matt. John had the cholera but recovered. Three other members of
this family of Schnaible children had died before the family left Germany.
In February. 1854. i\Irs. Dorothea Schnaible and her voung children
568 PAST AND PRESENT
penetrated into the interior, coming to Lafayette, Indiana. Their means hav-
ing been nearly exhausted, the children that were old enough to work sought
employment at whatever they could get to do. Michael found em-
ployment in a little soap factory and this was the beginning of the interesting
and successful career of the Schnaible brothers in this line of business. His
brother, John, found employment in the same factory in 1858. These brothers
worked hard and saved their money until ten years later. In 1868 they were
enabled to purchase the plant and went into business for themselves under the
name of M. & J. Schnaible, and by judicious management the plant has grad-
ually grown until today its products are well known and eagerly sought after
in a wide territory, their plant being equipped with all modern appliances and
managed with a superb system. It became necessary for them to build a brick
building in which to house their factory. Later they found it necessary to
add on a large addition. In the spring of 1899 the business had been incor-
porated under the name of M. & J. Schnaible Company and other members of
the family were taken in. The firm manufactures laundry soaps exclusively,
among their best known brands being "Star City," "Daylight" and "Does-it-
Easy Naptha." Their trade extends over all Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, Iowa,
Kentucky, Alabama ; also a part of West Virginia and other states.
When the Schnaible family landed in America John Schnaible, of this
re\iew, was sixteen years old. He had attended school in Germany and
spent his early boyhood on the farm. On August 18, 1869, he was united in
marriage with Mary ]\Iertz. of Baden, and this union has resulted in the birth
of three children, two of whom died in infancy, and the other, a boy named
Willie, died in childhood.
Mr. and INIrs. Schnaible are members of the German Lutheran church, in
which the former has been an elder for many years. In politics he is a Demo-
crat. Mr. and Mrs. Schnaible have a neat and comfortable home. They are
kind, hospitable, hard workers. In the summer of 1909 they took an enjoy-
able trip to the Pacific coast, visiting California and Washington.
SAMUEL PROBASCO BAIRD.
Samuel Prol)a.sco Baird is a son of Zebulon and Martha M. (Probasco)
Baird. He was born in Lafayette and has lived there continuously except
during the period of his engagement abroad in the service of his country. He
was educated in the common and private schools of Lafayette until 1861,
when he entered the L'nited States Xaval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland,
/«^^;^:^/X^-
The Century Hih.2i
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 569
remaining there four years. In 1865 he was graduated with honor and became
a fuU-fledged midshipman in the navy of the United States. The following
year he was ordered for duty as a midshipman on board the United States
ship "Pensacola," commanded by Capt. John L. Worden, of "Monitor" fame.
The "Pensacola" sailed from New York for the North Pacific station, and,
after visiting the most important seaports on both coasts of South America,
arrived at San Francisco in 1867. Here Mr. Baird received his commission
as ensign and was detached from the "Pensacola" and ordered for duty as an
officer of the deck, on board the United States ship "Resaca." Within a few
months he became navigating officer of this ship and in less than a year its
executive officer, and while on duty aboard the "Resaca" he was promoted
from ensign to master and from master to lieutenant. During this period the
"Resaca" was employed in cruising along' the west coast of Mexico, and, hav-
ing seen much hard service, she was ordered to Mare Island navy yard, San
Francisco, for repairs. The executive officer of a man-of-war is always held
responsible for the general condition of his ship and the discipline and efficiency
of its officers and crew. Although Lieutenant Baird was the youngest among
all the executive officers of the fleet, both in years and length of service, yet
his ship and crew were always considered in every respect equal to the best.
In July, 1869, Lieutenant Baird was ordered East, and, after a short leave of
absence, was assigned to duty at the Boston navy yard. Subsequently he
served at Mound City, New Orleans and Key West. on iron-clad duty. In
1 87 1 he was ordered to the United States Naval Academy as instructor in
seamanship and naval tactics at the request of Admiral Worden, who was
then superintendent of the academy and had been captain of the "Pensacola"
when Mr. Baird served on her as midshipman. After filling the position one
year, he obtained a leave of absence and soon afterward resigned his com-
mission as lieutenant in the navy in order to take up the practice of law in
Lafayette. Mr. Baird had long contemplated this step, and for several
years before resigning devoted to the study of law all of his time not required
for the performance of his official duties, and in this way qualified himself
for admission to the bar. He had become convinced that the active pur-
suits of civil life, in a congenial profession, would be preferable to the duties
of an officer of the navy in time of peace. He entered upon the practice of
the law as a partner and under the guidance of his father and to the instruc-
tion thus received at the threshold of his career as a practitioner. Mr. Baird
ascribes a large measure of his success at the bar. After the death of his
father, in 1877, he practiced alone for ten years and then formed a partner-
ship with \y. DeWitt Wallace, which continued until the latter was elected
5/0 PAST AND PRESENT
judge of the superior court in 1894. Since that time he has carried on his
practice alone. Mr. Baird has devoted himself to the law without reserve and
has neither held nor sought political office. His practice has been principally
in the courts of Tippecanoe and adjoining counties and in the supreme court.
In the management and trial of cases he has been associated with or pitted
against the leading lawyers of Indiana and adjacent states, and he has been
engaged as counsel in most of the important litigation in his section of the
state during the last twenty years. His personal character is irreproachable.
In 1881, Mr. Baird married Elizabeth D. Rochester, daughter of the late
William K. Rochester, Esq., of Lafayette. They had one child, a son,
Rochester Baird. Mrs. Baird died on May 27. 1903.
In 1906, Rochester Baird graduated from the Indiana University, receiv-
ing the degree of Bachelor of Laws, and was admitted to the bar by the
supreme court and the United States district court for the state of Indinna.
Following in the footsteps of his grandfather and father, he commenced and
is now engaged in the practice of his chosen profession at Lafavette.
HUGH SEABAUGH JAMISON.
One of Lafayette's honored and well-known business men is Hugh S.
Jamison, a descendant of sterling pioneer ancestry, he himself having come
down to the present generation from pioneer days and has played well his
part in the subsequent development of this favored section of the great
Hoosier state from its wildernesses to present-day opulent prosperity. He
was born November 21, 1837, at Greensburg, Indiana, the son of Martin
and Margaret (Freeman) Jamison. The former's father was also named
Martin, his wife having borne the name of Barbara. They came from Greens-
burg, Pennsylvania, about 1820, and settled near the present city of Greens-
burg, Indiana. Martin Jamison, Jr., was born in Washington county, Penn-
sylvania, in 1806, in which county his wife, Margaret Freeman, was also
born, in 1812. They made a toilsome journey across the mountains to
Indiana and settled on the present i^ublic square of Greensl)nrg, the surround-
ings then being decidedly wild and primitive, but they lived to see its wondrous
improvements, doing their just share of the work of development. Martin
Jamison, Jr., is remembered as a man of unusual natural ability. He had
a good education and was an able lawyer for those days, becoming prominent
in pfiliticnl affairs, having ably represented Decatur countv in tlie sessions
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 571
of the legislature from 1839 to 1842, inclusive, during which time he wrought
a great influence for the good of his constituents. He was a staunch Whig and
an admirer and supporter of Henry Clay. Before he began practicing law he
followed merchandising for a time, bringing his goods from New York or
Philadelphia by stage, and he sent back produce to pay for the same. After
he began the practice of law he filled his appointments at various courts,
however remote, riding thereto on horseback. He was a forceful speaker,
well versed in the tenets of the law, and was very popular over his district.
To Mr. and Mrs. Martin Jamison, Jr., the following children were born:
John, Cynthia A. (who married John P. Hittle), Sarah, Hugh S. and Wil-
liam. Of these only Hugh S., of this review, survives. Up to 1884 the
latter lived in Greensburg most of the time and engaged in the clothing and
dry goods business in that city from 1865 for several years. In 1877 he
entered the music business in that place and continued in the same until 1880,
when for two years he was manager of a large clothing store. He made a
success of all these lines, owing to his innate business qualifications, but the
confinement in the clothing store was bad for his health and he returned to the
music business, which he continued until 1884, in which year he disposed of
his interests at Greensburg and came to Lafayette. He was salesman for two
years for one music store in this city and eleven years for another, then, after
spending two years as salesman for a third music store, he went into business
for himself, in 1897. He has been successfully engaged in the music business
on North Ninth street for more than ten years, during which time he has
enjoyed a large and extensive patronage. He has a neat, well-kept and at-
tractive store, stocked with various grades and types of musical instruments,
his stock always being carefully selected.
Mr. Jamison was united in marriage, December 13, 1866, with Ella Nora
Barnes, of Greensburg, Indiana, the daughter of Turner and Miriam Barnes.
Mr. Barnes, who was a soldier in the Civil war, is still living at the advanced
age of eighty-five years. He was a member of the famous Wilder's Brigade.
He is a man of exceptionally clean character, and he is in possession of all
his faculties, possesses a steadv hand, a clear brain and an excellent memory.
To Mr. and Mrs. Jamison four children ha\-e been born, three of whom
are living, namely : Lafayette Freeman, of New York, engaged in the broker-
age business ; James Blaine, who graduated in pharmacy at Purdue Univer-
sity in 1903, is now in Boston, Massachusetts, also engaged in the brokerage
business; Genevieve is now the wife of William E. Kurtz, a well-known
business man in Indianapolis; Cynthia Elbert, who died February 12. 1889,
was the wife of Harry P. Dodd, a traveling auditor on the Lake Erie railroad.
572 PAST AND PRESENT
In 1908 Mr. Jamison built a new home on North Ninth street which is
worthy of brief mention. There are larger and costher dweUings in Lafayette,
but few calculated to be the source of more genuine home comforts in the
fullest sense. It stands on high ground in an excellent neighborhood; the
rooms are all well lighted and exceptionally well ventilated; the upstairs is
finished in light wood of high grade, many parts showing a beautiful velvety
grain. It is equipped with the latest and best system of plumbing, the linen
closets and kitchen being especially convenient. Steam heat is generated
in the large cemented basement which underlies the whole house. The large
front room, reception hall and another room are all connected by broad open
doorways, on either side of which are columns of golden oak. A large open
fireplace, with attractive finishings, greets the visitor, who is delighted with
both the symmetry and convenience of the interior. The house is lighted
by both gas and electricity. Here genuine hospitality and good cheer ever
prevail, for Mr. and Mrs. Jamison are generous, frank, kind and courteous,
making all feel at home who cross their threshold. By good management
and economy they have accumulated a comfortable fortune, and they are in
every way deserving of the high esteem in which they are held by all who
know them.
THOMAS JEFFERSON BARNES.
A worthy scion of distinguished and sterling ancestors is Thomas Jef-
ferson Barnes, son of Samuel Barnes and grandson of John Barnes. Samuel
lived on a farm in Tippecanoe township, this county, all his life from the
time he came here in November, 1848, until his death, March 14, 1S63,
having developed an excellent farm. He married Nancy Rice, who survived
him until May 31, 1885. Samuel Barnes was the son of John and Elizabeth
(Boydston) Barnes, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of one of
the Carolinas. When John Barnes was eight years old he rode on a steam-
boat invented by his uncle twenty years before Robert Fulton, the supposed
first inventor of the steamboat, got his patent. This uncle. Joseph Barnes,
died in London, where he was detained for life by the British government
because he was apprehended trying to deport mechanics to work on his boat,
then building in America.
John Barnes, mentioned above, the grandfather of Thomas J. Barnes,
was a son of John Barnes, who came from England when a young man and
settled in \'irginia near Harper's Ferry. He enlisted at the beginning of the
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 573
Revolutionary war, was promoted to captain, and served as such until the
close of the war. The Boydstons were also of Revolutionary stock.
Thomas J. Barnes was born in Pike county, Ohio, August 21, 1847. I"
November of the following year the Barnes family moved to Tippecanoe county
locating on a farm in Tippecanoe township, two and three-fourths miles north-
east of Battle Ground in the north end of Burnett's Reserve. The farm con-
sisted of four hundred and sixty-five acres. It was on this place that Thomas
J. grew to maturity, on which he worked during the summer months, attend-
ing the subscription schools in the winter, also went to the collegiate insti-
tute at Battle Ground, receiving a good education and remaining upon the
home farm until 1882. In November of that year he was elected county
auditor, serving very creditably for four years, in fact, so faithfully did he
discharge the duties of this office that he was re-elected for a term of four
more years in 1886. In 1891 he started in the hardware business, having
entered into partnership with Cyrenius Johnson, who had been in busines,s
a number of years previously, the firm name being then changed to The John-
son-Barnes Hardware Company. Mr. Barnes continued in that line until
March, 1898, when he formed a partnership with Charles W. Bone in the
real estate business, in which Mr. Barnes has been engaged ever since, having
built up an extensive business by reason of close application to individual
affairs. For several years he has devoted considerable attention to emigration
to the irrigated lands of the Denver-Greeley district in Colorado. In March,
1909, Mr. Barnes was appointed president of the board of police commis-
sioners in Lafayette for a term of three years, which position he is holding in a
manner that is winning the hearty approval of all concerned.
November 21, 1872. Mr. Barnes was united in marriage with Mary H.
Mason, the daughter of E. P. Mason, of Brookston, White county, Indiana.
Mr. Mason was one of the old and highly respected pioneers of Tippecanoe
county, having come here fom Vermont, in which state he was born. He
lived for a short time near Romney, this county, then moved to Lafayette
where he conducted the Mason House. To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Barnes
five children have been born, namely : Gertrude Mason, Mary Grace, Thomas
J., Jr., Lois Christine and Helen Virginia. These children are receiving all
the advantages possible in the way of education, etc. The Barnes residence is
a comfortable and pleasantly located one.
Mr. Barnes, in his fraternal relations, belongs to the Free and Accepted
Masons, having taken the Knight Templar degrees. A criterion of his high
standing in Tippecanoe county is found in the fact that he is the first Demo-
crat ever elected countv auditor, and he was the first one to hold the office
574 PAST AND PRESENT
two terms consecutively, and only one other man has done so since then. He
has been several times president of the Jackson Club, and is a charter member
of the Lafayette Club. He is a well read man, keeping well abreast of the
times in current events and the best literary topics, having a large and care-
fully selected library. His daughters and son, who are all favorites in the
younger social set of the city, are also of studious dispositions. Owing to
Mr. Barnes's ancestors having fought in the Revolutionary war, his daughter,
Gi ace, is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and Thomas
J. Barnes, Jr., is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. No
citizen in the county is better or more favorably known that Mr. Barnes.
WILLIA^I A. ROBERTS.
A man deserving of much credit for what he has accomplished in the
world of business, considering his early environments, is William A. Roberts,
whose name needs no introduction to the people of Tippecanoe county where
his active and useful life has been spent, having been born in the city of
Lafayette, September 26, 1854, the son of James and Philinda (Packard)
Roberts. The former was a native of Pennsylvania who came to Lafayette,
Indiana, as early as 1834. He was a cabinetmaker by trade and conducted
the first cabinetmaker's shop of any consequence in this part of the state.
A very skilled workman, he found a ready sale for what he produced in this
line. He became well known here, and he was a man of such high integrity
that after his deatli his son was accepted without question by a judge of the
court when told that he was the son of James Roberts. Philinda Pickard,
before her marriage to James Roberts, came from the state of New York
about 1845. ^"d went into the millinery business for herself in Lafayette,
being a leader here in her line.
When William A. Roberts was about ten years old his mother died, and
he was thus deprived of her loving care, forced to stand against the world
without her to champion his rights, but this he did right bravely, thus fostering
that independence of spirit, that ability to "go it alone" which has contributed
much to his subsequent success. His father was ever solicitous of his welfare,
however, and gave him an education. He attended the old Central school
at Sixth and Brown streets in Lafayette, now called the Centennial school.
After leaving that school he attended a private school for some time, then
went to Stockwell Collegiate Institute, which, at that time, was a noted insti-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 575
tution with four hundred pupils. In later years the school lost its prestige
and, in 1895, Mr. Roberts became the owner of the building and grounds
where he had spent the latter days of his school life. He demolished the
old building and platted the grounds into town lots. After he had finished
his course at Stockwell he went to Thorntown, where he was employed in
the drug business for a period of si.x years. Although he prospered at this.
he returned to Lafayette believing that better opportunities existed for him
in his native city than elsewhere, and he was then employed in the grocery
business for about two years. Then seeing an opening at Zionsville, Indiana.
he spent the next seven years in that town where he and his brother-in-law
conducted a general store, building up an extensive trade in the meantime.
Here his health failed and he took up railroad work, having studied civil
engineering at Stockwell College, and he began running levels in railroad
construction work in this locality. In a short time, however, he went in
Pennsylvania where he was with a corps of engineers on a preliminary sur\ey
for a proposed narrow gauge railroad from Pittsburg to Philadelphia. This
work lasted for about a year and six months. Upon returning to Tippecanoe
county Mr. Roberts bought a farm at Stockwell and lived there until 1897.
In that year he was appointed superintendent of the county asylum, in which
position he remained for a period of nine years, rendering entire satisfaction
to all concerned, leaving the institution in the fall of 1905 when he mo\-ed
to Lafayette and took a position as superintendent for the Western Con-
struction Company. In February, 1906, he was appointed police commissioner
in this city. Soon after taking office he found that the salaries and condi-
tions regidating the employment of policemen were inadequate, and that the
service would necessarily be unsatisfactory unless a change was instituted.
He appealed to Governor Hanly and secured a raise in salaries to a fair basis,
and also got other conditions changed tending to the betterment of the depart-
ment. In recognition of his services in this connection the local police force
presented Mr. Roberts a beautiful gold badge. In 1908 Mr. Rol>erts was
chairman of the Republican county central committee, and largely due to his
efficient management of the local affairs of the party the whole county ticket
was elected and there was also a gain of two township trustees to liis credit
for the party.
Mr. Roberts was married, in 1877, to Ella J. Rash, whose home was near
Linden. Montgomery county, and to this union four children have been born,
namely: Laura A., James L., Harriett E. and W. Albert. They constitute
a happy and mutuallv helpful household at the pleasant home which Mr,
Poberts purchased in 1906 in Highland Park section of the city. It !■; a
576 PAST AND PRESENT
modern and attractive dwelling surrounded by well kept lawns. ]\Ir. Roberts
is the owner of a very valuable and highly improved farm of two hundred
acres, located a mile west of Stockwell. The soil is rich and yields abundant
harvests, the place is kept well stocked and on it stand substantial and com-
fortable buildings.
Mr. Roberts is a Mason of high standing, having passed through both
the York rite and Scottish rite ; he also belongs to the Ancient Arabic Order
of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine ; also the Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks, the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
having passed through all the chairs, attended the grand lodge in 1879 ^"<^
the grand encampment in 1883, and in 1896 he was a member of the sovereign
lodge of the world. And in all these great orders Mr. Roberts has become
well known and one would judge from his daily walk among his fellowmen
that he makes an effort to exemplify their sublime teachings. He is also a
member of the Christian church. Personally, he is a man of genial but
positive character, straightforward, generous, self-reliant and reliable, conse-
quently no man in Tippecanoe county holds higher rank as a citizen.
WILLIAM WALLACE.
The career of the honored subject of this sketch indicates the clear-cut,
sane and distinct character and in reviewing the same, consistencv demands
that he be given distinctive precedence as a captain of industry and a con-
spicuous place among the men of action whose labors and influence permeate
the industrial and civic life not only of the city for whose growth and prog-
ress he has done so much, but of a number of other populous centers in
various parts of the state of his adoption.
William Wallace is a native of Scotland, born near the old historic city
of Edinburgh, January 19, 1841. In 1852 the family, consisting of the par-
ents, Adam and Rose (Bee) Wallace, and several children, emigrated to the
United States and went direct to Cincinnati, Ohio, where two of the subject's
brothers and a sister had previously located, he being about eleven years old
at the time. During the ensuing three or four years, young William attended
the schools of that city and on laying aside his books entered upon an appren-
ticeship with the old firm of John B. & T. Gibson to learn the plumbing
business, to which he devoted the five years following. The Civil war break-
ing out about the time he completed his apprenticeship, he enlisted in the
Benton Cadets, an independent organization under General Fremont, selected
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 577
for his body-guard and which during the General's operations in Missouri
rendered vakiable service in helping rid the state of the Confederate forces.
When Halleck superseded Fremont the company disbanded, quite a number
of the men joining other commands, while others returned to their homes,
among the latter being Mr. Wallace, who shortly after his discharge entered
the employ of Mr. Hattersley, of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, who kept the only
plumbing establishment in that city at that time. The Aveline Hotel (since
burned) was then in the process of construction, also the Allen county court
house. The plumbing of both buildings falling to Mr. Hattersley, Mr. Wal-
lace was intrusted with the task of installing the same, and it is needless to
state that the work was performed per contract to the satisfaction of all con-
cerned.
In October, 1864, Mr. Wallace came to Lafayette with the view of locating,
but after spending two or three months in the city he went to Terre Haute,
which he supposed presented a more favorable opening for his line of work.
After looking over the field there and carefully considering conditions, he
finally decided to choose the former place and accordingly -returned to La-
fayette and in due time established a small plumbing business. For lack of
necessary capital this was conducted on rather a modest scale until the close
of the war, when his brother James, who had served in the army, became
his partner. The two served apprenticeships at the same time and with the
same Cincinnati firm, both being skillful mechanics and well qualified for
the duties which now devolved upon them. About that time the Lafayette
Gas Company began a series of improvements and, requiring the services
of a competent man, the subject was induced to enter their employ. Soon
after engaging with the company he was tendered the superintendency of the
works in the city, which position he accepted on condition that he be allowed
to continue his plumbing business and carry it along with his other under-
takings. He had done considerable work for the gas company at Ft. Wayne
prior to his removal to Lafayette, hence was no novice when he accepted the
superintendency and entered upon the- duties of the position. In 1874, when
the city of Lafayette began operations for a system of water works, he Ijecame
the successful bidder and secured the contract for laying the mains in the
city, and constructing the reservoir, which was carried on under very discour-
aging circumstances, owing to an almost unprecedented rainfall which inter-
fered materially with the work, but which was carried to completion in due
time. In the month of August the river rose to such a height that the water
on the levee was six feet deep, while other parts of the city through which
the mains extended were also sulinier^-ed. causinL-; much delay in the nrittcr ni
(37)
578 PAST AND PRESENT
excavating and rendering work on the reservoir exceedingly ditificult. Not-
withstanding these hindrances. Mr. Wallace addressed himself resolutely to
the task in hand, and ere the close of the season finished the undertaking
according to the terms of the contract, with a liberal margin for his profits.
When work began on Purdue University, Air. Wallace was employed to
superintend the construction of the sewerage and water supply systems, in ad-
dition to which he was also awarded the contract for heating several of the
buildings. He carried the work forward as rapidly as circumstances would
admit and after its successful completion he located and laid out the gas plant
for the institution. The university has since grown so rapidly as to render
much of the work at the time indicated obsolete, the gas plant having been
abandoned a number of years ago, since which time the institution's gas sup-
ply has been provided by the Lafayette company.
The gas works, which Mr. Wallace still superintends, has enjoyed a
rapid and substantial growth, its patronage increasing from three hundred con-
sumers to more than four thousand, to supply whom sixty miles of mains are
required, the plant being a model of its kind and of sufficient capacity to meet
much more than the present demand. The company also operates plants in
about a dozen other cities in northern Indiana and northwestern Ohio, all
fully up-to-date and equipped with the latest results of inventive genius for
the manufacture and distribution of gas, these as well as the principal estab-
lishment at Lafayette being subject to the oversight of Mr. Wallace, who
visits them when necessary and suggests such additions and improvements
as are needful.
The Wallace Machine and Foundry Company of Lafayette, witli which
the subject is itlentified, was established about 1888 or 1889 by William Wal-
lace and his son, Robert B. Wallace, who began operations in abuildingerecteil
for the purpose on Second street, but meeting with a severe loss by fire a
little later, they purchased a part of the old car works on Third street which
they refitted and equipped with first-class machinery and other appliances,
this plant with two or three acres of ground surrounding affording ample
facilities for the s'.:ccessful prosecution of their hrge and rapidlv growing
business. The company has an extensive trade in structural and architectural
iron, which they manufacture in large quantities and ship to various ]iarts of
Indiana. Illinois. Ohio and other states, besides doing general tVnmdrv and
machine shop work. The company is in a flourishing condition and under
the presidency of William Wallace bids fair to grow to still larger propor-
tions and continue in the future as in the past one of the leading industrial
enterprises of the city.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 579
The plumbing establishment of Wallace Brothers Company, which he
and his brother James started in Lafayette when he first came to the city,
does a large and lucrative business in that line. He continues as president
of the company, while George B. Wallace is secretary and acting manager.
This company employs none but skillful artisans and its reputation for the
high standard of all work has brought a patronage which from the beginning
has steadily increased.
Aside from his manufacturing and industrial interests Mr. Wallace
is actively identified with various other lines of enterprise which have tended
greatly to the advancement and welfare of Lafayette. Durng the last quarter
of a century he has been connected with the First National Bank of this city,
and since 1891 has been the efficient and honored vice-president of the same,
also one of its heavy stockholders. In the year 1899 he assisted in estab-
lishing the Lafa3rette Loan and Trust Company, and was elected president
of the organization, which position he still worthily holds. He is also a
director of the Sterling Electric Company, of his home city, and, with a
nephew, is interested in the milling business at the town of Dale, in Spencer
county, this state, being half owner of the plant and president of the com-
pany by which it is operated. For some years he has been quite extensively
interested in street railway and interurban traction lines, in which, with the
Murdocks, he has large holdings in Evansville and South Bend, to say noth-
ing of various other enterprises of less but by no means negative importance.
The married life of Mr. Wallace dates from the year 1867, when Miss
Catherine Wilson became his wife, the ceremony having been solemnized
in the city of Cincinnati, where the parents of the bride settled when they
immigrated to the United States from their native country, Scotland. Mr.
and Mrs. Wallace have had six children, one of whom died in infancy ; those
living are Mrs. Henry Brockenbrough ; Robert B. ; Mrs. Rose Van Natta ;
Roy W. and Belle, the two sons being interested with their father in the
foundry and machine shop business. Robert B. Wallace was educated at
Purdue University, of which he was an early student and one of the first of
that institution to take a mechanical course. He is now manager of the
Wallace Machine and Foundry Company, of Lafayette, and one of the most
thorough mechanics in the city. Roy is a well educated and accomplished
young man and as a mechanical engineer has few equals and no superiors in
the city of his residence. He was graduated from Purdue and Cornell Uni-
versities and since becoming interested in the a])ove company witli his father
and brother has been the mechanical engineer of the enterprise.
In his political proclivities, Mr. Wallace has ever been a Reuuhlican. but
580 PAST AND PRESENT
not a politician in tlie sense the term is usually understood, much less a seeker
after the honors and emoluments of office. He was reared a Presbyterian,
but of recent years has attended the Baptist church with his family, the latter
being members of the First Church of that body at Lafayette. Fraternally he
is identified with the Masonic order and from time to time has been honored
with important official positions in the local Blue lodge to which he belongs.
In the midst of the thronging cares of an exceptionally active and suc-
cessful career in the industrial and business world, Mr. Wallace has never
been else than the genial true-hearted friend and sincere straightforward
man, appreciative of the welfare of those with whom his lot has been cast,
regardless of the stations in life they hold. He has mingled much with men in
an executive capacity, and possesses the subtle yet readily understood power
of begetting loyalty on the part of those in his employ or working under his
direction, while his relations with those and others have ever been of the most
friendly and trustful character. No man in Lafayette is held in higher regard
as a citizen and few have done as much as he for the general welfare of the
city. In person he is above the average size, of a large, compact frame, unas-
suming in manner, easily approachable, and affable and kindly in conversation.
Frank, honest, industrious and by nature and training fitted to inaugurate
and carry to successful conclusion large and important enterprises, he has
stamped the impress of his individuality upon the community and is essentially
one of the representative men of the city in which he resides.
HUGH FLACK.
Hugh Flack is a native of Ireland and dates his birth from December 7,
1846. having first seen the light of day in county Cavan, which, for a number
of years, had been the home of his ancestors. His parents, Samuel and
Mary (Bell) Flack, came to the United States some time prior to the Civil
war and settled in New York, but about the year 1866 they migrated westward
as far as Tippecanoe county, Indiana, and engaged in agricultural pursuits.
The following year they were joined by their two sons. Hugh and John, who,
landing at New York on the first day of July, lost no time in proceeding on
their way to the new home in Indiana.
Shortly after his arrival in Tippecanoe county, Hugh Flack entered the
service of Samuel Meharry, a well-to-do farmer of the neighborhood of Shaw-
nee Mound, and a local minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, in whose
employ he continued for a p^iod of eight years, during which time he bus-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 581
banded his earnings with scrupulous care with the object in view of ultimately
becoming a tiller of the soil upon his own responsibility. Mr. Meharry, being
not only one of the leading farmers and representative citizens of the com-
munity but a man of large heart and generous impulses as well, took great
interest in the young gentleman, giving him the benefit of his counsel and
advice, which in after years resulted greatly to his advantage. While in the
employ of this excellent man, Mr. Flack made the acquaintance of an estimable
young lady by the name of Sarah Laugheed, a native of the same part of
Ireland in which he was born, but who had come to America some years
previous and at the time referred to was living with the family of G. N.
Meharry, a nephew of his employer. This acquaintance ripening into love,
finally resulted in a marriage, which was duly solemnized on the 15th day of
April, 1877, immediately after which Mr. Flack set up his domestic establish-
ment on the Meharry farm where he continued to reside as a renter during
the eight years ensuing.
Mrs. Flack's parents were Robert and Margaret (Ray) Laugheed, the
former a son of Adam Laugheed, a native of Scotland, who migrated to
Ireland in early manhood and settled in county Cavan, where his death sub-
sequently occurred at the remarkable age of one hundred and three years.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Laugheed reared their family and spent their lives
in the above county, their daughter, Sarah, having been born on November 2,
1846. Cast upon her own resources after the death of her parents, she
finally decided to seek her fortune in the great country across the sea. Ac-
cordingly, in 1867, she set sail and, landing in due time, made her way to
Tippecanoe county, Indiana, arriving at Shawnee Mound on February 14th
of that year and found employment and a good home with Mr. Meharry, as
already stated.
During the eight years that Mr. and Mrs. Flack occupied the Meharry
farm they labored untiringly and saved their earnings so that at the expira-
tion of that time they were enabled to purchase one hundred and twenty acres
of their own near Shawnee Mound, where, in due season, they began reaping
the results of their sowing in the condition of independence, which they have
ever since maintained. After a residence of nearly eight years on the above
farm, during which time the place was not only paid for but greatly enhanced
in value, Mr. Flack sold it and purchased one hundred seven and one-half
acres of fine land near Battle Ground on which he lived and prospered until
the spring of 1908, when he retired from active life to enjoy the fruits of his
many years of labor and good management. In all of his efforts to rise in the
world, Mr. Flack found an able and willing assistant in the person of his
faithful and devoted wife and helpmeet.
582 PAST AND PRESENT
In March, 1908, 'Sir. Flack turned his farm over to other hands and,
accompanied by his wife, revisited the home of his childhood in the beautiful
Emerald Isle, renewing many acquaintances with those whom he knew in
boyhood. After spending two months in the land of their birth, Mr. and Mrs.
Flack returned to the United States and since that time have been living
retired lives in the city of Lafayette, where they have a comfortable home
and numerous friends. Both are respected members of the Methodist Epis-
copal church and in his fraternal relations Mr. Flack belongs to the Masonic
lodge at Battle Ground, in which, from time to time, he has been honored
with important official positions.
i\Ir. and Mrs. Flack are the parents of four children, the oldest of whom,
a daughter by the name of Maggie Meharry, married C. B. Downes, who, in
1909. sold his farm in Tippecanoe county and moved to the Pan Handle of
Texas, where they now reside ; they have two sons, Russell and Glenn, and are"
well situated as far as material means are concerned. Mary Elizabeth, whose
birth occurred November 3, 1876, died on the 15th of the same month and year.
William, the third of the family, married Mary Norris, of Delphi, and is
the father of one child, a daughter named Marguerite. He is a farmer by
occupation and for some time past has been living on his father's home place
near Battle Ground. Luella, the fourth in order of birth, is the wife of
William Greenup, a member of the wealthy and widely known Greenup family
of Delphi, where she has lived since her marriage, being at this time the
mother of two interesting children, Nellie and Joe, aged nine and seven years,
respectively.
MATT SCHNAIBLE.
The advent of the Schnaible family in the New World was most dis-
couraging and apparently the future held nothing for them, when, after a
disastrous voyage in the summer of 1853, members of this family landed in
New York, having come from their native Germany to seek a better home in
free America. They had eked out a bare living in Wurttemberg, Germany,
for many years, and the father, Michael Schnaible, desiring to give his sons
a better opportunity than he had ever enjoyed, concluded that the wisest
thing for him to do was to establish a new home; but this was an unfortu-
nate decision, for during the voyage to this country cholera invaded the sail-
ing vessel and forty-seven of the passengers succumbed to the dread dis-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 583
ease, including Michael Schnaible and his son Jacob, his brother and his uncle,
all of whom were buried at sea. John Schnaible, who contracted the disease,
recovered, and the mother, Dorothea Schnaible, finished the voyage, which
required forty days, with her remaining children, Margaret, Michael, John,
George and Matt. Three of her children had died in the Fatherland. The
means of the family were nearly exhausted when they reached New York.
After spending a few months there, they started for the West in February,
1854, finally reaching Lafayette, Indiana, where the boys who were old
enough to work found employment of whatever nature they could to make
a living. Michael secured work in a small soap factory near the water works
and continued in the same until 1858. Being an observing boy, he learned
the business, as did also his brother John, who secured employment in the
same plant. Believing that they could make a success manufacturing soap
on their own account, they began business under the firm name of M. & J.
Schnaible Company, which eventually developed into a large business and
the family became well established, enjoying a good home and the comforts of
life.
Matt Schnaible was only a baby when the family brought him from
Germany, where he was born in 1853. He grew to manhood in Lafayette,
attended the Lutheran schools and also a business college, receiving a good
education. He first secured work as engineer in the Wabash elevator, which
establishment was built by the Wabash Railroad Company in 1857 and was
first operated by James Spears, who was succeeded by Morcy & Ball, and in
1875 by L E. Haviland. In 1876 Matt Schnaible, having mastered the
details of this business and having shown himself a capable employe in every
respect, was made manager, and in 1882 he became a partner in the concern
for which he had faithfully worked for a period of sixteen years, and the
firm name was I. E. Haviland Company. The business continued to prosper,
largely due to Mr. Schnaible's able management, and in about 1897 he bought
Mr. Haviland's interest, becoming sole owner. In 1904 he added a retail
coal business to his already extensive business, all of which is now incor-
porated under the name of Matt Schnaible Grain Company, which has become
widely known and is doing a large business. Besides the elevator at Lafay-
ette, Mr. Schnaible operates one at Shadeland, where he handles a large quan-
tity of grain from year to year, his combined business often running up to
very large figures, showing that he is by nature and training a business man
second to none in the thriving city of Lafayette.
Matt Schnaible was united in marriage with Katherine E. Sattler in
1880. She is the daughter of John Sattler, a prominent and influential busi-
584 I'AST AND PRESENT
ness man of Lafayette, a son of George Sattler. Both father and son were
born in Germany, John first seeing- the light of day in Hessen-Uarmstadt.
They came to America and located in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, alx)ut 1855.
John Sattler was for many years a leading tailor in Lafayette, became influen-
tial in business circles and was a trustee of the board of the Lafayette water
works, and for many years he was an officer in the Lutheran church.
To Mr. and Mrs. Matt Schnaible eight children have been born, of whom
one died in infancy. A daughter, Mrs. Adolph J. Lottes, lives in Chicago ;
Walter W. married Caroline Schurman, of Lafayette, and has one daughter
named Katherine. The other children are Albert F., vice-president of the
Shadeland Grain Company; Walter W., secretary and treasurer of the same
company; Oswald M. is a clerk in the Merchants' National Bank; Arthur T.,
Elmer A. and Raymond. These children all received careful training and
are well started in the successful battle of life.
Mr. Schnaible has long taken an active interest in the affairs of Lafay-
ette and Tippecanoe county, lending his aid wherever practicable in promot-
ing home interests. As a result of his public spirit he was in 1896 elected
a member of the city council. He and his family are members of the Luth-
eran church. Personally, Mr. Schnaible is frank, straightforward, courteous
and generous, a pleasant man to know.
ROBERT FOSTER HIGHT, A. B.
Prof. Robert F. Hight, superintendent of the Lafayette city schools, be-
longs to that class of middle-aged men who by thorough training and close
application to professional duties have come to be known as capable and front-
rank educators in this section of Indiana, He was born September 14, 1868,
at Bloomington, Indiana, a son of Milton and Sarah (McCalla) Hight. The
father graduated in law at the Indiana University in 1847, t)Ut never followed
his profession to any great extent, being induced to engage in business of
another character.
Professor Hight is descended from Revolutionary stock on both the
paternal and maternal sides. The Hight family originally came from Germany,
having emigrated to England, from which country they came to America. The
great-grandfather, Thomas Hight, enlisted in the Continental army from
North Carolina and was present at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. The
family removed from Carolina to Virginia in 1780 and subsequently moved
to Boyle county, Kentucky, and about 1820 to Indiana.
^'^/^y/t
Tll-PECANOE COUNTY, IND. 585
Oil the mother's side. Professor Hight is descended from the great-
grandfather, Thomas McCalla, who came from county Antrim, Ireland, when
an orphan boy. He enhsted in the Revolutionary army from Lancaster
county, Pennsylvania. In 1778 he moved to South Carolina and served under
Sumpter. He was captured and imprisoned, but later, through the efforts of
his wife, was released on parole. His wife (Sarah Wayne Gardiner) was a
cousin of Gen. Anthony Wayne. In 1835 the subject's grandfather removed
from South Carolina to Indiana, where the two Revolutionary families be-
came intermarried.
Prof. Robert F. Hight was educated in the public schools of Bloomington,
Indiana, and in 1888 took the degree of Bachelor of Arts at Indiana Univer-
sity, where he specialized in natural science, under D. S. Jordan, J. C. Branner,
Theophilus Wylie and Daniel Kirkwood. Having fully equipped himself for
the work of an educator, in the modern sense of the term, from 1888 to 1891
he was instructor in biology in the high school at Huntington, Indiana. From
1 89 1 to 1902 he held the same position in the high school of the city of La-
favette and from 1902 to 1904 he was principal of the high school at the last
named city. He had so conducted himself as an instructor in these city
school positions that in 1904 he was chosen the superintendent of the city
schools here, and is still serving in that capacity, to the entire satisfaction of
all interested.
Socially, Professor Hight is connected with various societies and clubs,
including Beta Theta Pi college fraternity; Lafayette Club; Parlor Club and
Lafayette Dramatic Club, of which he was the president in 1903. He has
worked as a dramatic writer, having been in charge of this department for
the Lafayette Morning Journal from 1896 to 1898.
Professor Hight was united in marriage June 3, 1897, to Elizabeth Puett
Comingore. Under Mr. Hight's charge the public schools of Lafayette, which
are second to none in North Indiana, have maintained their position. The
subject is the author of the chapter in this work on "Literary Characters of
Tippecanoe County."
WILLIAM O. CROUSE.
The well-known family of which William O. Crouse is an honora'ile
representative is traceable in this country to a remote period in the time of
the colonies, and many years prior to coming to the New World the ante-
cedents of the American branch were quite well known in \-arious ])arts of
586 PAST AND PRESENT
i •. •'
Germany, where the name appears to have originated. Simeon Grouse, the
first of the family of whom there is definite record, was doubtless a native
of Wittenberg, as he figured conspicuously in the musical circles of that city
and for some years was choir master of the church to which Martin Luther,
the Great Reformer, ministered. He was a musician of much more than
local repute ; taught in Wittenberg for many years and after losing his family
by the red plague, which sad event occurred when he was in mid-life, he
came about the year 1745 to America and located at Philadelphia, Pennsyl-
vania, where he subsequently re-married and reared a large family. He
was a strong supporter of the colonies in their struggle for independence, con-
tributing by every means in his power to their ultimate success. He gave
freely of his means, and sent four sons to the army, two of whom lost their
lives in the battle of Germantown. Simeon Grouse was a man of note and
influence in his adopted city and lived to a remarkable age, dying two days
prior to the hundredth anniversary of his birth. His youngest son. Henry,
whose birth occurred in Philadelphia, married Rachael Hebison, who bore
him ten children, three of whom in after years came to Tippecanoe county,
Indiana, namely : Simeon, John and David Hebison Grouse.
David Grouse, about the year 1845, located at Dayton, Indiana, where
he engaged in the practice of medicine and in due time became one of the
most successful and best known physicians and surgeons of that community.
He was thrice married and left children by two wives, one of his sons, Dr.
Jerome Grouse, serving with distinction in the Tenth Indiana Battery during
the late Givil war and subsequently achieving an enviable reputation in his
profession. He departed this life in the fall of 1908, honored and esteemed
by all who knew him.
Another son of Dr. David Grouse was Meigs V. Grouse, who entered
the ministry in early life, but later, by reason of the failure of his voice,
he was obliged to give up that calling and turn his attention to another line
of duty. For nearly thirty years he has been the efficient and popular super-
intendent of the Ghildren's Home at Gincinnati, and has made the institution
a model of its kind. Two daughters of Doctor Grouse are still living, Mrs.
Earl, who resides in Attica, Indiana, and Mrs. Victoria Burton, who occupies
the old family home in Dayton, Indiana.
John and Simeon Grouse came west much earlier than Doctor David,
both having settled in Tippecanoe county as long ago as 1827. the former
in Tippecanoe county and the latter on the edge of Shawnee Prairie, in what
is now the township of Jackson, where he took up a half section of land.
John also entered a like amount and in the course of time both bec^me well-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 587
to-do families and prominent citizens, doing much to promote the material
progress and social advancement of their respective communities.
Simeon Crouse was born in 1802, and when a young man married Anna
Christman, daughter of Peter and Sarah Christman, who moved to Indiana
in the early twenties from Raleigh, North Carolina, and settled in Warren
county, with the subsequent history of which Mr. Christman's life was closely
identified. Sarah Christman was the daughter of John Stout, who served
during the war of the Revolution as an officer of a New Jersey regiment and
achieved an honorable record as a brave and gallant soldier. The marriage
of Simeon Crouse and Anna Christman was solemnized in Union county, In-
diana, about the year 1825, some time before he became a resident of the
county of Tippecanoe. Their children, three in number, were Francis M., born
in 1828; Lavina, in 1836; and William O., the subject of this review, whose
birth occurred in the year 1842.
Simeon Crouse followed agricultural pursuits all his life and, as already
indicated, became one of the leading farmers of his township as well as one
of its representative citizens. He departed this life in 1874 and left to his
descendants the memory of an honorable name which they regard as a price-
less heritage. His children grew up in the country, attended the subscription
schools of their day and later rose to honorable positions in their respective
places of abode. Francis M. was in the book business at Lafayette for a
time, but disposing of his interests there went to Indianapolis, where he
established a large book store and became one of the leading dealers of the
city in that line of trade. He was a man of wide intelligence, profoundly
versed in the literature of all countries and all ages, and possessed remarkable
judgment as to the merits and value of old and rare books, of which he had
long been a collector. Quiet in demeanor and of kindly nature, he had many
warm friends, and his death, which occurred in Indianapolis in 1890, was
greatly deplored by the best people of the city.
Lavina Crouse married John Shelby and died in 1859.
William O. Crouse, the youngest of the children of Simeon and Anna
Crouse, spent the youthful years of his life in the township where he first
saw the light of day and was early taught the lessons of industry and
frugality which make for consecutive effort and permanent success in mater-
ial things, in addition to which he was also instructed in the principles of
truth and honor which in due time develop well-rounded character and fit
their possessor for the sterner realities of life. After finishing the common-
school course, he was planning to enter Wabash College, but the breaking out
of the great Civil war caused a radical change in his calculations, for instead
588 I'AST AXn I'RESENT
of prosecuting his studies further he resolved to tender his services to his
countr)' in its time of need. Enlisting in the Eighteenth Indiana Battery Light
Artillery, he was soon at the front where during the ensuing three years he
bore well his part in the great conflict which tested the perpetuity of the
government and earned a record for bravery of which any soldier might
well feel proud. Under the command of Capt. Eli Lilly, of Wilder's Brigade
of Mounted Infantry, the Eighteenth Battery passed through many unusually
trying and dangerous experiences. Supported by well-mounted and well-
armed men, under the command of oiificers of superior ability, it saw much
active service and was more frequently engaged than other batteries, the
brigade having been fifty-four times under fire, which included some of the
most noted battles of the war. Among the various engagements in which
Mr. Crouse participated were Hoover's Gap, Chattanooga, Alexander's Bridge,
Chickamauga, Ringgold, Resaca, Hopkinsville, Atlanta, Xashville. Selma.
West Point and many others. The battery started out with one hundred and
fifty men, and during its experience at the front three hundred more were
recruited from time to time, and on being mustered out at the close of the
war but twenty-six of the original force were left to tell the story of the many
deeds of daring which the gallant Eighteenth accomplished in defense of the
national union.
Returning home at the close of the war, Mr. Crouse entered into busi-
ness with his brother in the book business, which connection lasted several
years. During this period he contracted a matrimonial alliance with Sue X.
Barr, daughter of Abram and Catherine (Rush) Barr, who moved from Lan-
caster, Pennsylvania, in an early day, and were among the pioneer settlers of
Tippecanoe county. Mrs. Barr was a niece of the celebrated Dr. Benjamin
Rush, one of the most distinguished physicians of Philadelphia, in Revolu-
tionary times, and to him also belongs the honor of being one of the signers
of the Declaration of Independence. Mrs. Crouse comes from a distinguished
ancestry. Her father's people trace their line direct to Maurice Grauf, one
of the heroic defenders of the city of Leyden in Holland in 1574. Her
mother's people are lineal descendants from Capt. John Rush, an officer of
horse in Cromwell's army, who emigrated to this country from England with
William Penn in 1683, and settled near what is now Philadelphia. Mr. and
Mrs. Crouse have one child, a daughter, who answers to the name of Bertha
Barr Crouse, and who, with her parents, constitute an interesting and mutuallv
agreeable and happy domestic circle.
Since the year 1866. Mr. Crouse has been engaged in various lines of
business in Lafayette, but during the past fifteen vears has devoted his atten-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY. IND. 589
tion principally to real estate, loans and insurance, in which he has been con-
tinuously successful and in every respect gratifying. For over forty years he
has been an active and influential member of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, during which time he has held important offices in both the subordi-
nate lodge and encampment, besides being chosen at intervals a representa-
tive to the grand lodge. Religiously he subscribes to the Presbyterian faith,
and with his wife and daughter is a regular attendant of the church in Lafay-
ette and a generous contributor to its support and to the various lines of
activity under the auspices of the denomination in his own city and else-
where.
Mr. Crouse has always manifested a lively interest in everything pertain-
ing to the welfare of the community, its progress and upbuilding, and bears
the reputation of an enterprising, public-spirited citizen, with the good of
his fellowmen at heart. In both civil and military life he has demonstrated
his loyalty and love for his country, and his career throughout has been
above reproach and greatly to his credit as a true American who makes
every other consideration subordinate to his interest in the government and
the free institutions for the maintenance of which he devoted some of the
best years of his life and under which he has achieved marked success. In
manner. Mr. Crouse is free from all ostentatious display, but his intrinsic
worth is recognized and his friendship most prized by those who know him
best, showing that his character will bear the scrutiny of close acquaintance,
and that his life has been fraught with great good to those among whom his
lot has been cast and to the world at large.
MICHAEL SCHXAIBLE.
Dark and dismal was the tragedy that marked the coming to America of
the well-known familv of tliis name. Tiiey had long contemplated to move,
had discussed it over by the fireside and looked with longing to the land of
promise beyond tlie sea. Finally the momentous day arrived, and during
the summer of 1853 a sailing vessel departing from a German port contained
quite a party of relatives bound for the New \\'prld. Michael Sclinaible. the
recognized head of these emigrants, had long been a farmer in Wnrttemberg,
Germany, during the first quarter of the last century. He and his wife
Dorothea had had nine children, of whom three had died, leaving Margaret,
Jacob. Michael. John, George and ]\Iatt. and this familv, besides a number of
590 PAST AND PRESENT
relatives, constituted the party that took the ship for what was destined to be a
tragic voyage. In those days the passages were long and tedious, often con-
suming from a month to six weeks, and it took the vessel bearing these
natives of Wurttemberg full forty days to traverse the Atlantic. The horrors
of the passage were greatly aggravated by the breaking out of cholera in its
most virulent form, and forty-seven of the passengers died of the disease.
Included in this number were the elder Michael Schnaible and his son Jacob,
his brother and his uncle, all of whom were buried at sea under the gruesome
conditions surrounding such fatalities. John Schnaible contracted the disease,
but was fortunate enough to recover, and the mother finished the sad voy-
age with her remaining five children. They reached New York much de-
pressed in spirit and inclined to take a gloomy view of the outlook, as their
means were nearly exhausted and the future seemed to hold little for them.
After a month or two in the great metropolis, they started West in February,
1854, and after a tedious journey eventually reached Lafayette. The boys
who were old enough went to work at whatever they could find to do, but
in time an event occurred which proved fortuitous and was destined to in-
fluence the whole subsequent career of the Schnaible family. Michael found
a job in a little soap factory near the water-works, and. though the wages were
small, he was delighted with his good luck. He held on until 1858, when he
was joined by his brother John, and the two continued for some years as
faithful employes. This little factory had been started by Peirce and Cherry,
but in 1855 the former sold his interest to E. T. Jenks, and the latter two
years later bought the whole business. ^Meantime, the Schnaible brothers
had worked hard, learned all they could about the business and saved their
money. In 1868 they were able to buy the soap factory and engaged in busi-
ness for themselves as M. & J. Schnaible. Their affairs prospered and in
due time they built a commodious brick building to accommodate the factory.
Later, they found it necessary to erect an addition and business grew apace
until the soap factory became one of the important industries of Lafayette.
Michael Schnaible. senior member of the firm, was married in October.
1863, to Catherine Sattler, who died in 1867, leaving two children. Elizabeth
and Wilhelmina. In 1869, Mr. Schnaible married Mary Klaiber, of Wurttem-
berg, Germany, by whom he had six children: John F.. Louis. George, Emil,
August and William Adolpli. John P.. who took a course in chemistry at
Purdue University, died in 1908. Emil took a course in pharmacy at Purdue
and now owns a wholesale and retail drug store on the east side of the public
square. Louis died in youth, and the other brothers. George. August F. and
William Adolph. are connected with the soap factory. Michael Schnaible.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 591
l
the father, died September 20, 1899. the mother having passed away in April,
1890. The sister and the younger sons reside in the old homestead at Seventh
and Heath streets. George, the third son, was married on October 21, 1903,
to Anna, daughter of John Kluth, who came from Germany in 1852, and
underwent a cholera-stricken \oyage similar to that which afflicted the
Schnaible family over. George and Mrs. Schnaible have one child, Ruth
Lillian, and the family reside in a handsome home on North Ninth street,
with a broad and beautiful view across the valley of the Wabash.
John Schnaible, junior partner with his brother Michael in the original
purchase of the soap factory, married Mary Mertz, of Baden, by whom he
had three children, two dying in infancy, and Willie, who passed away in
early childhood. In the spring of 1899, shortly before the death of Michael
Schnaible, the soap factory business was incorporated under the name of the
M. & J. Schnaible Company, and John F. and George v.^ere taken in as equal
partners. Two years later, August F. and William A. were also taken into
the company. Thev manufacture laundry soaps exclusively, their principal
brands being "Star City," "Daylight" and "Does-it-easy Naptha." The
business has grown steadily and greatly increased in capacity from the small
frame structure in which it was originally housed. Four different additions
have been built on, as the increase of business demanded more accommodation,
and in recent years another separate building has been erected. The com-
pany's trade extends over Indiana, Ohio. Missouri, Iowa, Kentucky, Alabama
and West \'irginia.
CHARLES H. BRADSHAW.
The life record of Charles H. Bradshaw, one of the well-known and
representative citizens of Tippecanoe county, Indiana, shows that a man of
industry, energy, fidelity to duty and right principles can win in the battle of
life despite obstacles, and his career could be studied with profit by the youth
whose future course is yet to be determined.
Charles H. Bradshaw was born at Urbana, Illinois, in 1858. At the
age of two years his parents moved to Decatur, that state, where they re-
mained until he was about twelve years old. From that time until he was
twenty-one he lived in Mattoon, Illinois. He received a good education, and
after leaving school went to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he engaged suc-
cessfully in the undertaking business for about three years. About 1887 he
came to Lafayette and engaged in the same line of business. In 1899 he and
592 PAST AND PRESENT
Louis Schlesselman formed a partnership in the undertaking business, con-
ducting an establisliment of their own. which proved to be a fortunate under-
taking owing to their knowledge of the business and their considerate treat-
ment of customers. About 1907 they also established the Lafayette Granite
Company, making monuments and similar work. This, too, was a success
from the first, and the firm is still conducting both lines of business, having
become well established in each of them, their trade extending to all parts of
the county.
In 1890, Mr. Bradshaw was married to Amelia Kries. of Lafayette,
daughter of George M. Kries, for many years a prominent citizen of Lafay-
ette, but now deceased. This union has been blessed by the birth of two
children, Charles K. and Rhe K. The Bradshaw home is a pleasant one and
is frequently the gathering place for the many friends of the family.
In his fraternal relations, Mr. Bradshaw is past worshipful master of Tip-
pecanoe Lodge, No. 492, Free and Accepted Masons ; also past exalted ruler of
Lodge No. 143, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; he is also past noble
grand of Friendship Lodge, No. 22, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He
takes a great interest in lodge work, and has become well known through the
several orders with which he is identified. Being prominent in local political
affairs, he was a member of the city council of Lafayette for several years,
during which time he looked carefully after the interests of the city and won
the hearty approval of his constituents. He is a Republican, especially in
national politics, but in local affairs he often votes for the man whom he
deems most qualified for the office sought, regardless of political affiliations.
He has never sought political office, the office of city councilman coming
unsought. Personally, Mr. Bradshaw is of pleasing address, sociable and
friendly, thereby winning friends easily.
ROBERT W. SAMPLE.
The gemlcman whose name appears at the head of this biographical
re\-iew needs no introduction to the people of Tippecanoe county since his
long and active life has been spent here, a life devoted not only to the fostering
of his own interests but also one given in a measure to the development of
the community at large. From early envirc^nments none too favorable he
has directed his efforts in successful channels until he is now president of one
of the best known banking houses in tJiis part of the state, the Fir.st National.
^Bl^^^r^w^-,^^^
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 593
Robert \\'. Sample was born in tbe city of Lafayette in 1833. He was
one of seven children born to Henry T. and Sarah (Sumwalt) Sample, his
parents having been among the pioneer settlers of Lafayetet and well kiiowm
here in an early day. Robert W. Sample was reared in his native city, at-
tended the local schools during the winter months and worked in his father's
tannery in the summer. After finishing his common school studies, he went
to Cincinnati. Ohio, and attended business college, after which he returned to
his native city and became associated with his father and brother John in
the tannery and packing house plants. They also owned a farm in Benton
county. Their tannery did a very extensive business for those days.
In 1862, when the First National Bank was organized in Lafayette, Mr.
Sample became a director, and in 1890 became president of the concern, still
holding that important and responsible position. Besides his banking inter-
ests he owns two large farms in this county.
Air. Sample's domestic life began in 1855 when he married Elizabeth
Anderson, born in Waverly, Ohio. After spending a few years in Perryville,
Indiana, her parents brought her to Wea Plains, Tippecanoe county, while she
was yet a small child. Like his father and mother, Robert W. Sample and
wife have enjoyed a long and happy married life, having lived to celebrate
their golden wedding in 1905, a remarkable coincidence for two generations —
father and son to celebrate so many wedding anniversaries. This union was
blessed by se\'en children, two of whom died in infancy. One daughter mar-
ried John Ewry, both husband and wife now deceased ; they left one daughter,
Elizabeth Ewry, who makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Sample. The other
children are, Candace, wife of Doctor Burt ; Anna, wife of Ashley Johnson ;
John G. is teller in the First National Bank, and Richard B. is president of
the Lafayette Savings Bank.
In their church connections, Mr. and ]\Irs. Sample are members of Trinity
Methodist Episcopal church, of Lafayette. The Sample home is a pleasant
one where the many friends of the family often gather, never failing to find
old-time hospitality and good cheer prevailing there.
SCHUYLER A. TOWSLEY.
xne Lafayette family of this name originated in New York. Alonzo
Towsley was a business man of prominence in Seneca county for many years,
being extensivelv engaged in getting out and marketing stone, and emplov-
^38)
594 P-^ST AND PRESENT
ing the year around from twenty-five to one hundred men. He married Laura
McLean, by whom he had four sons. Schuyler A. Towsley. the youngest of
these, was born at Waterloo, New York, in 1847, and when eighteen years
old had charge of a boat on the Erie canal, delivering" stone to various places.
About 1870, his father met with heavy losses in business, which compelled
him to discontinue operations. Deciding to come West, Mr. Towsley located
at Detroit, working in a foundry as a machinist and for the Twin Brother
Yeast Company. Subsequently he became a brakeman on the Michigan
Central railroad between Detroit and Jackson, Michigan. Afterward he went
to Chicago and helped establish the Laflin Yeast Company for Steel & Price,
taking charge later of their perfumery and extract department. It was an
extensive business and he had under his direction a corps of sixty employes.
His health failing, he secured a position as conductor on an Ogden avenue
street railway, where he could get out-door exercise. In two or three months
became to Lafayette, and in 1880 entered the employment of Curtis E. Wells
as traveling salesman in the queensware and glassware line. He retained
this position for nearly two years and accepted a similar position with Holl-
weg & Reese of Indianapolis. After remaining with them for twelve years
he bought a third interest in a yeast business at Chicago, but it proved un-
successful and he returned to Hollweg & Reese. He remained with them
two and a half years and then came to Lafayette to take charge of the Tows-
ley Yeast Company, which he had organized a year previous. In a short
time, however, he sold his interest and traveled for a while for James Dufify,
wholesale confectioner. In the fall of 1887 he started in business in West
Lafayette with a small bakery. His stock consisted of sandwiches, con-
fectionery and various sweetmeats, catering especially to the student trade.
At that time there were only about six hundred students in
the university, but by constant diligence and good management
he built up a business that yielded and still yields a fair profit.
He keeps a general line of students' supplies, a lunch counter,
dining room and billiard hall. That he is quite popular with the
students is shown by the large patronage he enjoys from that source and the
wide circle of friends found among them. He recently purchased property
on State street and during the summer of 1909 erected a two-story brick
building with Ijasement. The property also includes a residence adjoining, and
the whole is held at twenty thousand dollars. The restaurant and students'
supply store occupies the first floor of the new building, the second floor being
devoted to the l)illiard parlor, while the basement has been fitted up with
an up-to-date bowling alley.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 595
In 1864 Mr. Towsley enlisted in the Third New York Light Artillery,
with which he served until the close of the war. His enlistment was under
the name of Richard Towsley, that being the name he went by at that time.
He was in the last battle of the war at Kingston. He keeps as a precious
heirloom the old saddle bags and large pistols that his father carried while a
member of the New York militia.
In 1878 Mr. Towsley married x\bbie Smith, a native of the same town
in New York where he himself was born. They have had three children,
Charles S., Clara C. and Ida Belle. In the spring of 1905 Charles and Clara
were both taken away by death, within five weeks of each other, the first being
aged fourteen years and six months and the other twelve and a half years.
Ida Belle remains at home attending the high school. The family are mem-
bers of the Trinity Methodist church. Mr. Towsley is a member of the
Masonic order, having taken the degrees of the Royal Arch chapter. He
belongs also to the Knights of Pythias and the National Union.
GEORGE J. PFROMMER.
He whose name heads this biographical notice is the son of George
Pfrommer, a native of Germany, born in Wurttemberg in 1826. He emi-
grated to America and came to Lafayette in 1846. coming by way of the
Erie canal from Fort Wayne. Until about 1854 he was employed at var-
ious occupations. He was married in June, 1854, to Mary Mohrenweg. of
Wurttemberg, who had come to this country a few years later than Mr.
Pfrommer. Soon after their marriage he went to farming near the three-
mile switch, two and a half miles south of Lafayette. He purchased forty
acres of land, to which later he added more. On that farm his children were
born. They were the parents of eight children, as follows : ]\Iary. who
married Peter Levandowski and lives in Lafayette : Kate, who married
Herman Kreuch, and she resides in Peoria, Illinois, he having died in 1900;
Michael is engaged in the grocery business on South Fourth street, Lafav-
ette; Maggie died, aged twelve years ; George J. was the next in order of birth
of the eight children ; Dora married Joseph Eisele and lives in Chicago, where
her husband is employed as a railway engineer ; John and Fred were twins ;
the last named died aged four years and John died in 1900, aged thirt}--
four years. He was married and left one daughter.
George J. Pfrommer was born October 17, 1862, and was reared on a
596 PAST AND PRESENT
farm until aged eighteen years. He had the advantages of the German Luth-
eran schools, and \vhen eighteen years of age began to work at the tile mill
as its foreman and remained in charge for six years. This plant he had
assisted in building and establishing the business. After this business experi-
ence. ^Ir. Pfrommer was employed in the Lafayette Car Works and con-
tinued there until 1891. when he engaged in the grocery business, which he
followed one year, and then began contracting and building, and still follows
this line of work. Li this he has been signally successful and does excellent
work as a builder.
Politically, Mr. Pfrommer is a Democrat, believing that this political
organization best represents the interests of the masses of American citizens.
From 1896 to 1902 he was a member of the Lafayette city council. He is
a member of the German Lutheran church and served as its trustee since
1906.
yir. Pfrommer was married in 1886 to Pauline ^Nleyer. a native of Baden,
who came to this country in 1883. This union has been blessed by three
children, George W., John R. and Lillian M.
Mr. Pfrommer has ever been an industrious A\orker and an intelligent
citizen of Tippecanoe county. In size he is above the average, is strong and
robust, genial in his manners, yet quite positive and outspoken in his opinions.
He is the owner of a handsome home and other valuable property in Lafay-
ette, in which city he has the esteem of a large circle of friends and admirers.
He is possessed of a frank, friendly disposition, which makes him one of the
city's popular men who sees the practical side of life.
MORRIS WIXFIELD PHILLIPS.
It is a privilege to pass an hour with "Win" Phillips, the journalist,
lecturer, historiographer, student of Indian traditions, and especial champion
of the "American Kid." Everybody around Lafayette knows him, and to
know him is to like him, for he is geniality personified, and never spoke a
word to hurt the feelings of the most sensitive. ^Ir. Phillips has had his
full share of the ups and downs of life, has known the hard side of the
couch and the pinchings of hard times, as well as the rays of sunshine which
break in to relieve the wayfarer as he travels down life's way. But mis-
fortune has not soured or prosperity spoiled this genial child of nature, who
is devoting his mature years and untiring energy to the task of rescuing
"TIPPECAXOE COUNTY, IX D. 597
from oblivion the traditions of a race whose history constitutes at once the
tragedy and romance of our history. Mr. PhiUips is of Ohio origin, being
born at Dayton, February 15, 1854. His parents removed to IndianapoHs
when he was quite young and there he spent his childhood as well as the
years of his young manhood. In 1869 he served as a page in the house of
representatives, and afterwards resumed his interrupted attendance at school
and had completed arrangements for a college career, when one of those minor
incidents which often influence men's careers completely diverted the whole
trend of his existence. He had become acquainted with the celebrated George
C. Harding, the natural-born editor and newspaper genius, par excellence,
whose brilliant scintillations in the various publications at Indianapolis had
delighted a generation of Indiana admirers. Mr. Phillips had caught the
fancy of this remarkable man, perhaps because of his accommodating dis-
position in "catching bait" for fishing excursions and skill in finding the most
promising "poles." The great editor thought so much of the bright and com-
panionable boy that he nicknamed him "Bullfrog Win," and many were the
happy outings they had at Broad Ripple and other points along WHiite river
and other fishing streams of the state. Without much persuading Mr.
Phillips was indviced to join ^Ir. Harding in the newspaper field, and he
remained with him for several years while he was publishing the Herald.
Later, when Col. William R. Holloway began the publication of the Daily
Times, Mr. Phillips joined the reportorial staff and continued with that
paper until it was absorbed by the Journal. It was in 1889 that Mr. Phillips
decided to become a resident of Lafayette, where he spent several years in
miscellaneous employment. When Hon. William S. Haggard began the
publication of a morning daily, in 1893, Mr. Phillips was assigned a position
in the reportorial department and remained with the paper until its suspen-
sion. Five years with the Lafayette Courier, and a subsequent engagement
with the Call, brought him to the year 1903. when he accepted a position
with the JMorning Journal.
Aside from his regular newspaper work. Mr. Phillips has done consider-
able miscellaneous writing as a contributor to the Indianapolis Star and
eastern magazines. From an early period he was enamored of the subject
of Indian life and traditions and by persistent study and research has become
an authority on the aborigines of the Wabash valley. In 1906, while report-
ing memorial exercises at "The Battle Ground," he was so impressed with
the obvious historical inaccuracies that he entered upon a study of the Xiirth-
west Territory, with a view to producing a more reliable account of the
stirrinsf times incident t-i the erirlv settlement and furmative i)eri(ul of Indiana.
598 PAST AND PRESENT
Especial attention was devoted to the campaigns of Gen. W'illiam Henry-
Harrison, culminating- in the famous and decisive battle of Tippecanoe. His
articles in the Indianapolis Star concerning this epoch-making event not only
attracted widespread attention, but were the means of bringing to him a lot
of valuable data and original papers never before published. One of the
most valuable of these was Judge Isaac Naylor's famous historical sketch of
the battle of Tippecanoe, in which he took part as sergeant in Captain Sig-
ger's company of riflemen. An autobiographical sketch prepared by Judge
Naylor, which was full of interesting details of his adventurous life, was sent
by Mr. Phillips to the Indiana Quarterly Magazine of History, a publication
to which he contributes occasionally. The outcome of his studies, enthusiastic
tours of the state in search of relics and descendants of the early pioneers,
is a lecture on the general subject with especial reference to Harrison's cam-
paigns against Tecumseh, which he has delivered frequently to delighted aud-
iences. His admiration for the children of the pioneers and his conviction
that the boy has not had a fair deal in history caused Mr. Phillips to dedicate
the "American Kid," and both the title and contents have proved a hit with
the rising generation. He loves "the kids" and they in turn love him, with
the result that Mr. Phillips is regarded as the most successful of all lecturers
to boys. All his lectures are illustrated with hand-painted views of Indian
life, obtained from the United States department devoted to such subjects.
His data and pictures are historically correct and the whole embodies much
information of absorbing interest to the student of our aboriginal history.
Features of the lecture are lantern-slides of many valuable paintings and
historical documents, among them l:eing several productions of John Winter,
the famous painter of early Indian life, and other subjects of the pioneer
period. ^Ir. Phillips is the recognized authority on the battle of Tippecanoe,
of which he has exhumed many curious relics, such as tomahawks, a petrified
ear of corn, from the old site of Prophetstown, and other things unearthed
at Fort Ouiatenon, including a copy of a drawing of the battle, made by a
soldier who participated in the engagement. :\Ir. Phillips also has lectures on
Yellowstone park, Yosemite valley and the Grand canyon of the Colorado,
with lantern-slides colored true to nature.
WILLT.\^I .\LFRED LOFL.WD. M. D.
To achieve an eminent standing in as exacting a calling as the medical
profession recjuires something more than mediocre talents, a persistency of
purpose, a fidelity to duty and the happy faculty of winning and retaining
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 599
the confidence and good will of all classes. These qualifications the gentle-
man whose life record is briefly outlined in the following paragraphs seems
to possess, for he has, unaided, gradually overcome all obstacles until he
stands in the front rank of the medical profession in Tippecanoe county, a
locality widely known for the high order of its professional talent.
Dr. William Alfred Lofland was born near Romney, Tippecanoe county,
February 26, 1864, the son of John S. and Nancy A. (McMillin) Lofland,
the former a native of Crawfordsville, Indiana. John S. Lofland came to
the southern part of this county in his boyhood, and after attending the Sugar
Grove Academy in that neighborhood, while working during the summer
seasons, he acquired sufficient education to enable him to begin teaching,
which he followed for some time. But he abandoned this for farming after
his marriage, continuing the latter \ocaticn until within a few years prior
to his death, in December. 1907. He was a successful farmer and stock
raiser. Nancy A. ]\IcMillin was born in Tippecanoe county, November 7,
1840, the daughter of the late John K. McMillin, one of the former county
commissioners and a well known man throughout the county. He was prom-
inent in church work, also socially, and took an abiding interest in the public
affairs of the county. He was an extensive stock dealer, a shrewd tradesman,
but a very religious man, a strict observer of the Sabbath.
William A. Lofland grew to maturity on the old home farm where he
assisted with the work about the place during the summer months, thereby
securing a sound body which has meant much to him in his subsequent career.
He attended the neighboring public schools in his boyhood, then took a
course in DePauw University, finishing a special course preparatory to taking
up the study of medicine which had long been a dominating passion with him.
While in the university he read medicine in the office of Dr. G. C. Smythe,
who was then considered a very advanced surgeon, ahead of his time in fact.
Doctor Lofland often assisted him in delicate operations, and the skill thus
acquired early in life has greatly aided him during his professional career ever
since. From the university at Greencastle, Doctor Lofland went to Chicago
and entered Rush Medical College, from which institution he was graduated
Fel)ruary 19, 1889, having made an excellent record there. In March of that
year he went to Linden, Montgomery county, and began the practice of
medicine, soon having a fair practice. In October. 1901, he went to Chicago
and took a post-graduate course and then located in Lafayette, where he has
since practiced, having now an extensive patronage both as physician and
surgeon, meeting with remarkable success.
Doctor Lofland was married on Xovember 2t,. 1802. to Susnnna Miller.
600 PAST AND PRESENT
the accomplished daughter of the late Absalom M. ^^liller. who was county
commissioner at one time, also held other public offices. He was a large land
owner, prominent in the Friends church, a man of influence, widely and
favorably known. To Doctor and Mrs. Lofland two children have been born,
a son, Edgar Miller Lofland, born November i8, 1899, who died December
12, 1908. Their daughter, Evelyn, was born June 24, 1903.
In his fraternal relations the Doctor belongs to Tippecanoe Lodge, Xo.
123, Free and Accepted Masons. He and his estimable wife are held in high
favor socially in Lafayette, and their pleasant home is known as a place of
'hospitality.
\\TLLL\AI F. STILL\\-ELL.
This well-known Lafayette business man was born at Cincinnati, Ohio,
August 25, 1856, but was reared in Kentucky until 1870, when he came to
northwestern Lidiana, with which section he has e\er since been actively
identified. Entering DePauw University shortly after his arrival here, he
devoted several years to the college curriculum and was graduated in 1877.
Becoming a student in the law office of Hon. John R. Coffroth, in Lafayette,
he remained until his appointment in January, 1880, as assistant to the gen-
eral solicitor of the Cincinnati, Indianapolis & Lafayette Railroad Company
in charge of the legal business of that company of the lines from Crawfords-
ville to Michigan City and Indianapolis to Chicago. In 1885 he resigned to
take charge of the business of the Henry Taylor Lumber Company, with
which he has ever since been identified. In addition to his duties as president
of this company, he has for the past six years engaged in general contracting
which identified him with a large amount of important building. Included
in this were the Monon railroad shops at Lafayette, roundhouses and depots
at Indianapolis, Lafayette, and other cities for the same company, five build-
ings for the Indiana University, including the student building, library, re-
modeling Wiley Hall, the observatory and remodeling of the law building.
Another conspicuous achievement of Mr. Stillwell was the construction of the
stylish hotel at French Lick and a subsequent addition to the same structure.
He also put up the Soldiers' Memorial building at Dayton, Ohio, with a seat-
ing capacity of six thousand people, the material being all of stone. Other
work of a high order is represented in the court houses at Michigan City and
Kankakee, Illinois, and the nine-story steel structure for the Schoff estate
at Ft. Wayne. With Joshua Chew, his partner, he constructed the chemistry
^>^
'M^-eiJe^^^ 4^}iLa^^^^^
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 60I
building, new gymnasium and other structures at Purdue University. In
fact, his activities have extended from coast to coast and the work done under
his direction has been especially conspicuous for fine finishings found in the
buildings of many cities. His company achieved international fame as the
designer of the interior tinishing in the Broadway Chambers building, of
New York, of which a miniature was exhibited at the Paris Exposition and
a medal awarded for the American methods of interior decoration, which
was pronounced the finest in the world. The company now has branch lumber
yards at Danville, Illinois, Richmond, Indiana, and Stockwell, Indiana.
Mr. Stillwell married, October i6, 1881, Sallie B., only daughter of
Henry Taylor, after whose death, in 1885, he gave up his law practice to take
charge of the lumber business established by his father-in-law in 1852. j\lr.
Stillwell deserxes well oi the laboring men of Lafayette, whom he has em-
ployed in large numbers and paid good- wages. He has always been just to
men in his employ, and his extensive industry, accompanied by his building
operations, have been a source of wealth and prosperity to this community
and the chief factor in making happy homes. Governor Matthews appointed
Mr. Stillwell as a member of the Lafayette city police board, which was his
only political office. He is a member of Trinity Methodist Episcopal church
and of the Lincoln and Lafayette Clubs. He is also a Mason, having advanced
as far in that order as the [Mystic Shrine, and belongs to the college fraternity
Phi Delta Theta. Mr. Stillwell's wife died some years ago, leaving an only
daughter, Isabel T
CHRISTIAN MERTZ.
No foreign country has furnished so many worthv and progressive
citizens to the United States as Germany, and of the vast number of this
splendid citizenship who have come to our shores and been assimilated into
our civilization, resulting in incalculable good to both, is Christian Alertz,
one of Lafayette's prominent business men, whose birth occurred in Richels-
hausen, in the grand duchy of Baden, near Lake Constance, in the year 1834.
He was the second child in a family of eight, the son of Johann Matthias and
Katharine (Benzing) ^lertz, the former a native of Baden and the latter
of \\'urttemberg. Th.ey die;l in their native b.ntl. but Christian Mertz's grand-
father on the paternal side died in America, having come here in an early
day. Johann M. Mertz was the owner of a large estate. He was a manu-
facturer of chemicals and obtained possession of the Richelshausen estate,
602
PAST AND PRESENT
which was formerly owned by a nobleman. The manor house in which Chris-
tian Mertz was born is located in an ideal spot — the Swiss mountains, fortress
Hohentwiel and Lake Constance being in plain view from the same. At this
writing it is again in the possession of a baron. Christian Alertz was foui -
teen years old when the revolution swept over a part of Germany ; in this
his father took an active part, and it was during these years of early man-
hood that he imbibed the spirit of freedom and independence, the atmosphere
of Germany having been pervaded with such a spirit at that time. Mr.
Mertz always regretted that his education in advanced studies was neglected,
for to his father the larger affairs of state and county seemed all important
and young Christian was sent away from the Catholic country to be tutored
by a Protestant preacher who was a good man but no pedagogue. Not
having an inclination to serve the required term in the German army, young
yiertz decided to come to America in order to escape it, reaching our shores
when twenty years of age, his first voyage having been made on an old-
fashioned sailing-vessel and lasted forty days. He came to Indiana soon
after his arri\-al in the New World and for some time lived on a farm near
Fort Wayne with relatives. In May, 1855, he moved to Lafayette, making
the trip on an Erie-Wabash canal packet, drawn by a mule team. It was a
long ride, the canal being the principal manner of transportation in those
days. Mr. Mertz had made up his mind that if anyone had found a way to
succeed in this new country, he would be the second one. Although a stranger
in a foreign land, unacquainted with the language and customs, without
friends and only a limited capital, he had the innate qualities that win in the
face of all obstacles and he, in due time, had a good foothold, first securing
employment as a stone sawyer in Wagenlander's stone-yard. Then he became
porter in the Bramble House, of which Thomas Wood was proprietor. Later
he worked in the Lafayette House. These occupations, of course, were only
stepping-stones until he could save enough money to enable him to embark
in business for himself. From 1858 to 1861 he engaged in the retail grocery
business on Main street and thereby became independent of employers. He
l)rospered and in iH()}^ returned to the Fatherland on a visit. Upon his
return to .\merica he became a partner of Jacob Geyer, and together they
conducted what was known as the Peters mill, wliic'i was locate 1 on Wild
Cat creek. Business still came his w^ay and in 1871 Mr. Mertz made a
second trip to Germany and remained there until 1S74. On his return trip
to America he was shipwrecked, the trip lasting twenty days ; the ship was
destroyed but no lives were lost, the passengers having been rescued bv a
steamer carrying merchandise. Upon his arrival in Lafavette, Indiana, which
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 603
place he had long designated as his home, he became landlord of the Bramble
House, where years ago he had been doing menial chores. In the year 1876
he became a partner of Otto K. Weakly and they conducted the Lahr Hotel.
While under his able management the wide popularity of this house was
established and he and 'Sir. Weakly were associated in business for a period
of eighteen years.
During the early years of his hotel business, Mr. ^Nlertz purchased an
interest in the Lafayette Milling Company and also became a large stock-
holder in the Tippecanoe Coffee and Spice Mills, under the firm name of
Geiger-Tinney Company, now doing business in Indianapolis. He withdrew
from this firm after having been associated with the same for a period of
fourteen years. As president of the Citizens' Building and Loan Association,
Mr. Mertz assisted to make this worthy enterprise successful and popular,
retiring from the same in 1894, having been connected with the same for
a number of years.
JNIr. Mertz has done much to push forward the car of progress in Lafay-
ette, always interested in and assisting in furthering many enterprises and
being a liberal contributor to charitable enterprises and all movements, in fact,
having for their object the general good. Among the laudable things he has
done, it suffices here to mention only the fact that he was one of the very
first by his liberal subscription to the Children's Home to make it possible
for that institution to own its property.
At present Mr. Mertz devotes the major part of his time to the man-
agement of the Lafayette Milling Company, of which he has been president
for the past twenty-five years, diunng which time various changes have taken
place in the management of the same by reason of deaths, etc. This mill was
built in 1885 and it has a capacity of one hundred barrels per dav, being
equipped with all modern machinery and appliances for turning nut first-class
and high-grade flour, meal, bran, etc., for which a ready market is found,
the prestige of this mill having- long since become wide and permanent. A
large number of men are employed in its various departments.
The domestic chapter in the life of this prominent man of aft"airs dates
from his fifty-ninth year, after an exemplary bachelorhood, he having formed
a matrimonial alliance with Martha Mueller, who was born in Stuttgart,
Germany. She is a refined and affable lady, and to this union three interest-
ing children have lieen born, namely : Fritz. ]\L-irtha and Richard. The
Mertz home is an ideal one. and ^Ir. and INlrs, ]\Iertz are popular in all
circles. Politically, the former is a Repulilican. and a memlier of the Second
Presbvterian church.
604 PAST AXD PRESENT
WILLIAM KENT LUCAS.
In studying the life record of William Kent Lucas, there are found all
the elements that go to make the successful man of affairs — excellent ancestry,
an analytical mind, a fidelity to duty, an unswerving persistency and a genial
deportment — consequently as the general agent of the IMonon railroad, with
headquarters at Lafayette, Indiana, he has won a commendable position in
the railroad world, in which he is widely known. His birth occurred at
Williamsport, Warren county, this state. January 13, 1843. ^^'^^ son of a well-
known civil engineer, Col. E. F. Lucas, the popular superintendent of the old
Wabash and Erie Canal, which position he held for many years, during which
time he was much sought after owing to his influence in high commercial
circles. AMien this canal was taken over by the state. Colonel Lucas was one
of three commissioners appointed to manage it, his duties being that of super-
intendent and overseer, especially regarding its construction to Evansville.
He was influential with the railroads and attended to a great deal of busi-
ness for others. Colonel Lucas was born in Washington county, Pennsyl-
vania, February 22, 1804, and having moved to Indiana in his youth he was
educated in the Indiana State University at Bloomington, and, deciding upon
a career as civil engineer, he became one of the first in the United States, also
a consulting engineer. He was at one time a colonel in the state militia.
\\'illiam K. Lucas, of this review, has in his possession an old leather-covered
trunk full of papers, left by his father, containing documents relating to the
canal and many letters asking the Colonel's influence in behalf of the writers.
In 1857 the Wabash railroad sent Colonel Lucas to Lafayette to purchase
one hundred and sixty acres of land on which to locate their shops, but it is
said that local property owners refused to sell land for that purpose, not want-
ing the shops to come here. At Ft. \\'ayne the land desired was donated.
Colonel Lucas's death occurred in 1871 while he was engaged in locating the
Chicago & Eastern Illinois railroad.
William Kent Lucas grew up on a farm on the state line, remaining
there and assisting with the various duties of the same from aljnut 1849 to
1865. In the latter year he went to Keokuk, Iowa, in the employ of the
Wabash railroad. In 1866 Senator Thomas A, Hendricks procured for him
an appointment in the railway mail service, known as route agent, his "run"
being on the Wabash railroad, between Lafayette, Indiana, and Toledo, Ohio,
he Ijeing chief clerk on the route, which position he very creditalily filled.
In 1869 he returned to Keokuk, being eniplnyetl in the offices of the Wabash
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 605
railroad. In 1876 Mr. Lucas was appointed agent of the Rock Island rail-
road, at Keokuk, which position he held for about seven years. So faithful
had his services been that in 1883 he was promoted to the agency for that
road at Des Moines, Iowa. Remaining there until 1899, he resigned that
position and accepted an offer made by the Monon railroad as general agent
at Lafayette, Indiana, which position he is faithfully filling at this writing.
Mr. Lucas was united in marriage, September 19, 1872, with Sarah
Shontz, a native of Harmony, Butler county, Pennsylvania. She was a rep-
resentative of an old and influential family, having been a cousin of the
famous Theodore P. Shontz, one of the builders of the Panama canal. After
more than twenty-six years of mutually happy wedded life, Mrs. Lucas passed
to her rest.
Mr. Lucas is conspicuous not only for his faithfulness to his duty, but
also for his obliging disposition and his willingness to do some kind service
for others. He is regarded by the officials of the Monon as one of their
most faithful and trusted employes, and much credit is due him for the large
business done by this road in Lafayette. He and his sister maintain a very
neat and cozy home where their many friends are always welcome.
JOHX E. CHAAIBERLIN.
A representative citizen of Lafayette and proprietor of the Chamocrlin
Creamery and ice cream business, the largest enterprise of the kind in north-
ern Indiana and among the largest in the West, the subject of this review
merits consideration among those who have contributed to the growth of the
city and given it an honorable reputation as an important and commercial
center. It is with no little satisfaction, therefore, that the following brief
outline of his career and modest tribute to his worth is presented. John E.
Chamberlin has been a lifelong resident of Lafayette and since his young
manhood vitally interested in the city's material advancement and business
prosperity. His father, David J. Chamberlin, was born June 26, 1826, in
Gettysburg, Adams county. Pennsylvania, and in the spring of 1849. shortly
after his marriage with Elizabeth Naoma Biggs, moved to Lafayette, Indiana,
where he soon became a member of the firm of J. Shideler & Company,
general merchants and grain dealers. Subsequently he engaged in marketing,
which proved successful, and still later, in partnership with his son, he
established a broom factory, which he operated with gratifying financial
6o6 PAST AND PRESENT
results for eleven years, when he disposed of the businc=b co devote hia entire
attention to the manufacture of butter and cheese, an enterprise established
in 1890 by the Lafayette Creamery Compan}' and purchased by Mr. Cham-
berlin in 1893. Under the name of D. J. Chamberlin & Son, the business grew
rapidly and, the better to meet the demands of the trade, the firm enlarged
its capacity from time to time, and in due time built up the largest estab-
lishment of its kind not only in Lafayette, but in the northern part of the
state. In connection with the making of butter and cheese and the handling
of milk, they also introduced the manufacture of ice cream, which, like the
other lines, proved successful from the beginning and increased to such an
extent as to render necessary, within a brief period, the enlargement of their
facilities and the adoption of new and improved methods and appliances. The
industry has grown steadily in magnitude and importance until, as already
indicated, it has become the largest of the kind in northern Indiana. The
creamery, which has been increased to more than double its former capacity,
is the largest in the state and one of the best known and most widely patron-
ized enterprises of the kind in the central west. Connected with the estab-
lishment is a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres, where are kept the
high-grade cows which produce much of the milk used in the creamery, and
the intention is to increase the herd as rapidly as circumstances will admit,
although at the present time recourse is had to other sources in order to
supply the growing demands of the trade. The plant now gives employment
to an average of seventeen hands and the present yearly output is something
in excess of thirty thousand pounds of butter and sixty-five thousand gallons
of ice cream, besides a large wholesale and retail milk business, the greater
part of which is used in the city, although shipments are frequently made to
other points. The plant now in use was purchased in 1906, at a cost of
twenty-five thousand dollars, since which, as stated above, its capacity has
been greatly enlarged, new and improved machinery installed until the factory
is niiw fully equipped with the largest modern appliances and complete in
all I if its ])arts. Although the business is still conducted under the original
firm name of D. J. Chamberlin & Son, the senior partner and founder. David
J. Chamberlin, died at his home in Lafayette, Novemlaer 17. 1904. since
which time the plant has been operated by his son, John E. Chamberlin,
through whose efforts and management it has Ijeen made what it is today,
one of the leading industrial enterprises of the city and one of the most suc-
cessful of the kind in the entire country.
David J. Chaml>erlin was a man of sound practical intelligence and
nn-ch nil re than orflinar\- executive capacity and every undertaking in which
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 607
he engaged appears to ha\e prospered. He was also public spirited in
matters pertaining to the impro\-enient of the city, al\va_vs manifested a lively
interest in the general welfare of the community and was the embodiment
of manly honor in all of his business and other relations. The large enter-
prise which he established, and with which his name is still associated, bears
witness to his ability, judgment and foresight, and its steady growth, under
the joint direction of himself and son during his lifetime, and under the
management of the latter since his decease, proves that it was well founded
and that his mantle has fallen upon a worthy successor. Elizabeth Naoma
Biggs, wife of David J. Chamberlin, was born near Emmettsburg, Frederick
county, Maryland, and departed this life in Lafayette, Indiana, June 26,
1902. at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. Her ancestors were among
the first white settlers in Virginia and during the early wars, between the
colonists and the Indians. se\-eral of the family were killed and others fell
into the hands of the savages, who held them prisoners until ransomed by
their relatives or friends. Later, some of her people became well-to-do
planters and slave holders, but prior to the Ci\'il v,-';r they liberated thc'r
slaves and moved to a state upon which the blight of involuntary human
servitude has not been fastened.
David J. and Elizabeth Naoma Chamberlin were the parents of but one
child, John E. Chamberlin, the subject of this sketch, whose birth occurred
in Lafayette, Indiana, on the 22d day of November, 1850. He was educated
in the city schools and while still young acquired, under the direction of
his father, practical knowledge of business and matured his plans for the
future. In due time he became his father's associate in the various lines of
enterprise already described and upon the latter's death succeeded to the
large establishment, which the two jointly built up, and is now sole proprietor
of the same: His career has been a large and useful one, and an evidence of
his acumen and reliability is afforded by the fact of his having steadily
enlarged the establishment with which he is identified and earned a reputa-
tion in business circles second to that of none of his contemporaries and above
the slightest suspicion of reproach or dishonor.
Mr. Chamberlin's domestic life dates from December 18, 1878, at wliich
time he was united in marriage with I\Iary E. Wilson, of Lafayette, daughter
of James R. Wilson, late of this city, the union resulting in the birth of se\-eral
children, of whom three sons survive, viz. : James D., John M. and \\"ilbur,
all intelligent young business men and connected with the enterprise of
which their father is proprietor. ]\Ir. Chamberlin afiRliates with the Repub-
lican party, but is no politician, having little time to devote to party affairs
6o8 PAST AND PRESENT
and no ambition in the way of public or official honors. This family, for
several generations, have been Methodists in their religious belief and the
subject subscribes to the doctrines of the same church, as do also his wife
and children. In his fraternal relations, ]Mr. Chamljerlin is an Odd Fellow,
and it is a matter worthy of note that when he and his sons joined the order,
a part of the ceremony was conducted by the same person who assisted at
the initiation of his father into the same lodge forty-five years before. He
is also a member of the Masonic fraternity.
As the result of his ability, energy, economy and judicious management,
Mr. Chamberlin has not only attained to a prominent place in the business
world, but has also achieved marked financial success, being the possessor
of an ample fortune and one of the solid and reliable men of his city. He
has ever been an advocate of all moral interests, and endeavored to realize
within himself the high ideals of manhood and citizenship, being straight-
forward, honorable and worthy of respect and standing for law and order,
in all the terms implied. Few men in Lafayette are as widely and favorably
known, none stand higher than does he in the confidence and esteem of the
public and in view of his active and eminently creditable career and the
influence he has always exercised on the right side of any moral question, it
is proper to class him with the representative men of his day and generation
in the community honored by his citizenship.
THOMAS WILLIAM BURT.
b^.-.i in a political and business sense Tliomas W. Burt, present postmaster
of the city of Lafayette, and one of the proprietors of the Lafavette ]Morning
Journal, is deserving of the high esteem in which he is held by all classes
owing to his public spirit, integrity and fidelity to duty. By dint of industry
and marked innate ability, he has forged to the front among his contemporaries
and made his influence felt throughout this portion of Indiana. He is popular
among the laboring classes and common people, because he lias bee nassiici-
ated from youth with the men who have had to strive for what thev have
secured of wealth and fame, and in their struggles he still takes a lively interest,
and while not disregarding the rights of the capitalist and those who have
inherited wealth, he can always be counted on as vindicating the cause of
that class of industrious citizens who seek to better their condition by manly
labor, be it in whatever calling that labor may be found employed,
Thomas W. Burt was born March 12, 1861, just one month before the
THOMAS \V. BL'RT
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 609
opening of the great Civil war. His father was Thomas Burt, Sr.. who sacri-
ficed his life on the altar of his country in the struggle to preserve the Union.
He was a native of Ohio — the state so famous for brave defenders of our
national flag in all wars. He volunteered soon after the first call for men
by President Lincoln, and for four long, trying years, he fought for the right,
as he was given to see the right, and when he had lived to see the new era
ushered in, his life had paid the price of hardship and exposure on the battle-
fields of the Southland, having answered the last roll-call and passed from
earth in 1865. Thomas W. Burt's mother was known in her maidenhood
as Mary Rogers, who was a native of Indiana, and who, for her second hus-
band, married Thomas Bryant.
In 1866 young Burt came to Lafayette, Indiana, where he was reared
to manhood. Here he received his education and has ever since remained
a loyal citizen of the place. When he was just entering his twelfth year, he
began learning the printer's trade, and in 1890 he became associated with
the Spring-Emerson Stationery Company, one of the oldest and best known
houses in that line of goods in the state. It was established as early as 1836
by John Rosser and has flourished for three-quarters of a century. In 1897
the company was, however, reorganized. Mr. Burt, who had mastered the
details of the business and had proven a most capable employe, was made a
partner in the firm, the name being changed to the Burt-Terry Stationery
Company. Frank and Charles Terry being the other interested parties. In
his new role, Mr. Burt was signally successful from the start, and won
friends and regular patrons by his own personality and the high grade of
goods which his judgment taught him was the best line to deal in. ^\"ith
natural business ability, aided by genial manners and rare soundness of
judgment, success was soon within his grasp. Later the firm became the well-
known Burt-Terry-Wilson Company, and in the year 1902 the company ab-
sorbed the -Daily Morning Journal, which is now known as the Burt-Haywood
Company, incorporated in 1902 at a capital of seventy-five thousan;l dol-
lars, and it is one of the largest of the kind in the state, employing one hun-
dred and tliivty to nne hundred .and fifty persons. The jilmt is e(|nippe 1 with
expensive in-ichinery of the latest designs. Mr. Burt is now nianiger of this
large enterprise, which would be a credit to any city. Many large jobs are
constantly turned out and the work is always satisfactory, for only high-grade
material is used and only skilled mechanics are employed by this fn-m. the
reputation of wliich is now far-reacliing.
In politics, ^Ir. Burt is a Republican and has lieen active in the affairs
of his partv for thirtv vears. in fact, a leader in local matters, his counsel
(39)
6lO PAST AND PRESENT
often being sought by his co-workers and local candidates. He very credit-
ably served one term as city clerk from 1894 to 1898 and on February 19.
1906, he was further honored b}' being appointed postmaster of Lafayette,
and he assumed charge of the office on March ist of the same year, and he is
now filling this important position with honor to himself and credit to the
community.
Fraternally Mr. Burt is a member of the Masonic order, including the
Scottish Rite at Indianapolis and the Commandery at Lafayette. He also
belongs to the Ancient Araliic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine
and the Knights of Pythias and the Druids. He takes an abiding interest in
all of these orders and one would judge from his daily life among his fellow
men that he attempts to carry out their high precepts.
The Lafayette Journal, with which Mr. Burt is connected, is too well
known to the people of this locality to need commenting on. It wields a
po\yerful influence wherever it reaches in moulding public opinion and it
holds high rank with the clean, trenchant, wide-awake, modern journals of
the present day, ably managed in every department and a success from a
financial standpoint.
Thomas W. Burt was married on April 25, 1886, to Elizabeth F. Kich-
ler, a native of Lafayette, the daughter of Adam and Sarah Elizabeth Kich-
ler, a well known family of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Burt are the parents
of two children, Mary E., who was educated in Lafayette and Washington.
District of Columbia. Edgar H., now sixteen years of age (1909), is a high
school pupil.
CAPT. JOHN W. MITCHELL.
It is with no little gratification that the biographer in this connection
addresses himself to the task of placing on record the principal facts in the
career of the honored soldier and esteemed civilian whose name appears
abn\e. a man who distinguished himself on many bloody battlefields during
the dark days of our national history and who, since the close of that
conflict, has lilxired for the good of his fellows and filled worthily important
public trusts. John W. Mitchell, postmaster of the State Soldiers' Home,
at Lafayette, is a native of Burlington county. New Jersey, and was born in
historic old Bordentown, on the 19th day of February, 1844. His father
was William Mitchell, whose birth occurred at the same place, and his
miither. Imngiiie l'';u'num, alsn a native of New Tersev, was born and reared
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 6ll
in the town of Mt. Holly. These parents were married in the state of their
birth and there continued to reside until 1865, when they moved to Lafayette,
Indiana, where William Mitchell became a successful contractor and builder,
which vocation he followed until retiring from active life. He was a man
of good, practical intelligence and well balanced judgment and during his
residence in Lafayette he earned the reputation of a capable and thoroughly
reliable business man, and enjoyed to a marked degree the esteem and con-
fidence of the people of the city. He lived a long and useful life, which
terminated May 17, 1905, at the age of eighty-four years. His wife preceded
him to the grave on May iS, 1886. Their family consisted of seven children,
whose names are as follows : James H., ex-treasurer of Lafayette and by
occupation a contractor and builder; John W., of this sketch; Lucy, who
married Mahlon S. Conley, of Los Angeles, California; George E., a mer-
chant of that city; Mary, wife of Norris S. Shafifer, a railway conductor
living at Chicago; William, of Butte, Montana, a printer and newspaper
man, and Edward G., who follows mechanical pursuits in the city of
Lafayette.
John W. Mitchell spent his early life in his native town and received
a good education in the schools of the same. He remained with his parents
until eighteen years of age, when he responded to the President's call for
volunteers,- enlisting in June, 1862, in Company B, Twelfth Regiment New
Jersey \^olunteer Infantry, with which he shared the vicissitudes and fortunes
of war for a period of three years. His regiment formed a part of the
Second Army Corps almost from the time of reaching the front, taking part
in the various Virginia campaigns and pai'ticipating in the numerous battles
and skirmishes in which the Army of the Potomac was engaged. Captain
Mitchell received his first baptism of fire at Chancellorsville, where he was
wounded in the arm, though not so severely as to incapacitate him permanent-
ly for duty. During his first two years in the service he held the rank of
sergeant and at the expiration of that time was promoted to first lieutenant
of Company D, of which he afterwards became captain, continuing in the
latter capacity until his discharge. Captain Mitchell's term of service in-
cluded some of the most severe fighting of the war, as may be inferred from
the following engagements, in which he participated: Chancellorsville,
Gettysburg, Falling Waters. Auburn Mills, Bristow Station, Blackburn's
Ford. Kelly's Ford, Robinson's Tavern, Mine Run, Alsop's House, Po River,
Laurel Hill, Spottsylvania, Landrum House, Milford, North Anna (three
engagements), three battles of Peterslnirg. Sailor's Creek. High Bridge.
Farmville. Appomattox, besides a number of minor engagements and
6l2 PAST AND PRESENT
skirmishes, in all of which he bore his part as a brave and gallant soldier
and in not a few attracted the favorable attention of his superior officers.
It is doubtful if any survivor of the Civil war can produce a record of such
continuous service and, as far as known, there is today no living soldier who
took part in as great a number of battles and skirmishes as the foregoing
list. The Twelfth New Jersey Regiment entered the service one thousand
strong, but at the close of the struggle one hundred and seventy-seven had
been killed in battle, one hundred and one died of disease, four hundred and
ten were wounded, making a total loss of six hundred and eighty-eight,
a record of casualties such as few regiments can produce.
At the expiration of his term of enlistment, in 1865, Captain ^Mitchell
was honorably discharged, after which he came to Lafayette, Indiana, where
he rejoined his parents, who had moved to the city in the spring of that year.
Within a short time, he engaged in the grocery business, but a few months
later disposed of his stock and began contracting and building, being a prac-
tical mechanic and well fitted for the line of work to which he devoted his
attention for a number of years following. In September, 1907, he was
appointed postmaster of the Soldiers' Home branch of the Lafayette post-
ofifice and has since given his time wholly to the duties of the position, prov-
ing a capable and obliging official and adding honor to an institution of
which the people of Indiana feel deservedly proud.
Captain Mitchell was married March 23, 1876, to Hallie J. Zimmerman,
of Richmond, Indiana, daughter of William Zimmerman, of that city, three
children resulting from the union, viz. : Singleton R., a college professor
in New ^ilexico ; Nellie B., her father's efficient deputy in the postofifice, and
Norris S., who lives in El Paso, Texas. Mrs. Mitchell, a most excellent and
highly esteemed lady, of beautiful education and high ideals, departed this
life on the i8th day of October, 1905, at the age of fifty-six years.
The Captain is a Republican in politics and previous to his appointment
to the position he now holds, served as deputy city treasurer of Lafayette.
He is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men. the Order of Ben Hur,
and is a leading worker in the Grand Army of the Republic; also of the
L^nion Veteran Legion, in the first named of which he has taken the Pocahon-
tas and Havniaker's degrees.
WILLIAM VAUGHN STUART.
It is one of the beauties of our government that it acknowledges no
hereditary rank of title — no patent of nobility save that of nature's, leaving
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 613
every man to establish his own rank by becoming the artificer of his own
fortune. Places of honor or trust, rank and preferment thus happily placed
before every individual, to be striven for by all, but earned alone by perse-
verance and sterling worth, are almost always sure to be filled with deserving
men, or at least by those possessing the energy and talent essential to success
in contests where public position is the prize. William V. Stuart affords a
conspicuous example of the successful self-made American, who has shown
that he possesses the qualifications that fit him to discharge worthily the duties
that have been entrusted in him. A man of vigorous mentality and strong
moral fiber, he has achieved signal success in a calling in which but few rise
above mediocrity.
Mr. Stuart, one of Lafayette's best known attorneys, was born at Logans-
port, Indiana, November i, 1857, the son of William Z. and Sarah (Bene-
dict) Stuart, the former having been born in Dedham, Massachusetts, while
his father sojourned here, having been on a mission for the British govern-
ment, but he returned to Aberdeen, Scotland, with his parents. He ran away
from home when a mere youth, and after satisfying his desire of adventure
by circumnavigating the globe two or three times, finally came to America
about 1828. He attended Amherst College, from which he was graduated
in 1833. About 1836 he moved to Logansport, Indiana, and began there the
practice of law in a short time. He became eminent in his chosen profession,
and was at one time prosecuting attorney of Cass county. Taking an active
interest in political affairs, he was elected representative of his county and
very ably served his constituents in the state legislature. He was sent to the
constitutional convention in 185 1. He was elected judge of the supreme
court in October, 1852, the duties of which he faithfully discharged until
January, 1858, when he resigned to become the general attorney of what was
then the Toledo, Wabash & Western railroad, now known as the Wabash.
He twice received the nomination of his party for congress to run against
Schuyler Colfax, but went down in the general defeat of the Democratic
ticket, but he made a very spirited contest for the office. He continued the
successful practice of law until his death. May 7, 1876. He was one of the
best known and most influential men of his day and generation in northern
Indiana. A lawyer of more than ordinary ability, a judge of rare judicial
analysis and a public servant that had no equal, his integrity and affability
commended him most favorably to all classes.
Some of his sterling traits seem to have been inherited by his son, Wil-
liam V. Stuart, who was greatly assisted in his youth by his father whose
6l4 PAST AND PRESENT
guidance along the early legal road was of inestimable value. He was grad-
uated from the Williston Seminary at East Hampton. Massachusetts, in 1876,
and in 1S80 he was graduated from Amherst College, having made a very
commendable record in each.
After leaving the last-named institution, Mr. Stuart returned to Lafay-
ette and entered the law office of his brothers, Charles B. and Thomas Arthur
Stuart. In 1881 and 1882 he was a student at the Columbia Law School.
Returning to Lafayette, he went into partnership with his brother, Charles
B., the firm being known as C. B. & W. V. Stuart, continuing successfully
until in 1889 they formed a partnership known as the Stuart Brothers, con-
sisting of the three brothers mentioned in this paragraph. They continued
thus until in August, 1892, when the death of Thomas A. Stuart occurred
and Judge E. P. Hammond was taken into the firm, and it became known
as Stuart Brothers & Hammond. The firm was again changed in 1899, '"
which year the death of Charles B. Stuart occurred, and D. W. Simms was
admitted to the firm, known as Stuart, Hammond & Simms, which has re-
mained the style of the firm to the present day, and it is safe to say that no
stronger firm is to be found in this or adjoining counties. They have a
large and up-to-date law library and few cases of great importance are tried
in local courts without this firm being represented.
In May, 1887, William V. Stuart was elected mayor of Lafayette, the
duties of which important office he very faithfully discharged for a period
of two years, during the course of which many substantial improvements were
inaugurated and the interests of the public carefully conserved. In 1899, Mr.
Stuart was appointed a member of the board of trustees of Purdue University,
later elected president of the board, serving in that capacity until June, 1907.
Having the interests of this great institution at heart, he gave it his best
services.
June 17, 1896, ^^"illiam V, Stuart was married to ]\Iiss Geneve Reynolds,
the talented and cultured daughter of James M, Reynolds, formerly general
manager of the Monon railroad and a man prominent in railroad circles for
many years. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Stuart has been blessed by the
birth of one daughter, who answers to the name of Sophie Wolcott. The
date of her birth was October i, 1899.
Besides his individual law practice, which keeps him very busy, Mr.
Stuart is the manager of business interests of no small magnitude, and he
ranks deservedly high in business, legal and social circles of this county, a
worthy son of a worthy sire. Companionable and unassuming, public-spirited
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 615
and progressive in all that the term implies, he occupies a position of influ-
ence and honor in a community noted for the high order of its citizenship.
GEORGE WINTER.
oeorge Winter was born at Port Sea, England, in 1810, of a talented
and cultured family and the youngest of fourteen children. The foundations
for his subsequent career as a noted artist were laid under favorable circum-
stances, for he was brought up amid the most propitious environment — an
art atmosphere — and his genius was fostered and encouraged. After a pre-
liminary course of private instruction, he went to London, entered the Royal
Academy, and there lived and worked with artists for four years, making
rapid headway in his chosen calling. About 1830, when twenty years of age,
he came to New York city, and after a residence of seven years in the
metropolis started for the middle West, landing at Logansport, Indiana. As
he once expressed it, he was lured to Indiana in order to be present at the
councils of Col. A. C. Pepper, of the village of Kuwau-Nay, in regard to the
Pottawatomie emigfation west of the Mississippi. He had an artist's inter-
est in the red men of the West, and many of his famous paintings are of
Pottawatomie and Miami chiefs. In 1837, at the request of her family, Mr.
Winter visited Frances Slocum at her home in Deaf Man's Village, near
Peru, Indiana, and made a portrait of her. She was famous for having
been stolen by Indians from her white parents in Pennsylvania when only
three years of age, and she lived all her subsequent life with the Indians as
one of them. She revealed her identity to Col. G. W. Ewing, of Fort Wayne,
when she was past middle life and thought to be on her death bed. While
she recovered and lived many years afterward, she refused to leave her
Indian friends and take up her residence with her own relatives.
In 1840 Mr. Winter married Mary Squier, of New Carlisle, Ohio. She
was born at Dayton, that state, and was the daughter of Timothy and Rebecca
(Tucker) Squier, the former the son of the famous Revolutionary soldier,
Ellis Squier, who was born in Essex county. New Jersey, September 17,
1746, and was in the New Jersey militia, subject to call for special duty in the
Revolutionary Avar when needed for emergencies or to fill out a company
short of men. He died in Montgomery county, Ohio, in August, 1824. To'
George Winter and wife three children were born, namely: Annette, now
6l6 PAST AND PRESENT
the wife of Gordon Ball, a prominent resident of Lafayette; George W'inter,
Jr., the eldest of the family; and Agnes, who died in childhood.
It was about 1840 when Mr. Winter produced many of his best known
pictures, especially those depicting Indian life and the battlefield of Tippe-
canoe. He remained at Logansport until 1850, in which year he moved to
Lafayette, residing in the latter city until his death with the exception of
three years, from 1873 to 1876, which were spent in California. He died
suddenly in 1876 while seated in a public audience at an opera house, having
been seized with apoplexy. His widow survived him until August 11, 1899.
Besides a great number of oil paintings and works in water color and
ivory miniature, which are of both artistic and historical value, Mr. Winter
left some writings in connection with them that are very interesting from an
historical view. A more extended description of his work will be found in
this volume in the article dealing with local art. One of his paintings is of
himself when a young man. It shows the deep blue eyes, calm, clear, ex-
pressive, and the fine, clear-cut features of a face of a man evidently of poetic
temperament, surmounted by chestnut hair in curls and ringlets. In later
life he became stouter and more portly. As might be surmised, he was a man
who loved nature, and the Indians had a fascination for one of his poetic
temperament, and his interest in them was potent in shaping his career. He
has by his brush and pen rendered high service to historic Tippecanoe. He
was truly a great man, a man whom to know was to respect not only for his
marked talent, but also for his pleasing address and his exemplary life.
HENRY TAYLOR.
This formerly well-known citizen, long since deceased, is kindly remem-
bered by many of the older generation as one of Lafayette's progressive men.
He was born at Hamilton, Ohio, January 18, 1826, and resided in the place
of his nativity until he had completed his twenty-sixth year. He went through
the public schools in the usual way and attended Miami University at the same
time that Governor Morton was a member of the student body in that insti-
tution. Ever afterwards he and the famous War Governor were warm friends
and often met during "the days that tried men's souls." After leaving the
university Mr. Taylor studied law in the office of Thomas Milligan at Hamil-
ton, but the confinement and close application to books threatened his health
to such an extent that he abandoned his ambition to become a lawyer. Re-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 617
moving to Lafayette he engaged in the kimber business, met with increasing
success from year to year until eventually the Henry Taylor Lumber Com-
pany was recognized as one of the important industries of Lafayette. The
business was greatly extended after his death by the energetic management
of his son-in-law, Mr. Stillwell. Mr. Taylor, aside from his private concerns,
always found time to take an active interest in public affairs or whatever
was calculated to benefit the city. In i860 he was appointed by Governor
Morton one of the trustees having in charge the establishment of Purdue
University, and was largely instrumental in having it located at its present
site. Lafayette owes him an unpayable debt of gratitude for his invaluable
services in this important matter. In 1870 Mr. Taylor was nominated on the
Republican ticket as a candidate for state senator, was elected and served until
1874.
In 1852, Mr. Taylor married Isabelle D. Sample, and their wedding trip
emphasizes the contrast between the transportation systems of that day and
this. The first stage of their journey from Lafayette to Indianapolis was
made in a coach and four, from there to the Ohio river at Madison by the
only railroad in the state at that time, and up the river to Cincinnati, their
objective point being Hamilton. Ohio. Mrs. Taylor was the daughter of
Henry T. and Sarah (Sumwalt) Sample, the latter a native of Baltimore,
Maryland. The father was born near Middletown, Ohio, in 1805, and came
to Lafayette from \\'inchester, Indiana, on a trading trip, just one week
after the city was first laid out. In the following year, 1826, he married Sarah
Sumwalt and came to Lafayette to live. He owned a tannery, a pork and
beef packing establishment and a large stock farm in Benton county. He
became prosperous and was noted as a man of influence and public spirit. His
only living children are Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. David McBride and Robert W.
Sample. Henry Taylor and his wife were warm personal friends of Governor
Morton and whenever he visited Lafayette he was a welcome guest at their
hospitable abode.
In the early part of 1884 Mr. Taylor completed the construction of a
beautiful residence standing on high ground surn untied liv well-kept h'viis
and commanding a wide view over a wide area. Under the guidance of IMrs.
Taylor, and directed by her good taste, this home was handsomely furnished
and possessed all the conveniences of a fashionable dwelling. It was such a
place as one would pick out as a retreat for his latter days, but alas for the
vanity of human wishes, scarcely six months had elapsed when the designer
and builder was in his grave. For more than thirtv-two vears Henrv Tavlor
6l8 PAST AND PRESENT
had been at the head of a liousehold in which lie found his chief dehght. Of
his two children, one died in infancy and the other, Salhe B. Taylor, married
William F. Stilhvell. In 1898, she too was called to follow her father, leav-
ing an only daughter, Isabel F. Stillwell, who resides with her father and
grandmother at the Taylor homestead.
HON. ROBERT P. DAVIDSON.
Standing out distinctly as one of the central figures of the judiciary of
Indiana in his day and generation is the name of Hon. Robert P. Davidson.
Prominent in legal circles and equally so in public matters beyond the con-
fines of his own jurisdiction, with a brilliant reputation in one of the most
exacting of professions that won him a name for distinguished service second
to that of none of his contemporaries, there was long no more prominent
or honored man in the locality which he dignified with his citizenship. Wear-
ing the judicial ermine with becoming dignity and bringing to every case
submitted to him a clearness of perception and power of analysis character-
istic of the learned jurist, his name and work for years was allied with the
legal institutions, public enterprises and political interests of the state in such
a way as to earn him recognition as one of the distinguished citizens of a
community noted for the high order of its talent. A high purpose and an
unconquerable will, vigorous mental powers, diligent study and devotion to
duty are some of the means by which he made himself eminently useful, and
every ambitious youth who fights the battle of life with the prospect of
ultimate success may peruse with profit the biography herewith presented.
Although the earthly career of this distinguished gentleman closed on
Wednesday evening, April 14, 1909, after an illness lasting from December
31, 1908, his influence still, pervades the lives of those with whom he asso-
ciated. He was the oldest member of the Tippecanoe county bar, a lone tree
in what was once a mighty forest of stalwarts ; eminent in the legal profes-
sion, a high type of American citizenship and a devoted Christian, whose
intelligence, friendship, integrity and general character won for him a circle
of friends described in number by the one word legion. In reviewing the
life-work- and character of so important a citizen as he who but yesterday
walked and mingled with his fellowmen, performing every known duty,
guided only by the manly traits that men and women evervwhere call noble,
the biographer can not hope to give the reader more than a glimpse of this
busy man's well-spent career.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 619
Judge Robert Parks Davidson was born in Nicholas county, Kentucky,
October 26, 1826, of Scotch ancestry on both the paternal and maternal
sides, his family being one of the highly respected of the pioneer settlers.
Thomas Davidson, the pioneer grandfather, was born in Pennsylvania, set-
tled in Kentucky in an early day and died there many years ago. He was
noted for his personal courage and high sense of honor. The maternal
grandfather, James Parks, Sr., emigrated from Pennsylvania about 1790
and located in Nicholas county, Kentucky, where he died May 6, 1836. His
family was of English origin, and numerous members of the same became
distinguished in various walks of life. James Parks, Sr., who was a promi-
nent merchant and trader in his community, represented his county in the
Kentucky legislature and he also served very creditably in the state senate,
having been contemporary with the Wicliffes and Marshalls. A loyal Presby-
terian, he served faithfully for a period of forty years as elder in the Asso-
ciate Reformed Presbyterian church.
Judah Davidson, father of Judge Davidson of this memoir, was the
fourth son of Thomas Davidson. He received such educational training as
the early schools afforded, and when he reached maturity he married Mary
(Steele) Davidson on December 11, 1825. She was the tenth child in the
family of James Parks, Sr., and wife, and to this union two sons were born,
of whom Robert P. was the oldest. When deceased was but two years of
age, the father died, leaving the two fatherless boys and the widowed mother
to battle on without the aid and counsel of a father and husband. The mother
was a woman of intelligence and genuine piety. The mother and her sons
went to the home of the former's parents, and the sons were given the op-
portunities offered by the common schools of those days. When fourteen
years of age Robert P. Davidson was placed in an academy, and at intervals
worked at farm labor, in the meantime preparing himself for college. He
accordingly entered the freshman class of Miami University, in May, 1845,
with the intention of preparing himself for the ministry, but changing to
Center College, Kentucky, in the winter of 1847-1848, he pursued his studies
there and was graduated from that institution in June, 1848, ranking among
the best of the large graduating class of that year, and in recognition of his
merits, this institution, three years later, conferred upon him the degree of
Master of Arts. After graduating he turned his attention to teaching for
a short time, then began the study of law, having abandoned the idea of
becoming a minister. He was licensed to practice in the courts in February,
1 85 1, and soon afterwards entered the law office of the late Judge Joseph C.
Suit, at Frankfort. Clinton county, this state, later forming a partnership
620 PAST AND PRESENT
with this noted jurist. He was also at one time associated with Hon. Joseph
Claybaugh. his brother-in-law. an ex-judge of the Clinton county circuit
court. Mr. Davidson became prosecuting attorney for Clinton county, and
he served as judge of the common pleas court in the fifties. In the midst
of all his various legal duties he found time to do considerable editorial
writing on the Franklin Argus, later known as the Crescent, which name
he gave the paper. He continued in the practice at Frankfort until Novem-
ber, 1863, when he moved to Lafayette, during the most exciting period of
the great Civil war. The rigid study of the law and his close application to
his chosen profession made him profound in thought and broad-minded in the
truest sense of the term. As a public speaker, while not a flowery orator, he
was a strong, logical speaker, his language being of that clear, concise and
forcible type that always had its weight with an audience, especially with
courts and jurymen, who recognized the fact that he had a wonderful legal
mind. In his personal bearing the Judge was of rather retiring disposition,
always a gentleman, possessed of true politeness, courteous and obliging, very
gentle mannered, true hearted and sympathetic, at all times and places. He
always had the best interests of his client at heart, and was firm in the pre-
sentation of his arguments in the court room. He remained a profound
student of law up to the time of his death. His briefs in cases taken to higher
courts were considered masterpieces.
His career in Lafayette was a series of triumphs, having in 1864 entered
the law office of \\'. D. Alace. but subsequently formed a partnership with
Hon. Richard P. DeHart. At one time he was a law partner of Capt. W.
De\\'itt Wallace and still later he was associated with his son, Joseph C.
Davidson, who is now practicing in Chicago. His next law partner was
Daniel E. Storms, ex-secretary of state, who now resides in Nevada. His
last partner was Allen Boulds, admitted to the firm in 1897. Thus it will
be seen that he was associated with numerous excellent attorneys during his
long practice. From time to time he aided many young men to solve difficult
legal problems and he has started them out on their careers as attorneys with
a good degree of assured success. His knowledge of law made him an author-
ity in manv intricate legal cases in Tippecanoe and other counties. The fol-
lowing, which appeared in an editorial of one of the newspapers of his home
citv the morning after his death, is an accurate summing up of his legal
ability :
"He possessed an analytical mind, and being so well read in law, he
scored every point the case would admit of. In court he was a fighter for
every inch of ground and was always respected by his opponents. He was
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 621
connected with some of the most important lawsuits filed in this and adjoin-
ing co.unties, and his advice was sought by other attorneys who well knew
the value of the legal lore he possessed."
Not alone in law did Judge Davidson become efficient, but as a political
worker in the ranks of the Democratic party he did valuable work. During
the Lincoln and Douglas presidential campaign, he was active in the interest
of his party, and had the honor of being one of the Douglas electors, and
four years later he was an elector for Abraham Lincoln for his second term.
He was what is styled in political history "a war Democrat" and bitterly
opposed the institution of human slavery. During our great civil strife,
Governor Morton appointed him draft commissioner. After the war had
ended Judge Davidson did not participate again in politics until he was
elected a representative to the legislature, serving in the sessions of 1871-1872.
In 1902 he was defeated for the state senatorship by Hon. William R. Wood.
He was never a radical partisan, believing that all parties tried to make plat-
forms for the good of the masses, hence he was charitable and never offen-
sive in his political declarations.
The true test of manhood may generally be found about the home
hearthstone, and in this phase of his interesting life Judge Davidson was
shown in his best light, his domestic relations being of the most harmonious
and happiest type. He formed a matrimonial alliance on May 15, 1849, with
Jennie S. Claybaugh, daughter of the late Rev. Joseph Claybaugh, D. D.,
who was for many years professor of theology at Oxford Seminary (Ohio).
This union was blessed by the birth of five sons and two daughters, five of
whom survive, namely: Joseph C, of Chicago; Mrs. Mary P. Russell, also
of Chicago; Margaret B., who is living in Lafayette; Horace C, of Aurora,
Illinois; and Dr. Edward C, of Lafayette. Robert P., Jr., died in 1889, and
James T. died in 1904. After a beautiful Christian life, Mrs. Davidson
closed her eyes on earthly scenes, January 26, 1908, a few months in ad-
vance of her husband, who really never fully recovered from the sad affliction
•caused from being separated from one who had traveled with him so many
years as a loving, faithful companion.
Concerning his religious faith, it can be said that he very naturally
found his church home within the fold of the Presbyterian church, as his
forefathers had all been of that faith. For almost a half century he was an
exemplary member and was long an elder of the First Presbyterian church
of Lafayette. He was a home man, and he was usually found at his fireside
when not at his office, for he affiliated with no clubs or secret societies. This
love of the quietude of home was perhaps responsible for his limited traveling.
622 PAST AND PRESENT
He also took a delight in looking after his farming interests, which were
extensive. He was always entertaining, a man of mnch universal knowledge
and a companionable conversationalist.
At his funeral, the members of the bar, who held him in the very highest
esteem, attended in a body. The Rev. A. C. V. Skinner, pastor of the First
Presbyterian church, conducted the services, paying a high tribute to the
departed dead. Friends came from long distances to pay their last respects
to the mortal remains of him who in his lifetime had befriended and mingled
with them as companions on the road of life. Thus, beneath a wealth of
beautiful garlands, surrounded by sorrowing old-time and younger friends,
the pallbearers bore the tabernacle that had held this worthy man's great soul
to its last resting- place in Spring\ille cenietery. where it sleeps the sleep of the
just.
At a meeting of the bar association, held April 24th, eulogies were pro-
nounced by leading members, and appropriate resolutions were passed and
spread upon the records of the superior and circuit courts.
JA^IES M. STINGLE.
Incumbent of the office of county assessor and holding worthy prestige
as a citizen, the subject of this sketch has been much in the public gaze and
merits more than passing notice among the representative men of the county
which has been his home since his birth. James I\I. Stingle was born near
Purdue University in Wabash township on the 28th day of August, 1862,
being a son of Levi and Emily ( Kellogg) Stingle, natives of Pennsylvania
and Ohio, respectively. Levi Stingle came to Tippecanoe county a number
of years ago and in due time became widely known as a successful farmer
and stockraiser; by industry and frugality, directed and controlled by sound
judgment and business ability of a high order, he accumulated a handsome
fortune and at the time of his death left a large estate, including the family
homestead in Wabash township and other valuable realty, besides personal
property of considerable amount. He was greatly esteemed throughout the
county, enjoyed the confidence of his fellowmen to a marked degree and in his
efiforts to promote his own interests was not unmindful of the interests and
welfare of others. He lived to the age of seventy-two and was called from
the scenes of his earthly labors and triumphs in 1899. his death being deeply
mourned and profoundly regretted by the people among whom he had spent
TIPPF.CANOE COUNTY, IND. 623
SO many years. Mrs. Stingle, who proved a worthy wife and helpmeet and
to whose judicious counsel her husband was indebted for no small part of
his success, departed this life in 1889, when sixty-two years of age. Levi
and Emily Stingle were the parents of seven children, three of whom died
in infancy or early childhood, the names of the surviving members of the
family being as follows: James M., subject of this sketch; Harry E., who
lives in California ; Eva A., wife of James A. Bell, of West Lafayette, and
Lillie E., who married Pogue Myers and lives in the city of Lafayette. Both
parents had been previously married and each had one child when they be-
came husband and wife.
James M. Stingle was reared amid the bracing airs and wholesome in-
fluence of rural life, and his early experience on the farm had much to do in
developing a strong, well-rounded character and directing his future course
of action. He was educated in the public schools and the Lafayette Com-
mercial College and, on leaving home to make his own way in the world,
engaged in the livery business at Lafayette, which he conducted with fair
success for a period of ten years. Disposing of his establishment at the ex-
piration of that time Mr. Stingle, in 1904, was appointed deputy county
assessor, the duties of which position he discharged in a very acceptable
manner, for one term, during which time he became so widely acquainted
throughout the county and made so many warm friends that when he an-
nounced his candidacy for the office held by his superior, his nomination was
a foregone conclusion. In the election which followed he defeated his com-
petitor by a majority of five hundred and ninety-five votes.
Mr. Stingle has proven a very efficient and obliging public servant. He
conducts his office in an able and straightforward business-like manner, exer-
cises sound discretion in the matter of values and is absolutely fair and im-
partial in his treatment of property holders, so that the public, irrespective
of political allignment. have the utmost confidence in his judgment and in-
tegrity. As indicated above, he is a Republican and an active worker for the
success of his party, especially in local afifairs, concerning which his opinions
and advice always carry weight and command respect. Mr. Stingle is con-
nected with several secret fraternal orders, including the Knights of Pythias
and Improved Order of Red Men, in the former of which he holds the title of
past chancellor. The local lodges to which he belongs are indebted to him
for much of the success they now enjoy.
Mr. Stingle's domestic life dates from March 9, 1885, at which time
he was united in marriage with Drusilla Belle Huffman, of Lafayette, and a
daughter of Noah and Elizabeth (Nagle) Huffman, the father a son of Rev.
624
PAST AXD PRESEXT
Jonathan Huffman, a pioneer of Tippecanoe county and one of the first
Methodist ministers in this part of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Stingle have
three children, namely : Robert, a student of Purdue University, Ethel and
Bernice, the former pursuing her studies in the high school of West Lafay-
ette, the latter a student of the lower grades. In religious belief Mr. Stingle
subscribes to the Baptist creed, his wife being a ^Methodist and a zealous
and useful member of the local church to which she belongs.
SAMUEL S. WASHBURX. M. D.
Dr. Samuel S. Washburn, who is now the longest in practice of any
physician, save possibly one, in Tippecanoe county, and still enjoying the
confidence of the populace in his present-day practice in the city of Lafayette,
was born September i, 1839, at Rushville, Lidiana. He is the son of Isaac
and IMariah (Bratton) Washburn. The father was born in Ohio and was
by trade a tanner and followed it until the ^lexican war came on. He then
enlisted in the army raised to put down that conflict and was promoted to
sergeant-major of the Second Kentucky Regiment of Infantry. He was
wounded at the battle of Buena Vista and died a pensioner, by reason of his
Mexican war service. After that war he located at Owensboro, Kentucky,
where he became the editor of a newspaper, continuing in that profession until
his death in December. 1876. He was the father of six children, as follows:
Nancy, Elihue, Robert R.. Sarah, Zarelda, and Samuel S. of this notice.
The mother of this family died in 1885: she was a devoted member of the
Presbyterian church, having united at the age of fifteen years. The sub-
ject's father, Isaac \\'ashburn, was of the Universalist faith. Politically,
he was a Democrat.
Doctor Washburn had the ad\antage of the public schools in Rush coun-
ty, Indiana, and later studied under a private tutor. He chose the science of
medicine as his profession, and studied under Dr. D. W. Stirman, of Owens-
boro, Kentucky, and entered the medical department of the University of
Louisville, Kentucky, from which most excellent institution he was graduated
in the month of ^March, 1861. He then saw the country was in need of men
to suppress the Rebellion which had opened in April of that year, and enlisted
as a member of the Sixteenth Regiment, Indiana \^olunteer Infantry, serving
until the autumn of 1863, when he was discharged by reason of disability, hav-
ing contracted typhoid pneumonia. During his entire army career he was on
JjfyhdAvU^^^^ v^^,
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 625
the medical staff and was assistant surgeon and hospital steward. After he
returned from the army, he located at Decatur, Illinois, where he practiced
medicine four years, then located at Dayton, Indiana, where he continued
seven years and built up an extensive medical practice in that section of the
country. In 1874 he came to the city of Lafayette, where he has ever since
practiced and is now the longest in practice of any physician in the place.
He is a member of the Tippecanoe County Medical Society, as well as a
member of the State and American Medical Associations. He reads the latest
medical works and is a subscriber to and benefits by the reading of the various
medical publications. By keeping fully abreast with the modern methods
in his profession, he is accounted an up-to-date physician and surgeon. He
has a large and successful practice, being the "family doctor" for many of
the leading families of the city and its environments.
Politically, the Doctor is a believer in the general principles of the
Democratic party. In 1889 he was a candidate for state representative, and
at a time when the county went a thousand majority Republican he was only
defeated by about four hundred votes.
In civic society relations, the Doctor is connected with Masonry, being
a past master of the Masonic lodge, having held that office four years, and
is always interested in all that pertains to this ancient and honorable frater-
nity. He is knowm as a bright Mason.
Coming to his domestic life, it may be said in this connection that he
was united in marriage November 22, 1864, to Lucy B. English, daughter
of James English and wife, of Mt. Auburn, Illinois. The issue by this union
was five children, as follows : Alva C, Savilla, Van Clifford, James H. and
Olivia Belle, all deceased, except the sons, A. C. and J. H. James H. is an
actuary for the Hartford Life Insurance Company, and resides at Hartford,
Connecticut : A. C, the Doctors other son, is actuary for the Mexico- Amer-
icana Life Insurance Company and resides in Mexico.
To have practiced in the homes of Tippecanoe county so long as Dr.
Washburn has, and met with success; to have seen service in his country's
war days ; to have been connected with county and municipal government and
advocated his political principles, against fearful odds, and reared a family,,
members of which are today holding places of trust and responsibility in
this and a foreign countr}-, is an indication that his career has been fraught
with more than ordinary success. In the city of Lafayette he has been coun-
cilman from the sixth ward for eighteen years and was president of the-
board of city commissioners four years.
(40)
626 PAST AND PRESENT
JUDGE CYRUS BALL.
An enumeration of the representative citizens of Tippecanoe county of
a former generation who won success and recognition for themselves and
at the same time conferred honor upon the community, would be decidedly
incomplete were there failure to make mention of Judge Cyrus Ball, who
long held worthy prestige in legal and political circles. He was always dis-
tinctively a man of affairs, who wielded a wide influence among those with
whom his lot was cast, ever having the affairs of his county at heart and
did what he could to aid in its development, then passed serenely on to his
eternal rest, leaving behind him a priceless heritage to his family and friends —
the record of a life well spent and a good name.
Judge Cyrus Ball, long a prominent citizen of Indiana, was born in
Lebanon, Warren county, Ohio, May 30, 1804, the youngest of a family of
six children, four brothers and two sisters. His early education was meager,
having attended schools of a primitive kind for three months during the
winter, his work on the farm depriving him of further time to devote to his
text-books. However, he spent a great deal of time reading history and
miscellaneous subjects, and while quite a young man was enabled to begin
teaching in one of the country schools. In 1825 he left the farm and read
law awhile, having at an early age decided to enter the legal profession, and
he was admitted to the bar in Ohio in 1826. He came west with his cousin,
Justice Harlan, in that year. In the spring of 1827 he went to Baltimore,
Marj-land, and bought a stock of merchandise and brought the same to
Lafayette, Indiana, and he and his brother started a general store here.
After two and one-half years, Cyrus assumed entire control of the business,
which had steadily grown from the first. In 1828 Cyrus Ball was admitted
to the bar in Indiana and the following year he was elected justice of the
peace, serving five years. In 1835 he was defeated for the ofifice by Mathias
Peterson, a Democrat. He then formed a partnership with James Hill and
Peter S. Jennings, embarking in the dry goods business. Mr. Hill died in
1837 and the firm became Ball & Jennings. The former sold out to the latter,
and, in connection with his brother, purchased the property at the northwest
corner of Third and Main streets, paying the sum of one hundred and fifty
dollars for the lot.
In 1832 Mr. Ball was married to Cornelia Smith, who died within three
years after their marriage. On May 8, 1838, he was married to Rebecca
Gordon, of Philadelphia; she was born in that city. May 16, 1816, and she
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 627
came to Lafayette in 1837. To this union five children were born, namely:
Gordon, Seneca, Eugene, Cornelia and Richard. Mrs. Ball was of a decided-
ly poetic nature, and she was always bright, cheerful and happy. She was
a woman of rare intellect, of fine judgment, having wonderful powers of tact
and discrimination. She penned many dainty gems of verse, some of them
manifestly from the depth of the heart, and displayed a wealth of poetic
genius.
When the Black Hawk war began Judge Ball and William Reynolds
went to the front, passing through Chicago, at that time an insignificant
little trading post. Upon their arrival there they were unable to buy enough
feed for their horses, there being practically no business of this nature there.
The Wabash & Erie canal made Judge Ball collector of tolls in 1840,
and in 1841 he was appointed cashier in the branch at Lafayette of the State
Bank of Indiana, retaining that position until the charter expired and the
bank went into liquidation. Business was carried on at the southwest corner
of Sixth and Main streets until the charter expired in 1859, at which time
Judge Ball purchased the lots and improvements, which are now the property
of his son, Gordon Ball.
Cyrus Ball was elected one of the three associate judges in 1840 for this
district, and he was soon regarded as a splendid jurist, fair and possessing
the highest integrity. He had a mind capable of the most careful judicial
analysis and he carefully weighed in the balance all problems submitted to
him and soon displayed a profound knowledge of jurisprudence, his decisions
seldom meeting with reversal at the hands of a higher tribunal.
When the Lafayette Artificial Gas Company was started. Judge Ball
became president and held considerable stock in the same, and its large suc-
cess was very largely due to his able management. With Albert S. White,
the Judge was chiefly instrumental in the construction of the railroad to
Indianapolis, many years ago, which is now a part of the Big Four system.
When he retired from the banking business. Judge Ball built an elegant
residence on South Ninth street where he lived until his death. June 30,
1893, having reached a ripe old age, full of honors and success. Although
it was dangerous to do so, he entertained the noted William Lloyd Garrison
and other well known abolitionists at his home. Mrs. Cyrus Ball joined her
distinguished husband in the silent land on January 16, 1900. Her son,
Seneca Ball, who became prominent in business and railroad circles, died De-
cember 19, 1907. Eugene Ball died in Vienna, while United States consul to
Budapest. Cornelia Ball died just as she had blossomed into womanhood.
Thus Gordon Ball, of Lafayette, is now the only living member of the family.
628 PAST AND PRESENT
Judge Ball was a man of unusual business ability, having been an or-
ganizer and a promoter, possessing the rare ability to foresee the outcome
of business transactions and he was regarded as a leader in business circles
for a half century. He died without a blemish on his character, there having
been manifest in his character the highest sense of honor and the strictest
integrity. In disposition he was kind, tender, yet firm, straightforward and
no man was more determined in the execution of his plans when once
he decided that he was right. Broad and liberal in his views, enterprising
and resourceful, he was a power in every enterprise he undertook. He took
the delight of a boy in innocent sports, and nothing delighted him more than
to romp with his children. His old age was cheered by frequent fishing trips
to the Kankakee, Wild Cat and the Wabash. His useful life ended as he
had lived it — without a shade to darken its passage into the great beyond. Tip-
pecanoe county will never know a more useful, grander character than he.
MAJOR WARREN R. KING, M. D.
The subject of this sketch, who is chief surgeon of the Soldiers' Home
and for many years recognized as one of the leading members of the med-
ical profession, is a native of Hamilton county, Indiana, born February 6,
1842. His parents, Benson and Esther (Robinson) King, natives of New
York, came west in an early day and settled about fourteen miles north of
Indianapolis, Indiana, where the father purchased land and in due time be-
came a prosperous agriculturist. He spent the remainder of his life on the
beautiful farm, which he improved, accumulated a comfortable competency
and died in August, 1845, l^is faithful companion departing this life within
six minutes after he ceased to breathe, both being interred in the same grave
at Eagle Village. Four children constituted the family of this worthy couple,
the oldest. Minor M., dying in Iowa in 1881 ; Dr. Warren R. was the second
son in order of birth; Mesdames Harriett Ellis and Martilla Sparks, the
third and fourth, respectively, reside in Connersville, this state. Being a
mere child when his parents died, young King was taken into the family of
Daniel Shortridge and wife, his uncle and aunt, to whom he attributes all the
success in life which he has attained. ^Ir. Shortridge was quite wealthy and,
becoming interested in the lad, decided to look after his training and educa-
tion and fit him for some useful calling. At the proper age, therefore, he
attended the Fairview Academy, and, having chosen medicine as the profes-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 629
sion most suited to his tastes and inclinations, he subsequently began the
study of the same in the Iowa Medical College at Keokuk, where he com-
pleted their prescribed course.
Dr. Kino' prosecuted his professional studies under many disadvantages
and discouragements, superinduced by a somewhat disastrous military expe-
rience, in which he received a severe wound, which rendered him a cripple
for hfe. Entering the army in opposition to his uncle's wishes caused an
estrangement between the two, and when his relative ceased supplying the
necessary funds for his support, the young man was thrown upon his own
resources, which, by reason of his injury, were somewhat limited. Determin-
ing to finish his studies, however, he let nothing deter him from this accom-
plishment, but his poverty was such as to cause him great inconvenience and no
little suffering while prosecuting his collegiate course, being at one time
compelled to rent a miserably poor little room for one dollar per month and
sleeping on the floor with a soldier's blanket as his only bed and covering.
Despite unfavorable environments and a scanty diet, he applied himself zeal-
ously to his studies and researches. During his last course of lectures he
served as a medical cadet in the hospital at Keokuk.
On leaving college. Dr. King received a position as paymaster's clerk
in the United States navy, which he held for a period of eight months, at
the expiration of which time he began the practice of his profession in Miami
county, Indiana, locating at Miami in the spring of 1865 and remaining in
that place until his removal, in 1876, to Greenfield, Indiana, where, during
the ensuing twenty years, he built up a large and lucrative business and
where he still maintains his residence.
Dr. King served ten years on the board of pension examiners of Hancock
county and for five years was medical director of the department of Indiana,
Grand Army of the Republic, besides holding for one year the position of
surgeon-general, national encampment. Grand Army of the Republic, to which
he was elected at Boston in 1904. The Doctor was a leading spirit in arous-
ing an interest in the matter of erectmg a monument in honor of ex-Governor
Oliver P. Morton, and to him, more perhaps than to any other man, is due
the inauguration and carrying to successful conclusion of the movement which
culminated in the beautiful and appropriate memorial which now adorns the
state capitol. He was present at the unveiling of the monument and, as
chairman of the commission, took an active part in the ceremonies. It was
on the same day, also, that he was tendered the position of chief surgeon of
the Soldiers' Home, at Lafayette, which he now holds and the duties of
which he assumed in April, 1908.
630 PAST AND PRESENT
In the important and responsible office with which he has been honored,
Dr. King measures up to the requirements of the management of the insti-
tution and thus far his course has been eminently creditable and satisfactory,
fully meeting the high expectations of his friends and the public, ever justi-
fying the wisdom of his choice. In his professional work he has two capable
assistants and the hospital corps at this time consists of eighteen nurses, se-
lected with especial reference to their efficiency and skill. There are now in
the various wards seventy-seven female and fifty-one male patients under
tieatment, to whom the chief surgeon gives personal ser\-ice. in addition to
which duty he also looks carefully after the condition of the institution and
its inmates, insisting upon due attention to the sanitary regulations which
he has inaugurated, the beneficial results of which are already perceptible in
the increasing good health throughout the establishment.
Dr. King's best energies have ever been devoted to his profession and
his pronounced ability has gained him a position in the front rank among the
leading medical practitioners of Indiana. As stated in preceding paragraphs,
many honors in connection with his profession have been bestowed upon him
and in every position to which called he has added luster to a name which
for many years has been widely known in medical circles throughout his own
and other states.
Dr. King has twice been married, the tirst time in 1865, to Martha
Haynes, of Miami county, who died in 1881, after bearing him one son,
Frank R. King, who is connected with the Piqua National Bank, of Piqua,
Ohio. The Doctor's second wife was Belle Reed, whom he married in
Greenfield, in 1882, his present companion, the union being -without issue.
Fraternally, Dr. King is a Mason of high standing, having attained the
council degree, besides holding, from time to time, important official positions
in the different branches of the order. In politics, he is a Republican, with
Prohibition tendencies, being an earnest advocate of temperance and an in-
fluential worker in propagating the principles of the same. With his wife,
he belongs to the Christian church, holding membership with the congrega-
tion at Greenfield.
Dr. King is the only male survivor of his family. His grandfather,
Joshua King, of New York, moved down the Ohio river, by flat boat, at an
early day, landing at the farm of General Harrison about the year 1820.
Two years later he transferred his residence to Fayette county, Indiana. The
Doctor's father purchased the eighty acres of land in Hamilton county of
Captain Sleeker, of Fayette county, who originally entered the same. O1
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 63 1
the paternal side, the Doctor's ancestors are traced to France, his grand-
mother having belonged to the La Force family, which had representatives in
the United States from a very early time.
THOMAS BAUER.
Thomas Bauer, president of the Lafayette Box Board and Paper Com-
pany, is a native of Pennsylvania, born at Nazareth, Northampton county,
July I, i860, the son of Jacob and Marie (Marsh) Bauer. He of whom
this notice is written was reared in his native county and remained there until
eighteen years of age, when the family moved to Akron, Ohio, where young
Bauer became employed as a salesman in a retail clothing store. He re-
mained in Akron for eight years, during which time he married.
In 1886, on account of ill health. Mr. Bauer was obliged to seek a differ-
ent kind of work. During that j^ear, and when the natural gas industry was
first being developed at Kokomo, Indiana, he was employed by the Kokomo
Straw Board Company. He connected himself with this factory with the
notion of being only temporarily in such line of business, but he took hold
with a right good will and determination to perform every known duty in
the best possible manner. He worked in various departments and was rapidly
advanced. In 1892 he removed to Yorktown, near Muncie, Indiana, where
a new strawboard factory was built and of which plant he became manager.
Tliere he remained until 1902, when he disposed of his interest and the fol-
lowing year came to Lafayette, where he organized the Lafayette Box Board
and Paper Company and has ever since been identified with the city of Lafay-
ette and her general business interests.
?:Ir. B?uer, who is nt the held of this, the laro'est plant nf its line of
products in the world, believes that diligence is the only key to signal success.
He is competent to take charge and manage any of the many departments of
the large business with which he has achieved so large an amount of success,
and has become so widely known. Being thus fully acquainted with all the
many details of producing the products of his extensive factory, he is com-
petent to handle the large number of men he has in his emplnv, thev realizing
rh;it he is competent to judge and give advice at CTch nnd everv point from
where the raw materials are brought to the factory, on through the various
processes to the point where the goods are shipped to the open markets of
the world.
632 PAST AND PRESENT
While Mr. Bauer is a man of affairs and engrossed in the hne of work
which he so successfully operates in, yet he is a man among men, is public-
spirited and in no manner neglects the social functions of modern life and
activities. He is connected with the Masonic fraternity, having advanced to
the thirty-second degree in that most ancient and honorable order. He is
also affiliated with that younger but none the less valuable and popular fia-
ternity, the Knights of Pythias, of which he is a member of the grand lodge of
Indiana.
In his political views Mr. Bauer is a Republican, believing that that
political party best subserves the interests of the masses of American citizens.
Mr. Bauer was united in marriage August 6, 1885, to Addie Cordelia
Hunsicker, a native of Akron, Ohio. While Mr. Bauer is one of the busiest
business factors in the Star City, he has the happy faculty of dispatching his
affairs in such a methodical manner as to have time to give to matters out-
side and is ever ready to impart information concerning a plant which has
come to be second to none in this country, as well as one of Lafayette's chief
manufacturing industries. Of the detailed history and workings of this fac-
tory the reader of this work is referred to the industrial chapters.
HON. EDWIX P. HAMMOND.
Judge E. P. Hammond, attorney-at-law, Lafayette, well known through-
out the state as a lawyer, judge of the supreme court and veteran of the
Civil war (in which cause he took the Union side and for gallant deeds
was more than once promoted, finally to brevet colonel), will form the sub-
ject of this memoir, that the deeds of his eventful life may be made safe
in the annals of his county, to be read and duly appreciated by those who
shall come after him, searching for the brave, the patriotic and the brainy
characters who have lived and labored in Tippecanoe county, in both the
past and present century of its history.
Judge Hammond was born in Brookville, Indiana, November 26, 1835,
a son of Nathaniel and Hannah (Sering) Hammond. On the Hammond side
of his genealogical tree he is descended from New England ancestry. His
father remo\-efl from \^ermont to Indiana, and was married in Brookville.
\\'hen fourteen years of age his parents removed to Columbus. Indiana,
where he obtained such etlucation as the common schools and the seminary
at Columbus afforded. In 1854 he went to Indianapolis to accept a position
EDWIN P. HAMMOND
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 633
as a clerk in a wholesale store. During his first year thus employed
he caught a glimpse of professional life and abandoned his mercantile clerk-
ship for the study of law in the office of Hons. Abram A. Hammond and
Thomas A. Nelson, of Terre Haute. The former, his half-brother, was
elected lieutenant-governor of Indiana in 1856, and became governor of the
state on the death of Governor Willard in 1859. In 1856, after passing
an examination, he entered the senior law class of Asbury (now DePauw)
University, at Greencastle, and in 1857 received the degree of Bachelor of
Laws. He opened an office at Rensselaer, a town buried in the almost wilder-
ness prairie land. While it was a great contrast from the cities he had
resided in — Indianapolis and Terre Haute — and was a lonely spot, yet with
true courage he set forth to do and to dare and became identified with the
pioneer dwellers of that town. There he continued to live and labor for
more than thirty years and in that time built up a good legal practice.
The sound of Fort Sumter's opening cannon of the great Civil war
was echoing through the land and Lincoln's first call for men to suppress the
on-coming rebellion of the Southern states caught his ear. He enlisted in the
three-months service, and was elected and commissioned first lieutenant
of Company G, Ninth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, serving under
Captain (afterwards Colonel and General) Robert H. Milroy, in West Vir-
ginia. At the termination of his enlistment Mr. Hammond resumed his
law practice. He was elected to the Indiana legislature in October, 1861,
representing Newton, Jasper and Pulaski counties. In August, 1862, he as-
sisted in raising Company A, of the Eighty-seventh Indiana Regiment, and
was elected and commissioned its captain. March 22, 1863, he rose to the
rank of major, and November 21st of that year, to that of lieutenant-colonel.
He remained at the front, except a short time in 1863-64, when at home re-
cruiting volunteers. September 19 and 20. 1863, he participated in the fa-
mous battle of Chickamauga. His regiment went into the engagement with
three hundred and sixty-three men, and lost in killed and wounded one hun-
dred and ninety-nine men — more than half its number. During the last year
of the war he commanded his regiment, embracing one hundred days of in-
cessant fighting from Chattanooga to Atlanta. He accompanied General
Sherman on his great "march to the sea" and back through the Carolinas
to Washington. At the close of the war, on the recommendation of his
brigade, division and corps commanders, he was breveted colonel in the
United States \'olunteers, "for gallant and meritorious service during the
war."
When peace was finally declared. Colonel Hammond returned to the
practice of his profession, but in March, 1873, Gov. Thomas A. Hendricks
634 P-'^ST AND PRESENT
appointed him to the position of judge of the thirtieth judicial district, and
at tlie fall election of the same year he was elected to that otifice. Again in
1878, he was elected without opposition for a term of six years. May 14,
1883, Judge Hammond was appointed by Gov. A. G. Porter as judge of the
supreme court of the state to fill a vacancy caused by the appointment of Hon.
William A. Woods to the United States district court for Indiana. In the
autumn of 1884 he was the nominee of the Republican party for judge of
the supreme court from the fifth district, and with his party was defeated at
the polls. Though not successful of election, the fact that he received five
thousand more votes than did the head of the ticket was an evidence of his
popularity. January i, 1885, he retired from the supreme court bench,, after
gaining an enviable reputation for his judicial impartiality, firmness and judg-
ment concerning the law. For the next five years he practiced law at Rensse-
laer, after which he was again elected judge of the circuit court, serving
until August, 1892, when he resigned and formed a partnership with Charles
B. and William V. Stuart, under the firm name of Stuart Brothers & Ham-
mond (now Stuart, Hammond & Simms), with offices at Lafayette, to which
city the Judge removed in 1894. As a lawyer he has long sustained the well
earned reputation of being among the foremost legal lights of Indiana.
Gifted with a keen, analytical mind, with an intimate knowledge of the
law, his long practice and services as circuit and supreme judge make him
one of the ablest jurists of his time.
Before the Ci^il war. the Judge affiliated with the Democratic party,
but since that conflict has ever supported the principles of the Republican
party. In 1872 he was a delegate to the Republican convention at Philadel-
phia, which body nominated Gen. U. S. Grant for a second term as Presi-
dent.
Judge Hammond is a member of the Masonic, Odd Fellows, Grand
Army of the Republic, Union \^eteran Legion and Loval Legion fraternities.
He is a member of the board of managers of the Xational Home for Dis-
abled Volunteer Soldiers.
In June. 1892, Wabash College conferred on him the degree of Doctor
of Laws.
Judge Hammond married, in 1864. ^lary V. Spilter. The living chil-
dren born of this marriage union are: Louie, wife of ^^■illiam B. Austin;
Eugenia and Xina V. R. Hammond. He has two grandchildren. Virgie,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William B. Austin, married to R. M. Shayne,
and Nathaniel Hammond Hovner, son of his deceased daughter, [Mrs. Ed-
ward A. Hovner. By Prof. W. L. Cl.\rk.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 635
BENNETT TAYLOR.
That man is fortunate who can trace his lineage baclv to a sterling an-
cestry, one on the escutcheon of which no blight or shadow of anything
derogatory rests. This Bennett Taylor is able to do, since a glance at his
ancestry will show that they were both honorable and industrious, playing
well their parts in the early drama of civilization in Tippecanoe county. The
biographist first learns of William Taylor, who was a native of Virginia, a
fine southern gentleman of the old school, who, in 1808, married Florence
Graham, a daughter of a prominent family in that locality. In 1828 they
emigrated to Tippecanoe county, Indiana,, and located in that part of Ran-
dolph township that is now comprised in Union township, where he erected
a double cabin of logs in which he lived until he could make brick and erect
a more commodious residence. He was a hard worker and soon developed
a good farm and had a splendid home in the midst of the wilderness which
lie found covering the county at his advent. Both he and his wife were
highly esteemed by their neighbors. Mr. Taylor's death occurred in 1839,
and his widow survived imtil 1856. They were the grandparents of the
gentleman whose name forms the caption of this sketch. Theii son, Sylvester
Taylor, who married Sarah E. Beasley, is the father of Bennett Taylor.
Sylvester Taylor was born January 14. 1829, on the farm where his father
settled the previous year. When he had grown to proper age he assisted
with the work of developing the home place and attended the neighboring
schools, receiving a fairly good education for those early times. He began
his career by teaching school in the home neighborhood. Not being satisfied
with what education he had obtained, he attended the old seminary at Lafay-
ette. He married into a well known family of this county, that of the Rev.
A. D. Beasley. Sylvester Taylor became a very successful farmer and dealer
in livestock and grain, and was interested in a large warehouse on the Monon
ra'lroad. liandling large consignments of grain annually and becoming one of
the county's prominent business men. He was a man of strict integrity and
had the confidence of all with whom he had dealings. He lived in Lafayette
the last five years of his life, dying October 17. 1903. It was about 1853
that he established Taylor's Station.
The birth of Bennett Taylor occurred at Taylor's Station, Tippecanoe
county, December 10, 1864. This place was named for his father and his
uncle. John. Bennett Taylor attended the public schools at Taylor's Station,
636 PAST AND PRESENT
later taking an academic course at Purdue University, having been a class-
mate of George Ade, both graduating the same year, 1887. Prior to that
date he had spent one summer in Dakota. In November, 1887, Air. Bennett
went to Romney and entered the grain business and built an elevator there.
He prospered in this line and in 1895 he sold out and went to Kirkpatrick
where he bought an elevator and continued to improve it, building up an
extensive trade. Desiring to expand in this business, he leased an elevator at
South Raub in 1898, and in 1900 he purchased the same. Thirty days later
it was destroyed by fire and he built a modern one in its place. In 1901 he
came to Taylor's Station. The old warehouse had burned there in 1887.
This was replaced in 1901 by a modern structure erected for j\Ir. Taylor,
thus making him three up-to-date large elevators. Soon afterwards he and
William B. Foresman bought two elevators at West Point and leased two
other elevators on the Wabash railroad. Since then an enormous quantity
of grain has been handled annually.
In January, 1904, Mr. Taylor purchased the stock of Robert Bell in
the Crabbs-Reynolds-Bell Grain Company, which operated elevators at Lafay-
ette, Crane and Ash Grove. On July i, 1904. the company was reorganized
as the Crabbs-Reynolds-Taylor Company, incorporated with a capital stock
and bonds of two hundred thousand dollars. The following are the present
officers who have served in their respective capacities since the organization :
A. E. Reynolds, president ; B. F. Crabbs and Bennett Taylor, vice-presidents ;
T. C. Crabbs, secretary and treasurer ; William B. Foresman, auditor. A. E.
Reynolds, B. F. and T. C. Crabbs reside at Crawfordsville.
This company now has twenty elevators in dififerent parts of Indiana,
all doing a flourishing business and requiring the combined efforts of a large
number of men to successfully handle the same. No small part of the large
success of this important company is due to the judicious management, the
sound counsel and the unusual business capacity of Bennett Taylor, one of
the vice-presidents of the company.
Mr. Taylor was married on December 29, 1892, to Gertrude May Simi-
son, daughter of Dr. John Simison, the pioneer physician of Romney. He
married Harriet E. Agnew, who also represented an old and honored family.
Mrs. Taylor received a good education, having graduated from the musical
department of DePauw University in 1890 and from the regular course of
that institution in 1891. She was also an active member of Alpha Phi fra-
ternity. She is a woman of many commendable personal traits which render
her a favorite with a large circle of friends in this locality. To Mr. and
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 637
Mrs. Bennett Taylor three children have been born, Harriet E. and Mildred
E. Another daughter died in infancy.
Mr. Taylor and wife own a highly productive farm of two hundred and
fifty-two acres at Taylor's Station, this county, also a section of land in North
Dakota, and Mrs. Taylor owns a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in
Randolph township. In addition to his many business interests, Mr. Taylor
is also a stockholder in three banks at Lafayette and a member of the di-
rectorate of the American National Bank.
Mr. Taylor is a member of the Lafayette city council at this writing,
from the fifth ward, and he is looking after the city's interests with that
same fidelity to duty that has characterized his individual business career.
In politics he is a Democrat. Something of his high and excellent standing
in this city is shown by the fact that he overcame a Republican majority
of one hundred and forty votes by forty-eight votes. He was nomi-
nated twice for county treasurer and made a very fine showing in a
hotly contested race against very great odds. He has long taken considerable
interest in local political affairs, and, in fact, in everything that has pertained
to the public and general good of his county. He is a member of the Trinity
Methodist Episcopal church, in the affairs of which he takes an abiding in-
terest, being at present one of the stewards of the same. He also belongs to
the Sigma Chi fraternity. Mr. Taylor is regarded as one of the substantial
and public-spirited citizens of Lafayette, where he is the recipient of the
confidence and high regard of all classes whether in business, public or social
life.
ALBA G. ARNOLD.
The subject of this sketch, who holds the important office of county
surveyor and enjoys wide repute as an accomplished civil engineer, is a
native of Tippecanoe county, Indiana, and a descendant of one of the early
pioneers who entered land in what is now Lauramie township about the time
the country was opened for settlement. This ancestor was his grandfather,
Charles Arnold, a true type of the sturdy backwoodsman of the early times,
and the greater part of the land which he purchased from the government is
still in possession of his descendants, a portion being owned by the subject.
Alba G. Arnold was born near the village of Clark's Hill, on the 22d day
of June, 1867. and spent his childhood and youth in Lauramie township,
638 PAST AND PRESENT
becoming familiar with the (kities of farm hfe while a mere lad and obtaining
his first educational discipline in the district school not far from his home.
Actuated by a laudable desire to increase his scholastic knowledge, he subse-
quenth- entered the Central Normal College at Danville, where, in addition f
tlie regular course, he took special work in civil engineering and surveying,
and made a creditable record as a close and critical student. For the pur-
pose of fitting himself for teaching, he attended for some time the State
Normal school at Terre Haute and on leaving that institution engaged in
educational work in his native county where, during the twelve years ensuing,
he taught in different townships and achieved much more than local repute as
a capable and popular instructor. Still later he taught in Clinton county
four years and at the expiration of that period discontinued educational work
to devote his entire time to civil engineering and surveying, both of which
he had followed at intervals in the meantime.
During the spring and summer months when not engaged in teaching
Mr. Arnold did considerable private surveying and civil engineering, prin-
cipally in the county of Hendricks, and on quitting the school room perma-
nentlv returned to Tippecanoe county, of which he was elected surveyor in
1906. His work during the following two years proved eminently satis-
factory and justifying the wisdom of his election, he was chosen his own
successor in the fall of 1908 and is now well on the second year of his second
term, his record meanwhile being creditable to himself and comparing favor-
ablv with that of any of his predecessors.
As an official Mr. Arnold is not only competent but exceedingly con-
scientious and careful, making duty paramount to every other consideration,
and thus far his work has been eminently satisfactory and his name above the
suspicion of a reproach. He has teen a lifelong and steadfast Republican
and takes an active interest in political affairs, being a judicious adviser in
the councils of his party and an untiring and influential worker in the ranks.
]\Ir. Arnold some years ago joined the Free and Accepted Masons and is
a highly respected member of that brotherhood, belonging to Mitler Lodge,
No. 268, at Clark's Hill, in which he has been honored from time to time
with important official positions. He is also identified with the Knights of
Pythias, holding membership with Sheffield Lodge, No. 414, at Dayton, and
its various auxiliaries and demonstrating in his relations with his fellowmen
the beautiful and sublime principles upon which the fraternity is founded. In
matters religious Mr. Arnold is liberal in all the term implies, belonging to
r.n church, but according to others the s?me right of opinii^in which he chims
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 639
for himself. He has profound respect for the church, however, as a civilizing
agency and believes its influence to be for the best interests of society and the
state, to which ends he contributes to its support and encourages the dissemi-
nation of religion among men.
Dr. Arnold is a married man and has a comfortable and attractive home,
the presiding genius of which is a lady of culture and refinement whose name
prior to taking the name she now so worthily bears was Hattie Pierce. Mrs.
•Arnold is a native of Tippecanoe county, a representative of one of the old
and highly esteemed families of this part of the state and has many personal
friends in the social circles to which she belongs.
CHARLES F. WILLIAMS.
Charles F. Williams, the senior partner of the Lafayette Sunday Leader,
who is so well and favorably known in journalistic circles in this portion of
Indiana, especially in Tippecanoe county, where he has wielded a pen of force
and intelligence for the past forty years, was born in 1845 i" Addison county,
Vermont, the son of Lambson Williams and wife. The father was a native
of ^'ermont. The subject spent his youthful days at Jersey ville, Illinois. As
he grew in }'ears, he learned the printer's trade in the office of the Democratic-
Union, published at Jerseyville. When but seventeen years old he was in-
duced to take an interest in a local newspaper called The Prairie State, at
Jerseyville. This was a very unfortunate move, for within a short time the
office was burned and young Williams lost all he had invested. For several
years he was employed at his trade in Alton, Illinois. Later he returned to
Jerseyville and published the Register for one year. He first located at La-
fayette in 1869 and for a few years was the city editor of the Daily Dispatch,
which paper discontinued in 1876. He then became connected with the
Sunday Leader, which paper he is still connected with in company with his
son, Charles F. Williams. It was in 1883 that he, in company with Ross
Gordon, purchased the Sunday Leader from F. E. D. McGinley, the paper
having been established in 1872 by John Carr. For complete history of this
journal the reader is referred to the Press chapter in this work.
Mr. Williams was married, in 1866, to Mary C, daughter of John C.
Dobelbower, who at one time was the editor of the Dispatch. Mrs. Williams
was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The children born of
this union were Mary M., Charles F. and Laura A.
640 PAST AXD PRESENT
DANIEL W. SIMMS.
It requires a master mind to rise superior to discouraging environment
and achieve honorable distinction in a profession which demands of its
votaries strong and well balanced mentality and a long and thorough course
of intellectual and professional training. The qualities essential to success
in such a calling are possessed in an eminent degree by the well-known citizen
of Lafayette whose name appears at the head of this article, a gentleman who
not only ranks among the ablest lawyers of the Tippecanoe county bar. but
has likewise earned an enviable reputation in the courts of northern Indiana,
where his services have frequently been utilized in the trial of important
cases and the adjustment of large and far-reaching legal interests.
Daniel W. Simms, of the law firm of Stuart, Hammond & Simms, is
a native of Crawford county, Illinois, where his birth occurred on the 13th
day of February, 1862. The family to which he belonged, consisting of the
father, mother, three sons and one daughter, moved, in 1870, to Fountain
count}^ Indiana, where Daniel spent his youthful years on a farm. His
parents being in humble circumstances, he was early obliged to assume much
of the labor and responsibility of the family's support, thus, by a strenuous
though valuable experience, learning the true meaning of honest toil and the
important lesson that success is only attainable by earnest and long-continued
effort. When but ten years of age. he began making his own way in the
world, as a farm laborer, and in addition to clothing himself and meeting
other necessar}^ expenses from his hard-earned wages, contributed a generous
share to his parents, in this way early becoming a helper and burden-sharer.
During the winter months he attended the district schools of the neighbor-
hood and made commendable progress in the common branches, but owing
to adverse circumstances was obliged to discontinue his studies for the sterner
of life's duties, although a natural student with an almost inordinate craving
for books and learning.
In 1875 young Simms went to northwestern Iowa, where he spent the
two ensuing years working as a farm hand in the summer time and devoting
the winter seasons to school work. At the expiration of that period he dis-
continued farm labor and went west, where he took up the life of a cowboy,
spending the three succeeding years among the large cattle ranches of Kansas,
the Indian Territory and Texas, and sharing with comrades the hardships
and vicissitudes common to the wild free experiences of the prairies and
plains. Mr. Simms went west in 1877. but after spending three years there
DAN. W. SIMMS
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 64I
decided to return home and if possible secure a better education, to the end that
he might tit himself for some useful occupation or profession. With this laud-
able object in view, he returned in 1880 to Fountain county, Indiana, but
finding his parents in very poor health and practically unable to earn a liveli-
hood he at once abandoned the idea of attending school and with true filial
devotion lost no time in looking about for the first work to which he could
lay his hands, that he might minister to the necessities of the family. It
was not long until he secured employment on the Peoria division of the "Big
Four" railroad, then in process of construction, his first duty being the driving
of spikes, very hard and exhausting work which only strong and able-bodied
men are capable of doing. After spending some months in this capacity, he
gave up the job and resumed farm labor, to which he devoted considerable
time, saving sufticient means while thus engaged to carry him through a
term of school. Again the ambitious young man was doomed to a bitter
disappointment, for no sooner had he perfected arrangements to begin his stud-
ies than he was stricken wits a severe attack of typhoid fever, which within
a comparatively brief period not only reduced his strength to the lowest possi-
ble minimum but also exhausted his meagre capital. \\'hen sufficiently re-
covered, however, he addressed himself with renewed courage and fortitude
to the task of obtaining the much-desired discipline and in due time secured
a place with a farmer who agreed to board and lodge him while attending
school in return for such labor as he could perform of mornings and even-
ings, and on the days when school was not in session. In addition to close
application to his regular studies during the following winter, the young man
spent the long nights poring over his books, in this way adding not only
to his scholastic knowledge, but becoming familiar with the writings of a
number of authors and well versed on many general subjects.
By close and critical stud3-ing, Simms, the following year, was suffi-
ciently advanced to teach in the district school, which line of work he fol-
lowed for some time, in this way procuring the necessary funds to enable
him to attend several spring and fall terms at the National American Normal
University, Lebanon, Ohio, and a similar institution at Ladoga, Indiana.
Actuated by a laudable desire to prosecute his studies still further, he subse-
quently entered Asbury (now DePauw) L^niversity, which he attended until
1885, when he discontinued his scholastic work to devnte all of his attention
to the study of law which he had taken up in the meantime as the profession
best suited to his tastes and inclinations.
W^ith an energy and ambition which would not be satisfied with any
but a high standing in his chosen calling. ^Ir. Simms applied himself dili-
(41)
642 PAST AND PRESENT
gently to his studies and researches and possessing a naturaUy legal mmd and
a decided preference for the profession, it was not long until he was admitted
to the bar and began the practice at Veedersburg, Indiana, in partnership
with Freeman E. Miller, a well-known attorney of that place, the tirm thus
constituted forging to the front in due time and securing its proportionate
share of patronage. While a resident of Veedersburg Mr. Simms was
induced to take charge of the schools of the town, which he conducted for
some time in connection with his professional duties, but realizing that success
in eithercalling could not be attained in this way and with no desire to con-
tinue longer as an educator he finally resigned his position as principal of
schools, and in 1887 removed to Covington, where he became associated
with O. S. Douglass, and within a comparatively brief period rose to a posi-
tion of prominence and influence among the leading lawyers of the county
seat.
Mr. Simms, although practically a beginner, gained marked success in
his profession and in his new iield was soon the peer of any member of the
Fountain county bar. In 1891 Henry Dochterman. an able and popular
attorney, tendered him a partnership, which was accepted and which con-
tinued until dissolved by the death of the senior member in March, 1893.
The firm, in the meantime, was engaged in many imijortant cases, which by
reason of the failing health of Mr. Dochterman fell to IMr. Simms, who, in
this way, forged rapidly to the front as an able lawyer and a careful, judi-
cious and eminently successful practitioner. In April following the death
of his partner, Mr. Simms became associated with Lucal Xebeker, under the
name of Nebeker & Simms. The firm thus formed lasted five years, during
which time they built up an extensive and lucrative business in the courts
of Fountain and other counties, and became widely and favorably known in
legal circles throughout the northern part of the state.
With a practice rapidly outgrowing the limits to which it was principally
confined and a reputation as an able and successful lawyer second to that
of none of his compeers, Mr. Simms at the expiration of the time indicated
deemed it advisable to select a larger and more advantageous field for the
exercise of his legal talent, accordingly, in the year 1898, he removed to
Lafayette, where he was already well and favorably known and where he
at once attained prominence at a bar which had long been distinguished for
a high standard of professional ability. The same year in which he took up
his residence in this city he became a member of the firm of Hanly, Wood
& Simms, long regarded throughout the state as an exceptionally strong and
successful combination and uliich continued under that name until March 15,
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 643
1899, when the subject withdi-ew to enter the firm of Stuart, Hammond &
Simms, with which he has since been identified.
Sufficient has been said in the foregoing Hnes to afford a tolerably cor-
rect idea of Mr. Simms' rise and progress in his profession and to justify
the assumption that the eminent standing which he has attained has been
honorably earned and that in the future his fame as one of Indiana's most bril-
liant and successful lawyers and enterprising citizens will be secure.
Circumstances, as well as a natural inclination, led Mr. Simms, while
still a young man, to take an interest in public and political affairs and for
a number of years he has been quite an active politician and a leader of the
Democratic party in his various places of residence. In 1896. he was a
delegate to the national convention at Chicago and two years later was the
choice of his party for congress, but his removal from the district, a short
time before the convention met, prevented his nomination. Though emi-
nently qualified to fill with distinguished success any position within the
gift of the people, he has never aspired to public place or official honors,
having always been devoted to his profession and satisfied with the simple
title of citizen. Mr. Simms is pre-eminently a self-made man and as such
deserves great credit for his remarkable rise from poverty and obscurity to a
place of distinction and affluence. Personally, he impresses all with whom he
comes into contact, as a man of strong convictions and great force of character,
nevertheless, in the midst of the multitudinous cares and demands of ?,
busy life, he is always approachable and affable, being gracious in his associ-
ations with his fellow men, and a true type of the intelligent, broad-minded,
polished gentleman. Possessing strong and discriminating intellectual quali-
ties, which have been developed by thorough training, he not only keeps
abreast of the times on all matters of moment but has likewise been a critical
reader and a student of events, whose opinions always carry weight and influ-
ence. He has gained a reputation as a well-rounded man, admirably equipped
with the solid and brilliant qualities essential to success and distinction,
but above these, his life has been ordered on a high plane which bespeaks
a deep sense of his stewardship as a representative American of his day and
generation. Mr. Simms is a gentleman of domestic tastes and finds his
greatest pleasure in his home, where, surrounded by his loved ones, he casts
care aside and opens his heart to all the noble and gentle influences which
such relations bring. His wife, formerly Ezadora J. Wright, has borne him
three children, a son, who died at the age of three and a half years, and two
daughters, the elder of which died at the age of nine.
644 i'AST aXd present
J. LYNN VAN NATTA.
The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch occupies a prominent
place in the business circles of Lafayette and has also been honored by his
fellow citizens with an important public trust, being at this time the efficient
and popular treasurer of Tippecanoe county, besides holding other interests
which have kept his name before the people. J. Lynn Van Natta is a native
of Tippecanoe county and dates his birth from the 15th day of October,
1870, having first seen the light of day in Shelby township, where his parents
formerly resided. Job Van Natta, the subject's father, whose birth occurred
on January 27, 1833, is also a native of the county and a scion of one of the
old and highly esteemed famihes. He has spent the greater part of his life
as a farmer and stockdealer, but since discontinuing these lines of effort some
years ago he has devoted his attention to various business enterprises, includ-
ing, among others, the Otterbein State Bank, of which he is president; the
First National Bank of Boswell, tOAvards which he sustains the same official
relation; the jNIerchants National Bank of Lafayette, of which he is director
and a large stockholder ; the Lafayette Loan and Trust Company and the La-
fayette Savings Bank, in both of which he has large interests. Mr. Van
Natta possesses business ability of a high order, and as a financier ranks
among the most capable and far-seeing of his contemporaries. His success
has been commensurate with the energy' displayed in his various undertakings,
and he is now one of the wealthy and influential men of the city in which he
lives, owning, in addition to the interests noted above, a large amount of
valuable real estate in both city and country, including nine hundred acres of
fine land in Tippecanoe township, six hundred acres in Shelby township and
seven hundred acres in the county of LaGrange, the greater part under
cultivation, well improved and representing a fortune of considerable magni-
tude. Mr. Van Natta served with a distinguished record in the Civil war,
joining at the beginning of the struggle the Tenth Regiment. Indiana Vol-
unteer Infantry, in which for three years he held the rank of major and
later was commissioned lieutenant colonel of the regiinent, a position he held
when discharged. He was with his command in some of the most notable
campaigns in which the Army of the Tennessee took part and participated in
a number of hard-fought battles, and it fell to him to lead in the first attack
on tlie string Confederate position in the bloody battle of Chickamauga.
Harriett Barnes, wife of Job Van Natta, is a native of Chillicothe. Ohio,
where her birth occurred on June 19, 1842. She and her husband live in a
TIPPECANOE COUNTY. IND. 645
beautiful and comfortable modern home at No. 213 Perrin avenue and are
among the best known and most popular people of the cit}', as the social circles
in which they move attest. They have reared a family of six children,
namely : Mrs. Augustus Rufifner, of Chicago ; J. Lynn, of this review ; Sam-
uel G., a stock dealer of Bovina, Texas; Mrs. George Baldwin, of Seattle,
Washington; John W., who also lives at Bovina, Texas, and Nancy, a young
unmarried lady who is still with her parents.
J. Lynn Van Natta, who has been a lifelong resident of his native county,
received his preliminary education in the public schools and later entered
Purdue University, where he pursued his studies until completing the class-
ical course, receiving his degree in 1894, two of his brothers being grad-
uates of the same institution. Soon after finishing his education Mr. Van
Natta became interested in the livestock business with his brothers, John W.
and Samuel G., and later he engaged in another line of enterprise, the Lafay-
ette Fuel and Builders' Supply Company, which he owned and operated until
elected to the office he now holds and in which he still retains an interest.
Mr. Van Natta and his two brothers alluded to above own and operate
one of the largest cattle ranches in the state of Texas and have achieved
marked success in the livestock business. Their ranch, which lies in Bailey
county and embraces an area of one hundred and forty thousand acres, is
stocked with nine thousand cows, from which the bovine population is being
rapidly increased, this extensive business having been conducted for about
five years by the Van Natta family, but since 1907 it has been carried on by
the present proprietors, the subject owning a third interest in the enterprise.
In this and his various other business relations Mr. Van Natta has met with
encouraging success and he now stands well to the front among the men who
have contributed to the material progress of the city and given character and
stability to its institutions.
The subject early became interested in public and political matters and
for a number of years has been one of the county's active young Republicans
and a judicious adviser in the councils of his party. In 1904 he was nomi-
nated for the office of county treasurer and at the ensuing election defeated
his opponent by a very decisive majority and. in due time, took charge of
the office, the duties of which he has since discharged to the satisfaction of
the public irrespective of political ties. His official career, which has been
above the suspicion of reproach, reflects credit upon himself and his party,
and fully demonstrates the wisdom of his election, the opinion prevailing
that the county has never been served by a more capable, courteous or oblig-
ing officer.
646 PAST AND PRESENT
Mr. Van Natta is a member of the Z^lasonic fraternity and the Benevolent
and Protective Order of Elks, and in matters religious his views are in har-
mony with the Methodist creed, himself and other members of his family
having long been regular attendants of the Methodist Episcopal church at
Lafayette. He is a gentleman of pleasing presence, easily approachable and
has many warm personal friends in the city and country in whose loyalty-
he reposes the most implicit confidence. Mr. Van Natta enjoyed superior
educational advantages, and the result of his intellectual discipline is perceiv-
able not only in his culture, courtesy and general intelligence, but also in
the broad views he takes of men and things and the efforts which he ever puts
forth to realize within himself his high ideals of manhood and citizenship.
Few men have exercised a stronger influence than he in the public afifairs
of Lafayette and Tippecanoe county and none are held in higher esteem by
all classes and conditions of the populace.
JOSEPH DELMAR BARTLETT.
The subject of this sketch, who is a well-known pharmacist and pro-
prietor of the drug house at No. 406 Main street, Lafayette, is a native of
New England and combines in himself many of the sterling qualities and char-
acteristics for which the people of that section of the Union have long been
distinguished. He traces his ancestry to an early period in the history of his
native state of New Hampshire, where his forbears appear to have settled
in colonial times, and it is a matter of record that the branch of the family
to which he belongs is directly descended from Josiah Bartlett, one of the
signers of the Declaration of Independence and a man of prominence and in-
fluence during the Revolutionary period and for some years following the
struggle for liberty. Others members of the family were also identified with
that period as civilians and soldiers, several having served in the army with
distinction and added luster to a name which for many years previous had
been honored for achievements in various lines of activity and thought.
John Z. Bartlett, the subject's father, was born in Sunapee, New Hamp-
shire, and spent his life near that place as a prosperous tiller of the soil. He
was a man of intelligence and high character, reared a family of children and
lived to the age of seventy-six years, dying in 1905. His wife, who bore the
maiden name of Saphronia Sargent, was also a native of New Hampshire and
is still living near Sunapee. The brothers of the subject are Fred L., who
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 647
follows the pursuit of agriculture in New Hampshire; John H., an attorney-
at-law of Portsmouth, that state, and Mott L., who is connected with the
Boston & Maine railroad. The only sister is Mrs. Sadie x\iken, whose husband
is engaged in the mercantile business at St. Johnsbury, Vermont.
Joseph Delmar Bartlett was born August 5, 1872, at Sunapee, New
Hampshire, and spent his early life in his native town, where he also received
his educational training. In the fall of 1890 he came to Lafayette. Indiana,
and enrolled in the pharmaceutical course at Purdue University and two years
later was graduated from that institution, after which he entered the employ
of a local druggist, with whom he remained six years. Purchasing his em-
ployer's stock at the expiration of that time, he established in 1898 the business
at No. 406 Main street, Lafayette, which he still carries on and which, under
his excellent management, has increased to such an extent that his store is now
one of the largest of the kind and best patronized in the city. Mr. Bartlett
carries full lines of drugs and chemicals, together with a complete stock of
other articles, novelties, sundries, etc., such as are found in a first-class drug
house and his patronage is such that he now requires the services of four
experienced assistants to supply the demands of customers. He is an accom-
plished druggist, familiar with every phase of his profession, and all prescrip-
tions and matters requiring a technical knowledge of pharmacy receive his
personal attention with promptness and despatch. His patronage is of the
best class and by straightforward business methods he has achieved an en-
viable reputation, his efforts to please each customer before he leaves the
store being among the factors that have paved the way to success.
Mr. Bartlett was united in marriage July 12, 1897, with Miss Ella
Kellog Brady, daughter of Jefferson Brady, late of Tippecanoe county, and
IMartha Pierce Brady, who was also born and reared in this part of the state.
Mrs. Bartlett was educated in Purdue University and for some time previous
to her marriage taught in the public schools, first in the country and later in
the West Lafayette high school, where she had a position for several years.
She has two brothers, Samuel and George Pierce, the former a business man
of Indianapolis, the latter a resident of Lafayette ; Susan, her only sister, is
married and living in West Lafayette. Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett have a son
and daughter, the former, Irvin G., eight years of age, and Mary Agnes, six.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Bartlett holds membership with the
Knights of Pythias and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and in
politics he votes the Republican ticket, as did his father from the organization
of the party until his death. As far back as he has any knowledge, his ances-
tors were Methodists and he, too, subscribes to the same religious faith, beino^
648 PAST AND PRESENT
with his wife an esteemed member of the Trinity church, Lafayette, and
deeply interested in its various hues of good work. Though never an office
seeker, Mr. Bartlett served three and one-half years as police commissioner,
to which position he was appointed by Governor Durbin, in which he labored
for the best interests of the municipality, proving an able and popular official,
as was attested by the peace and quietude of the city during his incumbency.
Mr. Bartlett's life has been well spent; whether in the discharge of public
duty or private obligations, his strict integrity and faithfulness command the
respect and confidence of all. His character is marked by great sincerity and
firmness; his manner ever courteous and genial. Careful and painstaking,
exact and conscientious, he has from year to year prospered and the future
awaits him with bounteous rewards.
CHARLES BENJAMIN HINEA.
Lovers of art and readers of pages devoted to this subject in the local
press will readily recognize in this name one of the best known photographers
in northern Indiana, a man who has the true artistic temperament, both
natural and acquired, which he has directed in proper channels, as we shall
see by a perusal of the following paragraphs. From earliest boyhood Charles
B. Hinea developed a taste for art and a most commendable ambition to suc-
ceed in this attractive field of endeavor which no discipline could repress and
no misfortune could entirely check. By persistence and the exercise of his
natural talents he has not only achieved a fair measure of notoriety, but also
success in a financial way, though, as usual with men of his type, perhaps not
equal to his deserts. He was born in Frederick, Maryland, August 14, 1871,
the son of Henry and Amanda (Routzahn) Hinea, also natives of Maryland.
The father was superintendent of a factory for many years and is well and
favorably known in Hagerstown, Maryland, where he now resides. His wife
passed to her rest, March 11, 1905, at the age of sixty-five years. She is re-
membered as a kind and genial wife and mother. They were the parents of
nine children.' only three of whom are now living; Charles Benjamin, of this
review, being the second in order of birth. When he was twelve years of age
his parents moved to Hagerstown, Maryland, where he grew to maturity. He
was educated in the public and high schools and after leaving school he at
once began the study of photography in Hagerstown. Two years later he
went to Baltimore, Marjland, for the purpose of securing a higher grade of
CHARLES B. HINEA
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 649
instruction, and he accordingly took a course in art under the famous Dietrich.
So rapidly did young Hinea progress in this work that he found employment
soon afterward in one of the leading art studios of Baltimore, that of Cum-
mings, the leading photographer of the Monument City. His work attract-
ing general attention, he was later employed by Gilbert & Bacon of Phila-
delphia. He also worked at Reading, Pennsylvania, and in Kansas City,
Missouri, in each of these cities turning out work that won commendable
praise for its high quality. In May, 1890, he opened a studio at Clinton, Iowa,
where he remained one year, then came to Valparaiso, Indiana, in which city
he remained for a period of six years. In September, 1898, he established
a permanent business at Lafayette, Indiana, his studio, at the corner of Sixth
and Columbia streets, being a model of its kind, having all the latest equip-
ment and attractive furnishings and being easily the leading studio in the
city. All grades of photography, sepia, water colors, enlargement, etc., arc
done here. In this line Mr. Hinea has been awarded several medals at
national photographers' conventions and he holds the silver medal of the
Indiana Photographers' Association. He was awarded the bronze medals at
the Photographers' Association of America at Chautauqua, New York, in
1896 and 1897, and the following year at Indianapolis, Indiana, he received
the first prize silver medal mentioned above. He has built up a very extensive
and lucrative patronage with the people of Lafayette and surrounding cities,
his name now being familiar throughout this locality in this Hne of work.
In 1893 Mr. Hinea was united in marriage with Stella Hiatt, a native
of Indiana, and a lady of pleasing personality and artistic tastes. This union
has resulted in the birth of .one child. Leslie, a student in the local schools
where he is making a very commendable record. In his political relations,
Mr. Hinea is a Republican, but he is not an active worker in the ranks. He
is a member of the Indiana Art League, in which he takes considerable inter-
est and has much influence. Personally, Mr. Hinea is courteous, obliging and
at once impresses the stranger as a true gentleman.
CHARLES V. FOLCKEMER.
C. V. Folckemer, formerly of the firm known as \\'illiam Folckemer &
Son, but since April 28, 1907, sole proprietor of the large establishment with
which his name is identified, holds worthy prestige among the representative
business men of Lafayette and a prominent place among the city's must enter-
650 PAST AND PRESENT
prising and public-spirited citizens. Mr. Folckemer is a native of Tippecanoe
county, Indiana, and the only son of William and Catherine E. (Toole)
Folckemer, the father born September 15, 1826, in York county, Pennsyl-
vania, the mother in Springfield, New Jersey, on June 18, 1834. When a
young man, William Folckemer went to Ohio, where he served an apprentice-
ship at cabinetmaking, after which he came to Indiana and, sometime in the
early forties, located at Lafayette, where he was employed for some years as
foreman of a large cabinetmaking establishment, subsequently purchasing the
enterprise and becoming sole proprietor of it. Mr. Folckemer, in due time,
added greatly to the capacity of his place of business and in addition to the
manufacture of various lines of cabinet work, he also bought and sold fur-
niture on quite an extensive scale, building up a large and lucrative trade and
taking a prominent position in the first rank of the city's busine'ss men. For a
number of years he was the leading furniture dealer of Lafayette, and in
addition to promoting his own interests he contributed largely to the material
advancement of the city by erecting several substantial buildings, including
the large four-story brick block, covering an area of forty by one hundred and
fifty feet, with a two-story addition, twenty by eighty feet, and several ex-
tensive warehouses, all of which are required for the successful prosecution
of a business which has grown so rapidly in magnitude and importance
that it is now one of the largest and most successful of the kind in
the state. Mr. Folckemer purchased his employer's interests in 1875 ^nd
three years afterward took his son Charles in as a partner, from which time
to the present the latter has practically controlled the enterprise. Under his
able and judicious management the business has been developed until, reach-
ing its present extensive proportions, the stock, consisting of all kinds of
furniture demanded by the trade, both wholesale and retail, also a full and
complete line of undertaking goods and everything else required in the latter
department, the shop being amply equipped with the latest improved machinery
for the manufacture of high-grade cabinet work and operated by mechanics
and artisans selected with especial reference to their efficiency and skill, the
establishment in its various departments furnishing employment to an average
of fifteen men every working day of the year. During his active life, Wil-
liam Folckemer not only built up his own large business establishment, but
was also interested in various other enterprises, which returned an ample
income and made him one of the wealthy and influential men of the city.
He dealt quite extensively in real estate, in both city and county, and at the
time of his death he had large farming interests and valuable rental property
in Lafayette, also l)ank stock and various other investments. In politics, he
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 65 1
was a stanch Republican and an influential factor in local affairs, and for a
period of sixteen years represented the third ward in the city council, besides
serving for a number of years as water works trustee and filling other official
positions of honor and trust. During his long term of service in the common
council, he was instrumental in bringing about much important municipal
legislation and he could have remained longer in that body had he not declined
a re-election at the expiration of the time noted.
Mr. Folckemer was a man of high character and sterling worth, a zeal-
ous member of the Presbyterian church and a liberal contributor to all religious
and other worthy enterprises. He joined the Independent Order of Odd Fel-
lows when a young man and for many years was the oldest member of that
fraternity in Lafayette; he was also an active and influential worker in the
Masonic, Pythian. Improved Order of Red Men and the Benevolent and
Protective Order of Elks lodges, in all of which he was honored from time to
time with important official positions. In addition to the various interests
already alluded to, he was a leading spirit in the organization of the Lafayette
Telephone Company, which he served for several years as president, and he
also held for some time the office of trustee of the Lafayette Loan and Trust
Company and trustee of the American National Bank.
He measured up to a high standard of manhood and citizenship, was
just to the poor and dependent and never turned a deaf ear to the cries of
the suffering or distressed. His was indeed a good life, filled to repletion with
good to his fellowmen, and when called to his final reward, on the 28th of
April, 1907, the people of Lafayette mourned his loss as that of a true friend
and benefactor of his kind. Mrs. Folckemer preceded her husband to the
grave by nearly seven years, departing this life April 11, 1900, retaining to
the last the esteem and confidence of the large circle of friends in which she
moved.
Charles V. Folckemer was born in Lafayette on August 10, 1857, re-
ceived his educational training in the city schools and when still young entered
his father's establishment, where he soon obtained a practical knowledge of
business life. As already stated, he became a member of the firm in 1878
and later assumed the management of the business, which under his direction
and control has since grown to very large proportions and given him much
more than l'~>cal repute as an enterprising, sagacious and far-seeing man of
affairs. Following in the footsteps of his honored father, he has done much
to advance the interests of the community and benefit his fellowmen, and
to him as much perhaps as to any other is the city indebted for its high
reputation as an important industrial and business center.
652 PAST AND PRESENT
Sufficient has been said in the preceding paragraphs to afford the reader
an intelligent idea of the magnitude of the business which i\Ir. Folckemer
owns and controls, and the only thing additional to be stated is the fact that
he has proven a worthy successor to one of the ablest and best balanced men
the city has ever known, and that he occupies today an influential place in a
community long noted for the high order of its business talent. Fraternally,
he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, Benevolent and Protective Order
of I'^lks. D'-ni(!s and Eagles orders, in addition to which he
also devotes considerable time and attention to private benevolences and
charities and manifests a lively interest in all enterprises and measures having
for their object the material progress of the city in which he resides.
A gentleman of noble purposes and high ideals. Mr. Folckemer has ever
used his influence on the right side of moral questions and issues and stands
for law and order in all the ternis imply. He fills a large place, not only
in business circles, but also in the public view, and the distinction accorded him
of being one of the notable men of the day in the city of Lafayette has been
well and honorably earned.
OLIVER MORTON NISLEY. D. D. S.
The profession of dental surgery has several worthy representatives in
Lafayette, prominent among whom is Dr. Oliver Nisley, who since about the
year 1890 has practiced his profession and now maintains an elegant suite of
parlors in the ]\Ioffitt block and built up a lucrative patronage in all parts
of the city. Dr. Nisley was born on a farm near Purdue L^niversity, October
4. 1856. a son of Abraham and Nancy (Mumma) Nisley, natives of Dauphin
county, Pennsylvania, descendants of well known families of that state. Some
time after their marriage these parents moved to Indiana, making their long
journey to the new home in a one-horse wagon and locating about the year
1850 two miles north of the present site of Purdue University, where Mr.
Nisley purchased land and improved a farm on which he spent the remainder
of his days, dying on the 22d day of November, 1889, at the age of seventy-
four. Mrs. Nisley, who departed this life on April 13th of the same year,
was seventy-one years old at the time of her demise and the mother of eleven
children, eight of whom survive. Christian M., the oldest of the family, re-
sides in Lafayette and is one of the constables of the city ; Esther, the second
in order of birth, is unmarried and lives in Portland. Oregon; Emeline, wife
of W. H. Felix, makes her home in West Lafayette; Millard F. lives in
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 653
Chicago; ^^'illiam Orth is a farmer by occupation and cultivates a part of
the family homestead ; Dr. Oliver M., of this review, is the next in order of
birth, after whom is Mrs. Clara Yeager, widow of Dr. J. W. Yeager, of
Lafayette; Fannie, who married O. P. M. Jamison, lives in Portland, Oregon,
where her husband practices law. The following are the names of those de-
ceased: Abraham died at the age of thirty-eight; Felix was twenty years
old at the time of his death, and Nancy was called from earth at the tender
age of three years.
Dr. Nisley received his elementary education in the district schools, and
when Purdue University was opened for the reception of students he was one
of the eighteen who constituted the first class enrolled in that institution.
During his three and a half years' attendance at the university he paid his
own way by teaching, and after finishing his course he turned his attention
to educational work, which he followed with marked success for a period of
eight years, five in the common schools and three as principal of the school of
Linnwood. Having decided to make dentistry his life work, he resigned the
latter position at the expiration of the time indicated and began the study of
his profession in the office of Burt & Pattison, of Lafayette, with whom he
spent three years. He then entered the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery,
where for two years he applied himself closely to his studies, completing his
course and receiving his degree in the spring of 1889, immediately after
which he went to Peoria, Illinois, where he worked in an office about one
year, reducing his knowledge to practice and becoming familiar with the
principles of his profession. At the end of that time he was called home by
the death of his father, and after settling the latter's estate he located, in the
fall of 1889, in West Lafayette, where his professional ability was soon recog-
nized as the steady growth of his business abundantly attests. From the
beginning of his career to the present time his success has been most gratifying,
and as an efficient and skillful dentist, familiar with every phase of his pro-
fession and fully abreast of the times on all matters relating thereto, he oc-
cupies a conspicuous place among the leading men of his calling in the city,
besides being well known in professional circles throughout the state. He
is a member of the Lafayette Dental Association and the Dental Associa-
tion of Indiana and a regular attendant upon the sessions of these Ixidies,
availing himself of every opportunity they afiford of keeping in touch with
the latest discoveries and improvements in the line of his calling and taking
an active part in the discussion of various questions brought before them
for consideration. He also holds membership with the Pvthian order, in
which he takes a li\-ely interest, being influential in the regular lodge work
and a leader in the Uniform Rank of the brotherhood.
654 PAST AND PRESENT
Doctor Nisley was married, November 26, 1890, to Florence McCarty,
of Tippecanoe county, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. J. McCarty, of West
Lafayette, the father a retired farmer and a man of considerable local prom-
inence in the community where he formerly lived and where he now resides.
Mrs. Nisley has one brother, William R. McCarty, who lives in the country
and farms the home place. Doctor Nisley and wife are members of the West
Lafayette Baptist church and are deeply interested m the various lines of re-
ligious and charitable work under the auspices of the organization. As a
citizen the Doctor is energetic and public-spirited, encouraging all enterprises
for the advancement of the social and moral welfare of the community.
Christian Nisley, the Doctor's older brother, was a soldier in the late
Civil war and saw much active service during the four years he was at the
front. He enlisted early in the sixties in Company D, Fortieth Regiment
Indiana Volunteer Infantry, took part in a number of campaigns and battles
and was twice wounded and twice taken prisoner on account of his injuries.
He was in prison when the war closed and was one of the survivors of the
ill-fated "Sultana," which blew up near Memphis, on the Mississippi river,
when laden with soldiers returning home, a large number being killed or
drowned.
THOMAS WILSON LUGAR.
T. W. Lugar, one of the largest real estate dealers in Lafayette, in con-
nection with which he also does an extensive business in farm loans and insur-
ance, was born in Otterbein, Shelby township, Tippecanoe county, Indiana,
April 15, 1871. On the paternal side he is descended from German ances-
tors who emigrated to America at a very early period and settled in Vir-
ginia. His mother's people were among the pioneers of Tippecanoe county,
his grandfather, Thomas Ford, a well-to-do farmer and representative citizen,
locating many years ago in Shelby township, where he resided until his death
in 1905, at the advanced age of ninety years. Two of his sons, Elijah and
Henry C. Ford, served in the Civil war, and are now living in Wabash town-
ship, both prosperous mechanics and public-spirited men.
William Lugar, the subject's father, is a native of Grant county, Indi-
ana, and his mother, who bore the maiden name of Lurinda Jane Ford, was
born in the county of Huntington. These parents were married June 7, 1870,
in Grant county and during the seven years ensuing lived in that county, where
Mr. Lugar devoted his time to educational work, being then as now a capable
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND.
655
and popular teacher for whose services there was always a wide demand. At
the present time he resides in West Lafayette, though still engaged in his
profession and in point of continuous service he is now the oldest teacher m
the county, having devoted thirty-seven consecutive years to the work. Wil-
liam Lugar and wife have a family of five children, whose names are as fol-
lows: Thomas W., of this review; Vinette E., employed in the Lafayette
postoffice; Eva E. married Charles A. D:ivis, a letter c:irrier. in the city mail
service; John M., a farmer of Benton county, and Bert, a member of the
Ninth Battery United States Artillery, with which he recently completed three
years of service. During that time he was on duty along the Pacific coast and
from the date of his departure for the West until his return a few months
ago he neither visited his home nor saw any of his relatives.
Thomas W. Lugar was educated in the public schools of his native town-
ship and began life for himself as a farmer, which honorable vocation he fol-
lowed with fair success for several years. Discontinuing the pursuit of agri-
culture, he accepted the position of deputy recorder of Benton county and after
servmg lour years in that capacity came in 1899 to Lafayette and established
the real estate, loan and insurance business which he now carries on, opening
an office at No. 219 North Fourth street, which has become a favorite resort
for those who have dealings in his lines.
Mr. Lugar came to this city representing the A. Goodell & Sons Com-
pany of Loda, Illinois, and has since been associated with that well known and
prosperous firm. While dealing quite extensively in all kinds of real estate
and having a large and lucrative patronage in insurance, he makes a specialty
of farm loans in which he does a large volume of business. By honorable
methods and adhering to the policy of a "square deal,'' which his firm early
adopted as a cardinal principle, he has greatly extended his patronage which
now takes a wide range in Tippecanoe and neighboring counties, and in the
different lines represented he has little to fear from any of his competitors.
Mr. Lugar, on June 6, 1900, was united in marriage with Ada Pearl
Sense, daughter of William H. and Susan Sense, of Wabash township. She
was one of twelve children born to her father and mother whose names are
as follows: Elmer F., Harry C, Carrie (now deceased), Harvey G., Dora A.
(wife of C. E. Wakeman, of Millersburg, Indiana), Ottis G., Ella N., John
E., Ada P. (subject's wife), Jessie B., Earl C. and Ida M. This marriage
has been blessed with four offspring, namely: James T., Ethel Marie, Lolo
Lurinda and Susan Elizabeth, all living and adding greatly to the interest
and happiness of the home circle. In his religious faith Mr. Lugar subscribes
to the Alethodist creed, his wife being a Baptist in belief and an esteemed
656
PAST AND PRESENT
member of the church in \\'est Lafayette. Politically. ^Ir. Lugar is a stanch
Republican and manifests a lively interest in public affairs, contributing to
the success of his party by all honorable means at his command, but never
seeking office or leadership for himself. His fraternal relations include mem-
bership with Otterbein Lodge, No. 605, Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
and Purdue Grove, No. 18, Ancient Order of Druids, in both of which so-
cieties he has rendered efficient service and at intervals held important and
official positions.
OLIVER WEBSTER PEIRCE.
The family bearing this name has been closely identified with the history
of Lafayette for more than seventy-three years. During that long period the
name has been associated with many of the important industries and com-
mercial enterprises which have developed a modern, prosperous city from the
frontier village of the early days. Martin L. Peirce. the first of the family
to emigrate to Indiana, came to Lafayette from Parke county, this state, in
1836. when railroads were unknown in that far west. He was prominently
identified with the business interests of Lafayette for many years prior to his
demise, and the reader is referred to another page of this volume for the
more extended as well as interesting record of that distinguished pioneer
citizen.
Oliver W. Pierce, a son of the above-mentioned by adoption, was born
in Parke county, Indiana, January 8, 1829, and was about seven vears
old when he accompanied his father to Lafayette. This was in the days
prior to the establishment of the public school system in Indiana and the
early educational discipline of young Peirce was derived from attendance
upon the subscription schools of the day. He later attended the county
seminary, which was established during his boyhood, where he secured a
good education. It was the custom in those days for boys to start life early
and Oliver was only seventeen years old when he began his business career.
His father was a member of the commission firm of Hanna, Barbee & Com-
pany, whose business consisted in advancing money to grain dealers for
moving their crops, for which a commission was charged. The firm was
also extensively engaged in advancing money to pork packers throughout
the country. Oliver W. was given the position of receiving clerk, at a salary
of one hundred and fifty dollars per year, and at the end of the first year
he had saved forty-three dollars and desired to in\est the same on his own
-^^-(^
Jl^
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 657
account. With the consent of his father, he was given the use of a small
space in the company's building, where he erected some shelving, bought
coffee in New York, and began business for himself as O. W. Peirce &
Company, although he continued in the employ of the commission firm,
hiring a boy associate at twenty-five cents per day to look after his coffee
sales. This was in 1847, ^vhen the subject was only eighteen years of age.
During the epidemic of cholera, which raged at that time, prices on coffee
soared skyward and the young merchant reaped handsome profits from the
sale of that commodity. He continued trading in staples successfully, with
the result that his interests began to expand and assume pretentious propor-
tions, and it was soon necessary to devote his entire time to the business.
In December, 1849, he went on a trading trip to New Orleans, going by stage
to Indianapolis, by rail to Madison and by steamer down the Ohio. Arriv-
ing at Louisville he was obliged to remain there several days on account
of the river being frozen and navigation closed. Nothing daunted, however,
he finally secured passage by stage to Memphis, Tennessee, and a week later
was enabled to continue by boat on to his destination. In the southern city,
then the great emporium of the South, he purchased sugar, molasses and
coffee, which were shipped up the Mississippi river to the mouth of the Wa-
bash and thence by the latter stream to Lafayette. On returning home he
engaged in the wholesale trade, disposing of his goods to the retail mer-
chants. This proved to be the foundation of what has since developed into
one of the largest and most successful wholesale enterprises ever established
in Indiana. In the early days of the wholesale trade the staple line of
groceries was limited practically to sugar, molasses and coffee, with a little
tea and tobacco on the side. Since then it has gradually expanded until at
present a modern wholesale establishment, such as that conducted by O. W.
Peirce Company, embraces every variety of goods carried by a modern
retail store in the same line of trade. The roasting of coffee has also become
a very important part of this company's business. It is a package coffee
known as "Peirce's Golden Rio" and it is sold extensively in a number of
Northern and Southern states and has proven to be a verv popular brand, car
load after carload being shipped to various parts of the country. In fact,,
in the roasting of package coffee O. W. Peirce Company enjoys the prestige
of occupying fourth place among the largest concerns of the United States
in this line of industry. From seventy-five to eighty people find steady
employment with this concern and an average of fifteen traveling salesmen are
necessary to look after the business in the large scope of territory covered
by the firm. In order to meet the growing demands of modern business
(42)
658 PAST AND PRESENT
methods the O. W. Peirce Company was organized and incorporated July
30, 1904. with a capital stock of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The
officers of the company at the present time are as follows : O. W. Peirce,
Sr., president; O. \Y. Peirce, Jr., secretary, and E. R. Fielding, secretary.
The success which has attended the efiforts of Mr. Peirce during an
active business career in Lafayette of more than sixty years has been brought
about by close attention to business, a thorough knowledge of details in both
buying and selling and the possession of those faculties of rare foresight, dis-
crimination and conservatism. While the personnel of the firm has changed
a number of times, and from 1853 to 1856 it was known as Reynolds, Hatcher
& Peirce, the latter has always been the directing head and active manager
of the concern. Since fhe dissolution of the above named firm in 1856 the
business has been carried on under the name of O. W. Peirce & Company
until the recent incorporation of O. W. Peirce Company. The only partner
of our subject at the present time is his son, O. \\'. Peirce. Jr. The latter
is a man of excellent business qualifications, and having grown up in the busi-
ness he has mastered all the details which have made for success in the past
and having assumed the active management of the concern his future as well
as the successful continuance of the business is assured.
When in a reminiscent mood Mr. Peirce talks entertainingly of old
times in Lafayette, of which he has many instructive stories. He recalls
with pleasure his first trading trip to New Orleans in 1849, when he was
an inexperienced boy. Though ordinarily it could be made in ten days, this
trip consumed six weeks, owing to ice in the river which greatly interfered
with navigation. He made from one to three trips each year until the Civil
war came on and in all made fifty-two of these trading trips to New Orleans.
On more than one occasion he walked the greater portion of the distance.
In 1852 Mr. Peirce furnished the capital and Mr. Cherry the experience to
start a soap factory. It began in a small way in a frame building and made
soap, candles and lard oil. This was the forerunner of the present M. & J.
Schnaible factory, now located on the same site, which ships soap far and
wide. When Fort Sumter was fired upon, Mr. Peirce was in Baltimore and
the Maryland merchants were so frightened that he was enabled to purchase
quantities of merchandise at from a fifth to a fourth of the ordinary price.
During President Grant's administration Mr. Peirce's store was Republican
headquarters for a large scope of territory, but at the same time it was
generally understood that the discussion of such absorbing topics should
not interfere with business, for Mr. Peirce had stated frankly and plainly
that he was selling groceries, not politics.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 659
As a business man Mr. Peirce has occupied a conspicuous place among
the successful merchants of Lafayette for many years, in fact he is one of
the oldest in point of continuous service in that city. Although he has
passed the eightieth milestone in life's journey, he is still hale and hearty and
active to a degree seldom attained by many men twenty or twenty-live years
his junior. In his political relations Mr. Peirce has always affiliated with
the Republican party since its organization, and while he has exhibited an
abiding interest in the success of its candidates he has never aspired to political
preferment. For more than forty years he has been a member of the First
Baptist church of Lafayette. During that period he has served in various
official capacities, was a member of the building committee at the time the
present church edifice was constructed and in many ways has contributed to
the advancement and welfare of the organization.
WILLIAM ROBINSON MOFFITT. M. D.
Distinguished as a physician and surgeon and holding worthy prestige
as a citizen, Dr. William R. Moffitt fills a large place in professional circles,
and for a number of years has been active in promoting the material advance-
ment of the city in which he resides and the social and moral progress of its
populace. He is a native and lifelong resident of Tippecanoe county and the
second of a family of seven children, whose parents, Benjamin Rush and
Clarissa Jane (Robinson) Moffitt, were also born in Indiana, the former in
Connersville, the latter on the old farm six miles west of Lafayette, which
was purchased from the government in pioneer times by William Robinson,
the Doctor's grandfather, and which in memory of him is still known as the
Robinson place. William Robinson and wife Matilda were among the first
permanent settlers of the locality indicated and the family has been actively
identified with that and other parts of the county from pioneer days to the
present time. Benjamin Rush Moffitt, who also came to Tippecanoe county
in an early day, was a prosperous farmer, a public-spirited citizen and a
veteran of the Civil war, enlisting at the beginning of the struggle in the
medical department of the Tenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, witn
which he served about one and a half years, when he was discharged on
account of disability. He married Miss Robinson in Tippecanoe county,
reared a family of seven children, and departed this life, at the age of sixty-
five years, on his farm in Jasper county, Indiana. Their children are all
66o PAST AND PRESENT
living and highly esteemed in their respective places of residence, being well
situated as regards material means and popular among those with whom they
associate. Othniel. the oldest of the family, lives at Valparaiso, this state,
and deals quite extensively in produce; Olive M., the second in order of birth,
married William Jordan, an ex-soldier who died in 1906, since which time she
has made her home in Dephi. Dr. William R., of this review, is the third
in succession, after whom comes Mrs. Isabel Barcley, a widow who resides
in the city of Valparaiso ; Reuben R. and Richard are twins, the former en-
gaged in agricultural pursuits in northern Indiana, the latter living in La-
fayette; Mrs. Jennie Blake, the youngest of the family, lives in the northern
part of the state, where her husband is engaged in farming.
The subject's paternal grandfather. Dr. Joseph Moffitt, was a graduate
of Yale College and a physician of distinguished ability in his day. He served
as surgeon in the American army during the war of 1812, and was on Perry's
fleet in the battle of Lake Erie. Later he settled at Connersville, Indiana,
where he rose to a conspicuous position in his profession and became widely
and favorably known as an enterprising man of affairs. He died at that
place in the prime of his life and usefulness and left to his posterity a name
to which the passing years have added luster and renown. Dr. Joseph
Moffitt was a brother-in-law of Dr. O. L. Clark, one of the pioneer physicians
of Lafayette and a man of wide influence in the affairs of Tippecanoe county
in early times.
Dr. William R. Moffitt, a brief review of whose career appears in the
following lines, was born December 8, 1849, on the family homestead about
seven miles west of Lafayette, in Wabash township, and spent his early years
amid the attractive scenes and wholesome influences of rural life. He was
reared to habits of industry and, like the majority of country lads, learned by
practical experience the meaning of honest toil, working in the fields during
the spring and summer seasons and in the fall and winter months attending
the district schools in the vicinity of his home. In this way he spent his
time until twenty-one years of age, when he entered the Methodist College
at Ft. Wayne, of which his uncle, the Rev. R. D. Robinson, was then presi-
dent, and devoted the five years ensuing to close and critical study, making
rapid progress the meanwhile and taking high rank as a student. During
his last year in the above institution he read medicine in connection with his
other studies, his instructor being Dr. W. H. Myers, one of the leading
phvsicians of the city, under whose direction he was in due time enabled to
enter Ft. Wayne Medical College, where he took his first course of lectures.
Later, he prosecuted his studies at the Medical College of Indiana at Indian-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 66l
apolis, where he was graduated in the year 1877, immediately after which
he returned to Tippecanoe county, where he opened an office in West La-
fayette, and has since practiced with eminent success, being at this time one
of the best known physicians and surgeons of the city and county.
Doctor Moffitt's large and steadily growing practice has been as suc-
cessful financially as professionally, and from time to time he has contributed
to the material part of Lafayette, in the way of buildings, including the large
two-story brick structure in which he has his office, the building being erected
especially for office purposes and being especially adapted and conceded to
be unequaled in this respect by any other in the city. He has also ac-
cumulated other valuable real estate both in the city and country, his resi-
dence properties in Lafayette alone being conservatively estimated at
$40,000, which, with various other holdings, represent a fortune of consider-
adle magnitude and make him one of the solid and well-to-do men of the
community.
Doctor Moffitt engaged in his life work well fitted for its many onerous
duties and responsibilities and has availed himself of every opportunity to keep
in touch with the trend of professional thought and abreast of the times in the
latest discoveries in medical science. He has never ceased being a student, and
when not engaged in active professional duties spends his time in his library
in communion with the greatest thinkers of the ages.
He is a member of the Indiana State Medical Association, the District
Medical Association, and the Medical Society of Tippecanoe County, in the
deliberations of which bodies he keeps himself well informed, and often con-
tributes to the papers, which elicit praise for his professional scholarship
and thought.
Actuated by a desire to fit himself for the greatest possible efficiency, the
Doctor some years ago entered the Polyclinic Hospital School of Medicine
in Chicago, from which he received a diploma in 1897, and in 1900 he was
graduated from the Post-Graduate School of Medicine of New York city, thus
leaving nothing undone in the way of making himself a true healer of suffer-
ing humanity. He has been one of the medical staff of physicians at St.
Elizabeth's Hospital for over twenty-five years and served one term as county
coroner, though never an office seeker and having little taste for public life.
On September 14, 1882, Doctor Moffitt was united in the bonds of wed-
lock with Alice S. Robinson, who, though of the same name as his mother's
before her marriage, is in no wise related to the latter. Mrs. Moffitt's father,
Horney Robinson, was a pioneer of Allen county. Indiana, locating near Ft.
Wayne about the year 1829. and taking an active interest in the development
662 PAST AND PRESENT
and growth of the part of the country in which he settled. Mrs. Moffitt was
reared and educated in Allen county and Ft. Wayne, and is a woman of ex-
cellent character and always manifests an abiding interest in the welfare of
those with whom she mingles and moves in the best society circles of West La-
fayette. Doctor and Mrs. Moffitt have one child, Bertha J., whose birth oc-
curred on November 8, 1883, and who received a liberal education, graduating
in due time from the West Side high school and from Purdue University
with the class of 1906. In his political affiliations the Doctor has been a
lifelong Republican, and since attaining his majority an influential and leading
member of the party. For a number of years he has been an active worker
for the success of his party and candidates, attending the various nominating
conventions, local, district and state, in all of which his opinions command re-
spect and his judgment weight.
GEORGE LAWSON BRUCE.
George L. Bruce, dealer in musical instruments and one of the most
accomplished musicians of Lafayette, is a native of Indiana, born in Jasper
county on the 21st day of June, 1852. Lawson Bruce, his father, was a
New Englander and a descendant of an old Vermont family, and his mother,
whose maiden name was Sarah Pyke, came from Pennsylvania. The Pyke
family moved to Indiana in an early day and were among the pioneers of
Tippecanoe county, in various parts of which descendants still reside. The
Bruces were also early comers to this part of the state and the above parents
grew to maturity and were married in Lafayette and lived here a number of
years, subsequently removing to Rensselaer, Jasper county, where Mr. Bruce
spent the remainder of his days. His widow survived him some years and
departed this life in the month of February, 1904. The family of this couple
consisted of three children, of whom the subject is the only son and the third
in order of birth.
George Lawson Bruce was brought to Lafayette when a child, from which
time to the present his life has been closely identified with the city. The public
schools which he attended during his childhood and youth afiforded him the
means of obtaining a practical education, and while still young he accepted a
clerkship in a music store, where he remained until acquiring a knowledge of
the business and becoming quite skilled in the use of several kinds of instru-
ments. In 1875 he severed his connection with his employer to become man-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 663
ager of another firm of the same kind and after serving six years in that
capacity he purchased the stock and established the business which he has since
conducted and which under his capable management has grown into the largest
and best known music house in the city.
Mr. Bruce has been at his present location since 1875 and sole proprietor
of the establishment since 1890. As indicated above, his career presents a
series of continued successes such as few achieve and the high position to which
he has attained in the business world is due entirely to his own efforts, as he
began life for himself in the modest capacity of a clerk and on becoming pro-
prietor had much with which to contend ere finding his feet on sohd financial
ground. Early in his experience Mr. Bruce determined to master the under-
lying principles of business and, having decided upon the line most suited to
his tastes and inclinations, he spared no reasonable effort in acquiring a knowl-
edge of music and the ability to reduce the same to practice. While still a
youth he manifested a decided aptitude for music and after entering the store
it was not long until he became an efficient performer on the various kinds
of instruments in stock. Later he prosecuted his musical studies under in-
structors of recognized ability and, applying himself closely, he became in due
time one of the most skillful musicians in Lafayette as well as one of the most
successful dealers in the same. He carries full lines of all kinds of instru-
ments and musical merchandise, which he buys direct, owning the large stock
which he always has on hand. His business has grown to such large pro-
portions that he now employs in addition to several clerks in the house three
salesmen who represent his goods on the road and who during the past few
years have built up and greatly extended his trade. His establishment has a
large and lucrative local patronage also, while the demand for his goods by
the general trade in many other cities and towns throughout Indiana and
neighboring states taxes the capacity of his house to supply, besides giving a
wide and enviable reputation in musical as well as business circles.
While a skillful performer on several kinds of instruments, Mr. Bruce
is especially efficient as a pianist and organist. For thirty-five consecutive
years he presided at the organ in Trinity Methodist Episcopal church and
could have retained the position indefinitely had he so desired, but recently,
much against the wishes of the congregation and greatly to their disappoint-
ment, he declined to remain longer, deeming almost a lifetime of service in
furnishing music for public worship sufficient to entitle him to the rest which
he so ably and conscientiously earned.
Mr. Bruce and family are Methodists and regular attendants of Trinity
church, with which they are identified and which the subject served so long
664 PAST AXD PRESENT
and faithfully as organist. He is a member of the official board of said
church, and at different times has held various other official positions in the
organization, besides being a liberal contributor to its support and a donor to
all worthy enterprises and humanitarian measures. Politically he votes the
Republican ticket, but has never held an elective office, having little taste for
public life and less for the chicanery and trickery which are sometimes neces-
sary in order to attain positions at the hands of one's fellow citizens. Mr.
Bruce is an enthusiastic friend of fraternal work and belongs to several orders
based on the principle of secrecy. He is a Mason of high degree, holding
membership with Lafayette Lodge, No. 123, Chapter No. 3, Royal Arch
Masons. Commandery No. 3, Knights Templar, and Hope Chapter No. 5,
Order of Eastern Star. He is also identified with Lodge No. 55, Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, and Lodge Xo. 143. Benevolent and Protective Order
of Elks, in both of which as well as in the Masonic brotherhood he has been
chosen to positions of honor and trust.
BRAINARD HOOKER.
Brainard Hooker was born at Nugent Hollow, in Vanderburg county,
about eight miles from Evansville, Indiana, September 18, 1868. Henry H.
Hooker, his father, is a physician who has won a high reputation as an ob-
stetrician. He took the degree of Doctor of Medicine from Rush Medical
College in the early sixties. He earlier taught in the primitive district
schools. He is the son of one Thomas Hooker, who came to Evansville at
an early day from South Carolina and who is a descendant of Rev. Thomas
Hooker, of Hartford. Connecticut. With but one known exception, all the
Hookers of America and England are related. Gen. Joseph Hooker, of the
Civil war. Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker, the English botanist, and Richard
Hooker, the theologian, are members of the family. One family at least of
German origin now uses the name of Hooker in America, the German name
having been Hoockards. Perhaps the economy in using the shorter name is
the reason for the change of spelling. A study of the origin of names would
lead one to conclude that as Fisher named the man for his occupation, so the
Hookers in early times in England were the lovers of the rod and line.
The subject's mother was Mary H. (Headen) Hooker, daughter of
Thomas Headen and Mary Nugent, who brought her and two other daughters
and two sons from Ireland. The familv settled on the Ohio river at the vil-
BRAINARD HOOKER
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 665
lage of Evansville, which was then composed of a few log huts. The father
was a grocer for a time, then he bought Nugent Hollow, still owned by the
Rev. H. S. Headen, of New Albany, the youngest child of the family. Mary
was a babe a few weeks old when the trip was made across the Atlantic
in a small sail boat. Her schooling was received in the district school, and
part of a year was spent in Madison University, where Anna, her older
sister, had been graduated. The Civil war called her brothers, Thomas and
Robert, to the field of battle, and as her father had died some years before,
she was, with the other girls of the family, called upon to work on the farm
in the summer and teach in the winter to support the family. She was mar-
ried to Henry Hamilton Hooker in 1867, and she died of a complication of
diseases in August, 1899.
There were eight children in the family of Henry and Mary Hooker,
and the parents fancied the use of but one name for each of their children.
Brainard, the eldest, was named for one of the Doctor's college professors
Sherry, the second child, for the Sherrys, relatives of the Headens. Maggie
for her aunt Maggie Headen Hooker, wife of Prof. R. P. Hooker, of Evans-
ville. Mabel, a name euphonious. Kitty, for her aunt Kate Headen Stafford
DeKress, for a widely known German physician and scientist, Oscar DeKress
Doctor of Medicine, of Evansville. Ross, for the former editor of the To
ledo Blade. The baby of the family was named for her Aunt Anna. It
will be observed that the boys were given family names for Christian names.
Of these children, five survive in 1909.
The subject of this sketch began his schooling in a little frame school
house in the village of Elberfeld, a Dutch village in Warrick county, seven-
teen miles from Evansville on the old Straight Line road. He attended school
under the instruction of Lewis Kemper, Mary Wagoner and D. S. Johnson.
It was while in school here that Mr. Hooker conceived the idea that he wished
to be a teacher. He attended every teacher's institute that was held in the
village school. They furnished him renewed inspiration. When he was
fourteen years old, the father bought and moved to a farm near Oakdam, in
Vanderburg county. Here, owing to an accident, Brainard lost one year's
schooling. The father had a limb broken and the oldest boys had to care
for the stock. He attended the Oakdam school for one year under the in-
struction of D. S. Johnson. The following year he graduated in the eighth
grade at McCutchanville, and entered the high school at the same place in
the fall, completing the course offered in two years. Here he was under the
tuition of a highly cultured and educated aunt.
666 PAST AND PRESENT
In February, 1886, Mr. Hooker made his trial license under Ernest D.
McAvoy, the county superintendent, and in April he secured a twehe-months
license.
J. C. Calvert, the trustee of Armstrong township, employed Mr. Hooker
to teach No. 7 school, in the southwest corner of his township. Here the
chief task was to teach German-speaking children to speak English. The
task was complicated, for Mr. Hooker had learned Plattdeutsch at Elberfeld,
and these children spoke Hochdeutsch. He must learn the High German
to be better able to teach English. He boarded with one Nicholas Wolf,
who took a delight in helping the young pedagogue to the use of German.
The year's work was satisfactory to the officials and the young teacher was
promised a larger, better school and one nearer his home. With these reflec-
tions, he began his professional training in De Pauw University. With
one term's preparation under the guidance of W. H. Mace and Arnold
Tompkins, the year following was more successful. The years 1887 ^^^
1888 were spent at Armstrong Station school. The fourth year's work was
done at Theil school, still nearer home. The young teacher had now done
four terms' work in the normal department at DePauw University and had
had four years' experience in the district schools of his native county. In
the fall of 1890 he followed Arnold Tompkins to the Indiana State Normal
School (the normal department at DePauw having been closed by order of
the trustees), and from this school he was graduated in June, 1893.
On the 17th day of August, 1893, Mr. Hooker was married to Eva A.
McCutchan at her father's home near Oakdam. Miss McCutchan was the
daughter of John T. and Nancy M. (Covey) McCutchan. Mr. McCutchan is
the son of a large landholder, Thomas McCutchan, who came to America
from Ireland in the early days of Indiana's history. Mrs. McCutchan is of
French descent, through the Le Count family on her mother's side of the
house. Eva Hooker was graduated from the common schools in her native
county, Vanderburg, and was for a time a student at Princeton College. She
taught school three years. Mrs. Hooker is a vocalist of no mean attainments.
Soon after the wedding the bride and groom went to Mt. Vernon, Indi-
ana, to live, where Mr. Hooker had been employed in the high school as one
of the instructors. Here he taught for two years, associated with E. G.
Bauman, the present superintendent of the Mt. Vernon schools, and Edwin
S. Monroe, the superintendent of the Muskogee schools, Oklahoma. W'hile
living here their daughter Maurine came into the family.
During the next three years the family lived at Rochester, Indiana,
where Mr. Hooker was principal of the high school and head of the depart-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 66/
ment of English. Here Helen, the second girl, was born and Harold Mace,
the first boy. The next move was to Indiana University, where Mr. Hooker
felt the need of additional college work. After completing two terms' work,
he and his wife and daughter Helen were taken down with typhoid fever,
which exhausted the strength and exchequer of the family so completely that
the pursuit of the long-hoped-for degree was abandoned.
In the spring of 1900 Mr. Hooker was called to the State Normal at
Terre Haute to teach English grammar for the term, under the direction of
J. B. Wisely, author of a well-known book on that subject. While at the
normal he was appointed principal of the high school at Dayton, this county,
James McDowell being the trustee at the time of the appointment. In 1901,
Lucien B. O'Dell, who recently died at Brazil, and who was then superinten-
dent of the Thorntown schools, called Mr. Hooker to assist him as principal
of the high school. At the close of the year, Mr. Hooker returned to Dayton
at an increased salary and the promise of an assistant in the high school. With
the work increased to four years, an effort was made to commission the
school, but a lack of co-operation on the part of the officials caused the proj-
ect to be delayed until 1909. While living in Dayton, John Gordon, Mary
and Gilbert Merrill came into the family.
In 1906, Superintendent E. W. Lawrence called Mr. Hooker to the
principalship of the West Lafayette high school. In this school he was
assisted by L. A. Scipio, now of Nebraska University, lone Beem, Viletta
Baker and Daphne Kieffer. This was the first year in the handsome new
high school building, and to give some token of appreciation the school gave
an art exhibit, the proceeds of which, amounting to nearly a hundred dollars,
was put into fine reproductions of famous paintings which now adorn the
walls of the assembly room.
After a three-days campaign, at 10 o'clock, June 4, 1907, Mr. Hooker
was elected to the office of county superintendent for a term of four years.
Mr. Hooker is one of the men in the field of public school work who think
that the business of teaching should be dignified into a profession. He dis-
likes the spirit that has dominated the business especially among men which
makes teaching a step to something "better," and he has labored to eradicate
the defect.
At the age of sixteen years, Mr. Hooker became a member of the Meth-
odist Episcopal church at Blue Grass and he and his wife have been active
members of the churches where they have lived, usually singing in the choir.
Mrs. Hooker singing soprano and Mr. Hooker tenor. Soon after he was
twenty-one years old he became a member of Corypheus Lodge No. 180,
668 PAST AXD PRESENT
Knights of Pythias, at Cynthiana, Posey cmmty, and is an officer of Sheffield
Lodge No. 414, at Dayton. At the age of forty he became a Freemason,
belonging to Dayton Lodge, Xo. 103, Free and Accepted Masons.
HARRY ^LADISON SNIDEMAN.
The subject of this sketch enjoys distinctive prestige in a profession
which requires of those who adopt it a strong mentality and painstaking
preparation together with a natural aptitude for its duties and responsi-
bilities in order to achieve success. Many enter it allured by promise of rapid
advancement and early distinction only to fall disheartened by the wayside:
others under favorable auspices pursue it for a brief season to find themselves
crowded aside by the more worthy and ambitious, thus affording a striking
instance of the law of the survival of the fittest ; while the true searcher after
legal lore and the ability to apply his knowledge to the adjustment of human
difficulties and mete out justice to offenders is the one who perseveres despite
discouragement until reaching the goal, which is accessible only to the com-
petent and deserving, to which class the subject of this review belongs, as his
continuous advancement and present high standing abundantly attest.
Harry M. Snideman is a native of Tippecanoe county, Indiana, and dates
his birth from September 20, 1871, having first seen the light of day on the
family homestead in Wabash township, where his parents settled some years
before. Samuel Snideman, the subject's father, was born in Montgomery
county, Ohio, and has been an honored resident of Tippecanoe county for
many years. He is a farmer and gardener and, despite his seventy-three years,
is still actively engaged in those vocations on his beautiful farm and attractive
rural home one mile west of Purdue University. Sarah Smith, who on May
10, 1859, became the wife of Samuel Snideman, is a native of Fayette county,
Indiana, and it was only recently that this venerable and highly respected
couple celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their married life. When a young
man Mr. Snideman learned carpentry, which he followed until about thirty
years old, when he discontinued the trade to become a tiller of the soil. His
father, David Snrdeman. was born in Germany, but at the age of twelve
years came to the United States and grew to maturity in Ohio. Later he
moved to Miami county, Indiana, where he engaged in the pursuit of agri-
culture, and wh.ere his d.eath finally occurred, after he had reached the ripe old
age of ninety-one years. On the maternal side the subject traces one branch
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 669
of his family to France, but his ancestors came to this country so long ago
that all or nearly all of the characteristics of that nationality have disappeared
during the intervening years. Samuel and Sarah Snideman are the parents
of three children, namely : Oscar M., electrical engineer employed by the In-
diana Lighting Company, of Lafayette, married Harretta Rosa, and to tliis
union two daughters were born, May and Avanella; William O., a carpenter
and farmer living two and one-half miles south of Lafayette, married Lutitia
V. Emerson, to which union four children were born. Bertha Hope, now
deceased, Robert E., ]\Iary Belle and Hobart; the subject of this sketch is
the third in order of birth and the youngest of the family.
Harry M. Snideman spent his early years amid the quiet rural scenes
of the home farm and was reared to habits of industry and thrift in the fields,
attending the district schools of Wabash township when his services were
not otherwise required. He continued his studies until finishing the common
school course, receiving a certificate of graduation from the Dayton schools
in 1891, after which he entered Union Business College in Lafayette, from
which he graduated in the year 1892. Later, in 1895, he became a student
of the Northern Lidiana Normal School at Valparaiso, Indiana, and after a
year's work in that institution began teaching, which calling he followed for a
period of five years in the schools of Wabash township, during which time his
spare time was spent in reading law. Two of his vacations were spent in the
law office of George D. Parks, the present county attorney, under whose in-
struction he made such progress as to enable him to be admitted to the bar
in September, 1900.
Mr. Snideman began the practice of his profession in Lafayette. In
August, 1902, he formed a partnership with Charles M. Bright, which part-
nership continued until December, 1904, when ]\Ir. Bright was obliged to
change climate for the benefit of his health. The partnership was then dis-
sohi-ed, I\Ir. Snideman purchasing his partner's interest and has since continued
the practice alone. He has built up a large and lucrative practice and gained
an honorable reputation as an able and energetic lawyer. He has also been
active in political affairs, both local and general, and his influence in the coun-
cils of the Republican party has given him prestige and leadership such as
few of his contemporaries have attained. He is an enthusiastic politician, a
forcible and logical speaker and his services on the hustings are always in great
demand during campaign years, as he is a master of assemblages and never
fails to interest and influence his auditors. He was twice a candidate before
the primaries for the office of prosecuting attorney, but by a combination of
circumstances, so common to politics, failed both times to receive the nom-
6/0
PAST AND PRESENT
ination, his defeats, however, causing no cessation of his interest in behalf of
the more fortunate candidates.
On June 26, 1907, Mr. Snideman was united in marriage to Julia Weber,
of Lafayette, daughter of Jacob and Sophia Weber. Mrs. Snideman is an
intelligent and cultured lady of excellent character and high social standing,
who has many friends in the city and enjoys great popularity among those
with whom she associates.
Fraternally Mr. Snideman is a member of Friendship Lodge, No. 22, In-
dependent Order of Odd Fellows, which he joined on January 14, 1898, and
since his membership has been an active and enthusiastic member, filling all the
official chairs in the subordinate lodge and in 1900 was a representative of his
lodge to the grand lodge of Indiana, of which body he is also a member. He
is also a trustee of his lodge, having been at the time of his election the young-
est man to be honored with the position. In matters religious. Mr. Snide-
man is liberal in all the term implies. He does not hold membership with
any church, but is a liberal contributor to the support of the gospel and is a
friend of all charitable and benevolent enterprises and a liberal donor to hu-
manitarian movements of whatever name or order. Mrs. Snideman is a mem-
ber of Triumph Rebekah Lodge, No. 291, of which lodge she is an enthusi-
astic worker : her nature is deeply religious and since her childhood she has
been identified with the Salem Reformed church, in which she is an active
worker.
HARRY EDWARD TITUS, D. V. S.
To be anything but mediocre in any profession requires not only a happy
combination of natural faculties, but also a strong personality, a blending of
courtesy and affability and certain business qualities that no discouragements
can thwart. The well-known veterinary surgeon whose name forms the cap-
tion of this article, and whose name has long since become a household word
throughout Tippecanoe county, seems to possess these traits, for he has
climbed, step by step, from a modest beginning to a position of prominence in
his community through no outside assistance.
Harry Edward Titus was born in 1876 at Muscatine, Iowa, the son of
Harrison S. Titus, who is also a veterinarian. The latter married Catherine
Walsh, and they are both natives of Wisconsin, and people who command the
unequivocal respect of all who know them. After finishing the common-
school course, young Harry attended high school, later took a course in the
TIPPECANOE COUNTY. IN D. 67 I
Iowa State College, veterinary department, graduating from the same in 1898.
having made a most commendable record and well equipping himself for his
profession. He has been greatly aided by his father, who is a very skilled
veterinary surgeon, consequently it is not strange that the subject should
achieve success in his chosen calling while yet a young man. Another son
of Dr. Harrison S. Titus is also a veterinary surgeon in Baxter, Iowa.
A criterion of Dr. Harry E. Titus's high standing in this profession is
furnished by the fact that in 1899, the year following his graduacion. he held
the responsible position in the Iowa State College as house surgeon and dem-
onstrator of anatomy, also taught the principles and practice of operative
surgery. He had received practical experience all through his college course,
consequently he was enabled to render entire satisfaction in this work, receiv-
ing the hearty commendation of both faculty and students.
Early in 1900 Doctor Titus was appointed government inspector in the
bureau of animal industry at Cincinnati, Ohio, but he did not accept the place,
believing that a better field awaited him in the city of Lafayette, whither he
came May 30, 1900, and soon thereafter began the practice of his profession.
He purchased a half interest in the veterinary infirmary owned by Doctor
Craig, on Main street, west of the river. Having been successful in this
venture, he bought out Doctor Craig's interest about the ist of July, 190 1,
and has since conducted the infirmary in his own name. It is the only one
of its kind in Tippecanoe county and is conceded to be one of the finest in
Indiana. Doctor Titus is constantly improving his hospital and his practice
is steadily increasing.
On May 22, 1907, Doctor Titus was united in marriage with Margaret
Littler, a native of Indiana, but who was residing in Chicago, a trained nurse
in a hospital, when they were married. She is a well educated woman and is
of great assistance to the Doctor in his work.
Doctor Titus was city veterinarian in Lafayette for two years, very
creditably filling this office. He is a member of the American Veterinary
Association, the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association, and an honorary
member of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association. On July 11, 1905, he
was appointed delegate to represent the L'uited States at the eighth Interna-
tional Veterinary Congress held at Budapest, Austria, September 3, 1905.
having been appointed to this important duty by the state department at Wash-
ington. In his fraternal relations the Doctor belongs to the Benevolent and
Protective Order of Elks, also the Knights of Pythias. He is a man of impos-
ing personal appearance, quick in his decisions, alert, friendly and obligino-,
consequently he is favorably known alx>ut town.
672 PAST AND PRESENT
ALVA O. RESER.
Hon. Alva O. Reser, ex-member of the Indiana state legislature, who
is the present efficient county recorder and official court reporter and stenog-
rapher for the courts of Tippecanoe county, was born near Stockwell, Tippe-
canoe county, Indiana, November 17, 1859, a son of Harvey and Sarah
(Waymire) Reser. He was educated in the public schools of his native
county and at Purdue University, Lafayette. After fully qualifying himself
for the duties of an educator and business man, he followed teaching for a
time; he taught in the district schools of Wea township, this county, at
Spring Grove, after which he was made principal of the Lafayette Business
College, where he taught one year and then became the principal of the
Oakland school at Lafayette, which position he held with much credit to
himself and the school board who employed him. He taught in this city school
for three years. He was also made instructor in stenography in the Lafay-
ette Business College and held this position for fifteen years.
Politically, Mr. Reser is an uncompromising Republican and is an ef-
fective, forcible campaigner in this section of Indiana. He represented his
county in the Indiana legislature in the sessions of 1899 and 1901. in the
house of representatives, and was chairman of the committee on education
during his last term. He was the official stenographer for the United States
government at the Anglo-American Joint High Commission, held at Quebec,
Canada, in 1898; special stenographer for Hon. Charles F. Fairbanks, then
candidate for Vice-President, in the campaign of 1904, and for the news-
paper press of the country. Being an expert stenographer, he was selected
as court reporter, and it is the opinion of the court officers of his district,
including the judges, that he is among the most rapid and accurate reporters
within the state of Indiana. He was elected as clerk of the Lafayette school
board in 1883, serving until 1909, during which long period he has kept the
books of that body in a model manner and has always been deeply interested
in the educational interests and favored all needed improvements in the
management of the school system of his city. He was elected county
recorder of Tippecanoe county in November, 1906, taking his office January
I, 1907, to serve until January i, 191 1. In this special role, the methods
and order with which he has managed other public affairs is also manifest —
his offices and books are all neatly arranged and properly cared for by him-
self and a highly competent corps of assistants, in whom the public have the
utmost confidence.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 673
Mr. Reser has been very active in campaign wrork in his party
and delivered speeches and fairly presented the issues before the voters of his
county from time to time; also delivered popular lectures now and then.
He is a true commoner and, by reason of his nativity and public life, has
become acquainted with every nook and corner within Tippecanoe county,
as well as being personally acquainted with nearly all of the people within
its borders. He was naturally selected as the secretary of the Tippecanoe
^Monument Association, which organization was active in forwarding the
project that finally resulted in the erecting of the handsome monument to
the memory of the heroes who lost their lives in the famous battle of Tippe-
canoe. He also compiled the report of the Alonument Commission, which
was published and handsomely bound in book form under authority of the
state. This book is a collection of the various reports and orations delivered
at the unveiling of the monument in 1908. No better man could have been
chosen to do this work, because of his interest in the project and his historical
information, having made this subject a special study for many years. In
civic society affairs, Mr. Reser is identified with the Knights of Pythias;
also belongs to the Greek letter college fraternity, Sigma Chi.
Of Mr. Reser's domestic relations, let it be said that he was happily
united in marriage to Elizabeth A. Smith, August 13, 1885. By this union
two sons were born (twins), Roy M. and Ralph D. Reser, born October 27,
1888. In personal appearance, Mr. Reser is a man of strong athletic build,
loving out-door sports as one of nature's noblemen. His hair is somewhat
gray, slightly bald, a pleasing twinkle to his eyes, smooth face and possesses
an affable disposition. He loves his fellow-men and remembers names, places
and faces to a remarkable degree. He is methodical and accurate and a good
reader of human nature, eminent in many lines of life and education. In his
penmanship he is a beautiful writer, having taught both ornamental and
business penmanship in the Lafayette Business College.
DR. JOHN COLBERT WEBSTER.
.Among the older physicians of Lafayette, Indiana, none is better kmuvn
nor has a wider acquaintance throughout western Indiana and Tippecanoe
county than Dr. John C. Webster. He was born in the village of Romney,
Tippecanoe county, Indiana, on September 29, 1841, and is a son of Elijah
and Xancv ( Stewart) Webster, \^'illiam Webster, the grandfather, migrated
'(43)
674 PAST AND PRESENT
from Canada to near Rumney in 1825 and entered government land. He
married a native Canadian and was the father of the following children :
Elijah, William, Mary, Sarah, Phcebe and Rachel. The family, with the
exception of Mary, went with their parents to Tippecanoe county where they
lived many years, the father passing away on the old homestead. He was
noted as a man prominent in state affairs and for his unbending religious
views, being a Quaker and strict in all his ways. Elijah married Xancy
Stewart, and to them fi\e children were born: ]\Iary A., wife of W^illiam
Ross : John C. ; Margaret, who married George Oglesby : Anna, who married
Edward W. Throckmorton : Elizabeth, who died in childhood.
John C. Webster was reared upon his father's farm and attended the
district school and also Sugar Grove Institute, which was an institution
similar to our present high school. At the breaking out of the Civil war he
enlisted, on October 15. 1861. in Company G. Fortieth Regiment. Indiana
Volunteer Infantry, which was a veteran organization, and was mustered
into the services of the United States for three years at Lafayette. Indiana,
on December 10, 1861, as a sergeant, and in the course of time was finally
commissioned a second lieutenant, his commission bearing the date of May
I, 1863. He was mustered out of service as a lieutenant in 1864. Mr.
Webster took part in the bloody battle of Shiloh. and after being away on a
sick leave he rejoined his regiment at Tullahoma. Tennessee, and accompanied
it to Louisville. Kentucky, where the command under General Buell was
pursuing General Bragg's forces. He took part in the battle of Perryville
on October 8th, and after his return to Nashville he participated in the ad-
vance on Murfreesboro, Stone River, Lavergne and other battles. After
Murfreesboro he remained with his regiment until January. 1863. when, on
the reorganization of the army, the Fortieth was assigned to the First Divi-
sion, Twenty-first Army Corps. The regiment took part in many
notable campaigns, including service in the Tullahoma advances, also at
Liberty Gap and on post duty at Chattanooga. Tennessee. Mr. Webster also
saw service at Orchard Knob and during the siege of Chattanooga and again
at Missionary Ridge, where his regiment took an active part. It was in this
engagement that he receivetl a wound in the head while leading his men in
the charge of Mission Ridge. This wound incapacitated him from active
dutv for a time. He recovered and started to rejoin his command, then in
eastern Tennessee, when it was attacked by a force of cavalry under General
Wheeler. \\'hile in camp Mr. Webster was seized with a severe case of
ervsipekis and ordered back to Chattanooga by the surgeons in charge. In
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 675
1864 he re-enlisted with his regiment, as a veteran, and then returned home
on a furlough. When his command moved to the south he accompanied
it and saw some lively serxice. The regiment was stationed at Cleveland,
Tennessee, when the Atlanta campaign opened. The Fortieth Regiment was
assigned to the Second Brigade, Second Division. Fourth Army Corps, and
was also continuously engaged during that memorable campaign, being active
at Tunnel Hill, Buzzard Roost, Liberty Gap, Rockyface Ridge, Resaca,
Adairsville, Cassville and other engagements around Dallas, New Hope
Church, Pumpkinville Creek and Altoona Hills. Also at Picketts and in opera-
tions about Marietta and against Kenesaw Mountain, June 9th to 27th, includ-
ing the fights at Pine Hill, Lost Mountain, Muddy Creek, Pine Knob, and the
asasult on Kenesaw Mountain on June 27th. Here Lieutenant Webster was
wounded in both legs, and this was the last fight in which he participated. The
battle was a desperate affair and his command was exposed to a galling fire,
both front and flank, and fully forty-six per cent, of his command was lost.
Lieutenant Webster, though seriously wounded and lying on the field unattend-
ed, knew that if he was taken prisoner he would be neglected and probably die,
and he determined to escape if possible. He managed to get upon his feet
and was at once made a target for the enemy's bullets. One bail ripped his
coat across the shoulders and others pierced his clothing otherwise, but he
managed to get away without further injury. He was ill from his wounds
until October, 1864, when he was mustered out on account of disability.
Upon his return home the subject began the study of medicine and was
graduated from the Rush Medical College of Chicago in 1870, and began the
practice of his profession at Romney, Tippecanoe county, where he met with
marked success. In 1880 he removed to Lafayette w^here he has continued
his practice. Doctor Webster has been recognized as a physician of ability
and he has served on the state board of medical registration and examination
since 1897. He has also served as a member of the pension board, and has
been a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and Loyal Legion, and
always taken a deep and abiding interest in his old comrades in arms.
Doctor Webster was married to Sallie MacMechan Jones June 15, 1876.
She is a daughter of Dr. Stephen Jones, who was a graduate of the medical
school of Harvard College. Doctor Jones removed West and started to
practice medicine, but not liking the practice entered business and w^as noted
as a financier. His daughter was educated in the common schools and was also
a student in an Indianapolis institution. To Doctor Webster and wife was
born one daughter, Mary E., in 1887.
676 PAST AND PRESENT
Fraternally, Dr. John \\'ebster is a Mason and has attained the degree of
Knight Templar. In politics he is an ardent Republican and has twice been
elected trustee of Randolph township, Tippecanoe county. He is known as a
kind, warm-hearted man and an honored citizen of the county and city in
which he lives.
FREDERICK HENRY ERB, JR.
When Napoleon was carrying on his destructive and spectacular wars,
there was a young Frenchman in the ranks by the name of Frederick Henry
Erb, who served as a sharpshooter, both in Europe and Africa. When peace
followed the overthrow of the great commander, Erb emigrated to America,
where he became both the pioneer and champion in the new art of pigeon
shooting. He arranged a match with William King, the English champion,
ofifering the latter a bonus to come over and contest honors with him. The
stakes were two thousand five hundred dollars a side, and Erb won. In a
great match in Tippecanoe county, at the old homestead of John Opp, Erb
shot with Jack Taylor, of New Jersey, for one thousand dollars a side and
would have won but for the breaking of his gun which compelled him. to use
a strange weapon which caused his defeat. Full five thousand spectators
witnessed this match. He was greatly interested in horse racing, and built the
first track for this purpose in Tippecanoe county on the old Doyle farm.
While the Union Pacific railroad was being built he engaged in supplying
constructors with game for food. When he died in April, 1905, he was esti-
mated to have been one hundred and six years old. He married a French
lady named Mary Roller, who was brought to Lafayette by her father, who
was also a remarkable sample of longevity, it being calculated that when he
died in 1864 he was one hundred and twenty years old.
Frederick Henry Erb, Jr., son of this French couple, was born at Lafay-
ette, Indiana, August 16, 1856, and inherited the genius of his father for
sports and marksmanship. When only eight years old he was sent to Lex-
ington, Kentucky, as a rider of running horses. He became famous as a
jockey and before he was eighteen years old had bestrode many celebrities
of the turf, including such winners as Rambler, Prairie Boy, Silver Tail, Bull
of the Woods and Gypsy. His talent for marksmanship gave him even
greater fame than that achieved as the successful rider of thoroughbreds. So
early as the age of twelve he was regarded as a phenomenon with a gun and
while riding the circuit of running horses his father often backed him in live
pigeon matches in which he scored signal victories. He challenged the re-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 677
doubtable Captain Bogardus, in March, 1880, at that time the champion all-
around shot of the world. The match came off at St. Joseph, Missouri, and
attracted national attention in sporting circles. Bogardus killed eighty-three
birds to Erb's ninety-three, the latter being given the benefit of two yards,
or twenty-eight to Bogardus' thirty. They met again at Lafayette on Jan-
uary 14, 1888, when Bogardus retired after shooting ninetj'-three, with seven
dead birds out of bounds. Erb lost six dead out of bounds, and the nineteenth
bird flew away hard hit. He killed his last sixty-four straight, which caused
Captain Bogardus to give him credit for making the best run ever made by
any man in the world. He declared enthusiastically that his rival was the best
shot he ever saw. April 7, 1888, Mr. Erb gave more remarkable evidence of
his skill in a three-days shoot at flying targets, sixteen yards rise, he standing
eighteen yards from the traps. He hit the first hundred straight, and ninety-six
out of the second hundred. Next day he scored ninety-seven and ninety-nine,
the third day ninety-eight out of one hundred, or four hundred and ninety out
of a possible five hundred in three days. May 28, 1881, at St. Louis, Missouri,
in a match with Capt. W. T. Mitchell with wild pigeons, five ground traps,
thirty yards rise, Erb killed ninety-three to Mitchell's eighty-five. June 20,
1885. at an exhibition witnessed by ten thousand spectators. Mr. Erb broke
forty-eight balls out of fifty thrown into the air, using a Colt's lightning rifle.
He also did a lot of fancy shooting, hitting various kinds of small coins and
performing every imaginable feat possible to a rifle. He then stepped up to
the score to break ninety-six clay piegons out of one hundred, of which he
broke one hundred straight, using only one barrel of a Colt's twelve-bore.
He has taught marksmanship to many prominent men, doctors, lawyers and
statesmen, coming from all parts of the United States to get the benefit of
his instruction.
Mr. Erb also enjoys a national reputation as a trainer of hunting dogs.
He has autograph letters from President Roosevelt, Secretary Cortelyou. Buf-
falo Bill, and many others expressing appreciation for the training he had
given their dogs. He has trained dogs for Presidents Cleveland and Harrison
and most of the celebrated sporting men of the country. His ideas on this
subject are strictly his own, reached as the result of many years of close ob-
servation and experience, all his methods being based upon kindly and humane
considerations. He has patented a very successful device to be used in teach-
ing dogs to retrieve from land or water, and be obedient in the field. He
challenges the world to equal this ingenious device. He has also been the
patentee of several sporting devices which have met with favor and success,
among which may be mentioned the feather artificial target, which was sold to
678 PAST AND PRESENT
English capitalists where it was manufactured. Another well known article
throughout the country patented by him is the Erb dog collar, which has ac-
quired an extensive manufacture and sale. Mr. Erb is the author of a book
entitled, "How to Train Dogs and Cats; Hints on Shooting and Hunting
Game." This book is wonderfully clear and concise and, being the result of
both inherited talent and years of experience, is of great value. Perhaps,
however, Mr. Erb will longest be remembered as the inventor of the famous
"Erb, Jr., Dog and Cat Food." Its preparation was a secret for twenty-five
years, the ingredients being selected as the result of observing animals in the
natural state, seeking the medicines suitable for their ailments. The animal
will eat it of its own accord, and it is so clean that even human beings need
not hesitate to use it. It was made public in January, 1906, and the public
are invited to visit his factory and observe the processes of its preparation.
"Field and Fancy," the leading dog paper of the world, gives the food high
praise, and Bart T. Ruddle, manager of pet animal shows, conducted by the
Wisconsin Humane Society, and many others find the Erb food unexcelled for
pet stock. In 1909 Mr. Erb gave up training dogs to build a factory in West
Lafayette for the manufacture of this food.
Mr. Erb married Adelaide, daughter of Eugene Schaufert, of St. Joseph,
Missouri, who was a native of Germany, and said to have built the first
vinegar factory west of the Mississippi river. Mr. and Mrs. Erb's only living
son enjoys the title of Fred Erb III. He is interested in agricultural pursuits,
especially the raising of fine stock. He married Jennie, daughter of John
Saxe, an old-time canal boat trader, who accumulated a considerable fortune
in that line before the days of railroads. Fred Erb III and his wife are the
parents of a son, who bears the title of Fred Erb IV.
TAMES B. SHAW.
The well-known justice of the peace at Lafayette. Indiana, whose name
introduces this biographical memoir is a descendant of good old Scotch-Irish
stock, his ancestors having been prominent in the New England states
during the colonial days, his grandfather and great-grandfather having
fought in the Revolutionary war. His father, William H. Shaw, was born
in Gorham, Maine, September i, 181 1. and his mother, whose maiden name
was Cornelia Mudge, was born in Wayne county. New York, September 13,
1821. Her mother's uncle, General Tellison, was on the staff of the great
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 6/9
Washington during the Revohitionary war. His father's brothers were
sailors and her father w as a merchant during most of his life. To the parents
of James B. Shaw six children were born, four boys and two girls, James
B., the oldest. Mrs. Jessie G. Solomon, the youngest, who is living at
Elgin, Illinois, the wife of Moses Solomon, was born December 13, 1856,
and she was married in 1882 ; no children have been born to them. She
and the subject of this re\'iew are the only living members of the family
of Mr. and Mrs. William H. Shaw. Frank Shaw, who was born August
5, 1853, married Jennie Kauffman in 1875, in Remington, Jasper county,
Indiana, and they became the parents of one child, a son named R. W.
Shaw, who lives in Chicago.
James B. Shaw was born May 28, 1842, in Delphi. Carroll county,
Indiana, in which place he began his early education, studying in the pub-
lic schools until 1858 when he entered Wabash College at Crawfordsville
where he prosecuted his studies until 1861 when the war between the states
began, which prompted him to leave his studies and his home and enlist
on September 6, 1861, as a private in Company D, Tenth Regiment Indiana
Volunteer Infanty, under Col. Mahlon D. Manson of Crawfordsville, and
Capt. Joseph F. Taylor of Benton county. On July 16, 1862, he was pro-
moted to hospital steward, faithfully serving as such until mustered out
September 16, 1864. He was present at some famous engagements while
under Sherman in the Atlanta campaign and on the march to the sea, in-
cluding Chickamauga, Corinth, Perryville. Tullahoma, Missionary Ridge,
Buzzard Roost, Resaca, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, seeing one hundred
and twenty days of continuous fighting on the Atlanta campaign alone. He
returned to Remington. Indiana, then went to Watseka, Illinois, where he
entered the telegraphic service on the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw Railroad,
later the Pittsburg, Chicago & St. Louis, also the Chicago & Eastern Illi-
nois and the Lake Erie & Western Railroad, faithfully serving these various
roads in a most acceptable manner for a period of twenty-one years. In
1886 Mr. Shaw was elected justice of the peace and so faithfully and well
has he performed the duties of the office that he has been retained up to
the present time. During his long term of twenty-three years he has shown
that he is an able, impartial and judicious exponent of the law and few of
his decisions have met with reversal at the hands of a higher tribunal. He
has been a loyal Republican all his life, having first cast his vote for
President Abraham Lincoln in 1864. He was reared in the Presbyterian
faith, to which his parents were strict adherents. He is a member of the
Grand Amiy of the Republic, Post No. 475, and the L'nion \'eteran Legion.
68o PAST AND PRESENT
Camp No. 122. He is also a ^lason. belonging to the lodge at Kentland.
Indiana. But in all these he perhaps takes the greatest interest in the Grand
Army, having first joined the Lafayette Post. No. 3, on December 2. 1879.
having filled all the offices in the same, having in 1894 been elected senior
vice commander of the Department of Indiana. He is past colonel of En-
campment No. 122, Union Veteran Legion. He probably knows more sol-
diers than any man in the state, and he is familiar with the history of every
regiment and battery organized in the state. He and Comrade Aiken in
1883 first began to place flags on the graves of twenty-eight Confederate
soldiers at Greenbnsh cemetery, and on the graves of twenty-two Union
men there, and they have continued this practice ever since, not missing a
single Decoration day. He receives a pension, and he has a very comfortable
home at 1006 Elliott avenue. Lafayette.
Mr. Shaw is a well preserved man considering his past life of mingled
hardship and toil, being stoutly built. He has decided tastes and senti-
ments, is thoroughly patriotic and he is well fitted for the work of justice
of the peace, being a man of force, yet companionable and a very interest-
ing talker, having a good memory.
URBAN A. LYLE. M. D.
Dr. Urban A. Lyle, who is one of the younger representatives of the
medical profession practicing in the city of Lafayette, was born January 28.
1878, at Salem. Ohio. His parents were Thomas and Lucy M. (Mamyum)
Lyle. The father was born in England, of English parents, and the mother
was born in ^Memphis. Tennessee, and was descended from an old southern
family of much respectability. Her father was a prominent planter and before
the war a slaveholder. In the Civil war days, Gen. Robert E. Lee
used to make his headquarters, whenever convenient, at her fathers house.
Her father and her two brothers were in the Confederate army, the father
dying while in the service and one son died of yellow fever.
Thomas Lyle was a prominent physician and surgeon. At one time he
was an instructor in a college at Toronto, Canada. Subsequently he grad-
uated from the Toronto School of Medicine and practiced medicine in that
Canadian city for a time. After coming to the United States, he studied and
graduated in theology, becoming pastor of the Disciples church at Salem,
Ohio. During his pastorate there, he was instrumental in building a church
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 68 1
edifice. He also practiced medicine at the same time lie was serving as pas-
tor. Later he graduated from the Physio-Medical College of Cincinnati,
Ohio, after which he devoted his time to medicine alone. He is still prac-
ticing medicine at Salem, Ohio, where he is regarded as an excellent and
highly trustworthy physician. He was appointed professor of materia medica
in the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Chicago. He was the father
of four children: James M., Charles H., Eugene G., and Urban A., of
this memoir.
The Doctor attended the high school at Salem, Ohio, and having chosen
the profession followed by his father, he entered upon a course of medicine
at the Physio-Medical College at Indianapolis, graduating in 1903. In 1904,
he graduated at the Electro-Therapeutic College of Lima, Ohio. He then
located in practice at Lafayette where he is gaining a lucrative and highly
successful practice among good families of the city. He has the advantage
of being thoroughly posted in the latest, up-to-date methods of combatting
diseases. His office is among the best equipped in Lafayette, and includes
an X-ray machine and other electrical apparatuses. In medical societies, he
is counted among the membership of the Tippecanoe County Medical Society
and the American Medical Association. At present he is a member of the
Lafayette board of health.
Politically, he of whom this sketch is written is a believer in the prin-
ciples as shown in the platform of the Republican party, of which body he is
an active, intelligent member. In civic society matters, the Doctor affiliates
with the Masonic fraternity; the Eagles, Modern Woodmen, Moose and
Knights of Pythias orders, belonging to the regimental staff of the last named
fraternity.
Doctor Lyle married, September 14, 1902, Estella M. Turney, daughter
of Dr. S. R. Turney, of Brownstown, Illinois. Mrs. Lyle is an accomplished
musician — one of a high order — having graduated in music at the Paso
Conservatory of Music, Lebanon. Illinois, and the School of Music at St.
Louis, Missouri, besides the Metropolitan School of Music at Indianapolis.
PARKER A. BYERS.
Everybody in Lafayette and thousands from other parts of the country
have long known Parker A. Byers, and it would be safe to sa)- tint all wlin
know him entertain for him a feeling of admiration akin to love. The reason
6S2 PAST AND PRESENT
for this is his gentle manners, his genial address and accommodating dispo-
sition, united with a bright mind and rare talents as a conversationalist. For
more than tliirty years his place of business in the "Star City" has been head-
quarters for all the choice spirits. Few visitors coming to Lafayette fail to
call and see Parker. Tliere they meet otliers, and it is a rare evening that -n
intelligent and fun-loving crowd can not be found in the hospitable halls of
Mr. Byers. He is a native of Indiana and a fine sample of the Hoosier at
his best. A son of Stephen A. and Mary (Brookbank) Byers, he was born
at Delphi, Indiana, in 1852, and spent a happy boyhood in the "old swimmin'
holes," the green pastures and other boyish resorts in and around the capital
of Carroll county. Of course he attended school between times and there is
a tradition that in all sports of an innocent nature, all athletic games and
invigorating pastimes young Byers could ever be found as a leader. In 1868,
when about sixteen years old, he located at Lafayette and for the next four
years had charge of Comstock's billiard hall. He became an expert at the
game, was gradually recognized as a professional and before he was hardly
of age had a national reputation as a billiard player. He it was who played
the first match game at Indianapolis in 1873. with the celebrated Schafer. the
occasion being one of vast interest to billiardists and heralded in sporting cir-
cles all over the country. When twenty years old, which was in 1872, Mr.
Byers went into business for himself at the corner of Fifth and Columbia
streets, moving later to the Bramble House, where he remained until 1877,
when he located permanently on Fourth street. For thirty-two years he has
occupied this place, making it the most popular resort of the kind in Lafay-
ette. Mr. Byers" literary tastes suggested the establishment of a reading
room, which for years has been a favorite meeting place for those desiring to
consult the daily papers or latest magazines. There is also a library of well
selected books, and the rooms are made inviting in every respect. He is
president of the Merchants' Electric Lighting Association.
In 1874, Mr. Byers married Sarah J. Shaffer, of Lafayette, and his home
is the abode of hospitality and kindly greeting to all who call. ^Mr. Byers
may properly lay claim to the title "perfect gentleman," being indeed one of
nature's noblemen. In personal appearance he is tall and well built, with dark
eyes, pleasant manner, always cheerful, and possessed of a fine sense of humor
that makes him a charming companion. He is a man of high character, kind
and honorable in his dealings, generous, sociable and well informed. He is a
member of the Episcopal church and the Improved Order of Red Men, and
practically counts his friends by the number of his acquaintances at home or
abroad, as "none know him but to love him. none name him but to praise."
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 683
ALEXANDER HAMILTON CROUSE.
The founc'er of this well-known Tippecanoe county family was of Ger-
man origin. George Grouse came across the Atlantic long before the Revolu-
tionary war and settled in Gumberland county, Pennsylvania. He left a son
named Henry, who was born July 6, 1768, and married a Miss Hevison,
whose birth date is recorded as February 15, 1766. The date of the births of
their children are thus given in the old family Bible : Catherine, May 20,
1792; Leah, March 6, 1794; Henry, August i, 1796; Maria, July 15, 1798;
Simon, July 25, 1802; John, April 15, 1805; David, September 18, 1808;
Elizabeth, October 15, 1810; Daniel, November 20, 1814. About 1820, the
father of this family removed to Germantown, Ohio, and cleared a farm in
that locality. In 1830 he settled in Marion county, Indiana, where he pur-'
chased and cleared a section of land, including the site afterward selected
for the Indiana Asylum for the Insane, west of Indianapolis. He died in the
prime of life, as the result of injuries from a falling tree. His son, John W.,
who was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, came with his father
on his removal to Butler county, Ohio. March 17, 1825, he was married to
Eliza Christman, in Preble county, Ohio, the ceremony being performed by
Bishop Kumler, a well-known ecclesiastic of that day. She was born in
Preble county, Ohio, June 5, 1805, her parents being Daniel and Madalina
(Ogo) Christman. They were both natives of Guilford county, North Car-
olina, the father being born March 27, 1793, and the mother, December 8.
1776. They had five children, John, Eliza, Solomon. Jacob and Daniel. The
family were early pioneers of Preble county and highly respected as citizens.
Daniel entered land and became prosperous as a farmer, at one time owning
about three hundred acres. He was a member of the United Brethren church,
straightforward and honorable in his business dealings, and died on his Ohio
homestead when eighty years of age. After his marriage, John W. Grouse
located near Liberty, Union county, Indiana, where he purchased land and
a sawmill. In the fall of 1828 he removed to Tippecanoe county and located
on land in Wayne township two miles from the present Grouse homestead.
Besides the quarter section entered from the government, he bought one hun-
dred and forty-two acres and there remained until his death, September i 3,
1844. He cleared off the timber and turned the first furrows on the prairie
land, developing three hundred acres of rich soil, the greater part of which
he brought to a high state of cultivation. He and his wife were members
of the United Brethren church, in which he served as class leader and held
684 P^^"^ ■'^^^ PRESENT
other ofiices. He was a \-ery zealous member, contributing liljerally to build
and support the work of the denomination. At one time he was a Whig-
candidate for state senator. He was loyal as a citizen, practical as a farmer,
straightforward in business and in every way reliable. His wife died March
26, 1883. aged seventy-eight years. During her long widowhood of nearly
forty years, she depended on her son Alexander to manage her business
affairs. Her children were as follow^s: Mary A., born October 5, 1826;
Alexander H.. October 23, 1828; Daniel Franklin, June 11, 1837, died July
II. 1866; Mary A. married James W. Stewart and died March 23. 1874.
Alexander Hamilton Crouse was born in Union county, Indiana, Oc-
tober 22,. 1828. and was but six months old when brought by his parents
to Tippecanoe county. His early life and training was passed in the pioneer
period and he never lost the coloring of character and sturdy qualities ac-
quired in those days of heroic hardship. What little education he got was
in a log school house. He knew all about the soft side of puncheon seats
and helped put the ten-foot backlog into the yawning fireplace. At inter-
vals, between his sixth and fifteenth year, this pioneer boy attended this
rude school, going occasionally to a school of a little better grade near O'Dell
Corner. His father early began to teach him practical business methods and
when still a boy he knew how to bargain for cattle, his father giving him the
money and showing him the points of good stock. He was an unusually
bright farm boy and when only nine years old cultivated thirty-five acres
of corn. At the age of sixteen, the death of his father left the manage-
ment of the farm on his shoulders. In time he became quite prosperous
as a cattle dealer and amassed wealth.
June 24. 1894, Mr. Crouse was married in Hardin county. Kentucky,
to Miss Tee P. Humphrey, a member of a distinguished family of the state.
More than twelve hundred people attended the ceremony, which was per-
formed by the bride's brother. Rev. Felix Humphrey. Mr. and Mrs. Crouse
gave a reception on returning to their Indiana home, which was attended
by over six hundred friends and neighbors of the family. ]\lrs. Crouse
was born in Hardin county, Kentucky, March 25, 1872, her parents being
Thomas and Armanda (Royalty) Humphrey. Her paternal grandparents
were Samuel and Drusilla (Haywood) Humphrey. The paternal great-
grandfather, Samuel Humphrey. Sr., came from Virginia and became a
pioneer of Kentucky, where he made his home among the Indians and the
wild and romantic scenery of that famous region. Mrs. Drusilla Humphrey,
grandmother of Mrs. Crouse, was the daughter of a prominent official of
Hardin countv. who had Indian blood in his veins, and more remote mem-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 6S5
bers of the family served as cliiefs of the Shawnee Indians. It is claimed
that a vast amount of the land in Kentucky belongs to this branch of the
family. The children of Samuel and Drusilla Humphrey were Sallie. John,
Lydia, Samuel, William, Wesley, Thomas, Rachel, and Mahala, the last
dying in early womanhood. The father, who was a substantial citizen of
Hardin county, died at his home there in middle life. His son, Thomas
Humphrey, who became the father of Mrs. Crouse, was born in Hardin
county, March 12, 1827, followed farming and when about twenty years
of age married Armanda Royalty, who was born in Hardin county, July
I, 1832, her parents being Daniel and Annie (Saunders) Royalty. Her
father, who was born in Washington county, Kentucky, was a son of David
Royalty, one of the pioneers of Kentucky. Annie Saunders was a daughter
of Thomas and Sally Saunders, the father serving through the Revolutionary
war under General Washington. He was a very strong man and weighed
two hundred sixt}' pounds when he entered the army, but received a wound
in battle which made him a cripple for life. His parents lived near one of
the battle fields and the window-panes were shattered by the firing. After
leaving the army, Mr. Royalty took up his residence in Washington county
and there spent the remainder of his days. His children were Annie, Isaac,
Rebecca, Hannah and several daughters whose names are forgotten. Dan-
iel Royalty was a shoemaker but owned land in Hardin county, of which
he was one of the substantial citizens. He removed to that locality soon
after his marriage and lived there until his death. His children were Sarah,
Thomas, Jane, Rebecca, Catherine, Mary A., and Armanda. After their mar-
riage, Thomas Humphrey and wife located at the headwaters of Mill creek,
where he purchased a farm and spent the rest of his life in its cultivation. His
children were Felix, Thomas, Missouri, John W., Isaac F. and Wyatt W.
(twins), Mary, Christian D. and Tee P. The father died December 22. 1894,
aged sixty-seven. He was a member of the Baptist church and had served
as clerk and moderator. In business he was industrious, energetic and
trustworthy, kind and affectionate to his family and a iirst-class citizen in
all respects. His widow makes her home with Mrs. Crouse, and, like the
latter and the rest of her children, is a devoted member of the Baptist
church. The Humphreys are one of the oldest and most influential of
Kentucky families. Rev. Felix Humphrey, brother of Mrs. Crouse, was
educated at Garnettsville, Meade county, Kentucky, and is now an ordained
minister of the Baptist church.
Alexander H. Crouse was in many ways one of the most notable citi-
zens of Tippecanoe county. He was especially well known as a farmer,
686 PAST AND PRESENT
in which Hne lie was energetic, progressive and resourceful. His manage-
ment of his mother's estate showed business ability of a high order. For
eight and a half years he served as justice of the peace and during that
time tried many cases, whose decision gave him a reputation for moderation
and justice. His good common sense proved valuable to litigants, whom
he persuaded to settle many of their disputes out of court. He always
favored arbitration, if this could be brought about, and saved contending
parties much money by inducing them to compromise their differences. He
was a man of integrity, of sterling character, and his word was as good
as his bond to those who knew him. At one time he was a candidate for
state senator and always took an interest in politics, first as a Republican,
then as a Democrat. It is claimed that he suggested the ground-work for
the present Indiana liquor laws, and in other ways showed constructi\-e ability.
Mr. Crouse travelled a good deal not only in the United States but through
foreign countries. In 1869 he spent some time in England and Ireland,
Scotland, W^ales, France, Germany, Spain and Turkey. His sympathies
were warm, his disposition kindly and his nature generous. He was long
a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he filled
all the chairs, and also belonged to the Encampment. He died August
13, 1908, and is buried in the Westpoint cemetery, where his widow has
erected a beautiful monument to his memory. Mrs. Crouse is a lady of
many charms, bespeaking the high social connections and fine families from
which she sprang. Her home is noted for its hospitality and so kindly and
courteously dispensed as to make all who call desire to come again. The
children of Mr. and Mrs. Crouse are as follows: John Thomas, born April
26, 1895, and died in infancy: William Alexander, born November 24, 1896:
Mary Magdalene, born October 7, 1898: Mark Hermon, born August 29,
1903; Partlow Loveless, born August 14, 1905, and Armanda Eliza, born
October 11, 1908.
WILLIAM SBIPSOX WALKER, M. D.
Dr. William S. Walker, one of the practicing physicians and surgeons
of the city of Lafayette, was born November 16, 1846. at Morristown, Ten-
nessee, a son of Lovel and Amanda Jane (Howell) Walker, both natives
of Tennessee. The father was a Baptist minister and followed that and
farming many years. At the time of the Rebellion, he was an ardent Union
man and finally became a Republican. Lovel and Amanda J. (Howell)
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 687
Walker had four children : Jane married Noah Alexander \\'illiams and
now resides at Asheville. North Carolina: Rebecca married a Quaker
(Friend) preacher named Jonathan Mills and now lives at Seattle, Wash-
ington : Hannah married Dr. Isaac Walker, and resides at Alpha, Tennessee.
The other child in the family was Dr. William S., of this sketch. The
father died in 1879; the good wife and mother is still living and resides
on the old homestead at Alpha, Tennessee. The land on which she lives
was originally ceded to Tennessee by North Carolina and was first owned
by the maternal great-great-grandfather, Benjamin Howell. A part of this
tract of land has remained in the name of some of the Walkers and Howells
ever since. The residence now on the place is the fourth that has been used
on the premises and practically in the same place.
Dr. William S. Walker attended the Panther Springs Academy at
Panther Springs, Tennessee, and subsequently entered Mossy Creek (now
Newman-Carson) College, at Jefiferson, Tennessee. He was still in college
when the war broke in upon his course of studies. He then entered Miami
Medical College, at Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating in the spring of 1869.
He located at Colburn, Tippecanoe county, Indiana, arriving the same year
of his graduation, and practiced there until 1876, when he removed to
Lafayette, where lie has been in the constant practice of medicine ever
since, except a few months when he was absent taking a course of lectures
at the Indiana Medical College at Indianapolis in 1887 and a post-graduate
course in New York in 1901-02.
The Doctor is an active member of the Tippecanoe County ^Medical
Society, the Mississippi Valley Medical Society and the American Medical
Association. He is now the president of the District Councillors Associa-
tion and has been connected with St. Elizabeth's Hospital for over thirty
years, and physician and surgeon at St. Joseph's Asylum. Lafayette, for
twenty years. He is now consulting physician for the Home Hospital.
In his political views he of whom this sketch is written is in general
harmony with the platforms of the Democratic party. He has represented
his ward one term on the city council ; also served as health officer and pen-
sion examiner. In 1873 he was the Democratic candidate for the office
of state senator against Judge La Rue. The election was a close one and
was contested, notwithstanding the fact that the normal Republican majority
in Tippecanoe county was at that time about eight hundred. Like many
of the modern-day professional men. Mr. Walker is connects! with the ancient
and honorable fraternity of Masons, having been advanced to the thirty-
second degree in that order. He also holds a membership with the brother-
688 PAST AND PRESENT
hood of Elks at Lafayette. For thirty years he has been a consistent nien-
ber of the Trinity ]\Iethodist Episcopal church of Lafayette.
Concerning his domestic afifairs, let it be stated that the Doctor mar-
ried, first, in July, 1868, IMary E. Gettel, by whom two children were born,
Curtis L, and Elmer. The wife and mother died in 1870, In 1872 he
married Emma A. Dreyer, daughter of Henry Dreyer, and by this union
two children were born, Emma Estella and Roy Simpson. During his long
residence in this county. Doctor Walker has always deported himself in a
manner becoming a professional man and has won a wide circle of friends,
both as a doctor of medicine and citizen of a puljlic-spirited nature.
HENRY TAYLOR SAMPLE.
For more than half a century the late Henry Taylor Sample was an
honored citizen of the state, esteemed and loved by all who knew him. He
was born near Middletown, Butler county, Ohio, September 29, 1805, and
died at Lafayette, Indiana, February 19, 1881. His parents were John
Sample and Ann Taylor. His father was a manufacturer of flour and one of
the pioneers in his section of Ohio in building and operating what were then
known as gristmills. His first mill was near Middletown, in Butler county ;
his second was on the Big Miami river, in the northern part of the same
county at Colerain. Subsequently he removed over the border into Randolph
county, Indiana, where he erected a mill on White river and also opened up
and cultivated a farm. Henry Sample, the subject of this biography, either
inherited or acquired very early a commercial instinct and during his minority
engaged in selling the products of his father's mills and farm to the settlers
in the interior of the state. Many of the products were transported in flat-
boats down White river, and sold to the settlers in what was known as the
New Purchase, which included the present site of Indianapolis. He also
was one of the pioneers as a boy in extending the trade along the Mississinewa
river, into the country of the Miami Indians and to the settlers along the
upper Wabash. To reach the Mississinewa it was necessary to carry the
flour, grain, vegetables and lumber by wagon a distance of eight miles. In
1825 his journey was extended as far down the Wabash as Lafayette, the
site of which had been surveyed and platted a week before he arrived.
In 1826 Mr. Sample married Sarah Sumwalt and two or three years
later settled in the new town of Lafayette. He had already gained a large
experience in trade and was skilled in the tanner's art. He therefore opened
/Yy^ufyh^t
cry
Thf Cmhii-y fHibliahmg X Engraving Co Cfiicagci
f^/a^\y ^(y!^^<^/^l^jC^^
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 689
in Lafayette a tannery which he conducted with gratifying success until 1854,
in connection with the other business enterprises of great value. As early
as 1833 he began the slaughter of hogs and nine years later formed a partner-
ship with the late Joseph S. Hanna in the business of slaughtering and pack-
ing both pork and beef on an extended scale. The firm of Sample & Hanna
soon won a high reputation, which extended from the markets on the eastern
seaboard to New Orleans, where many of their products were sold. Mr.
Sample himself made several trips with cargoes of pork and lard on flat-
boats via the Wabash, Ohio and Mississippi rivers to New Orleans, where
the cargoes were sold at a good profit. By his integrity and the honesty of
his dealings he gained the confidence of all classes of the farmers and stock
growers with whom he had most of his dealings. All of them reposed such
confidence in him that in times of panic they would place their surplus money
in his hands and take his receipt for the same rather than risk it in the banks.
He was. during all his successful business life, a friend of the poor and those
who were obliged to earn their living by toil. He never forgot his own
hurnble boyhood and was always willing to lend a hand to the worthy who
were struggling to better their condition. In 1858 he purchased a large tract
of land on the Grand Prairie in Benton county, which he converted into a
fine stock farm. The management of this farm and the raising and market-
ing of cattle was very congenial to his taste and yielded large profits on the
investment. Mr. Sample's judgment appeared to be unerring and he was
possessed of that peculiar foresight which is essential to success in commercial
enterprises. He counted the cost and weighed the chances before embarking
in a new business, and everything he undertook was managed with such
abihty and conservatism, with such energy and persistence, with such accurate
forecasting of the results, that no enterprise managed by him ever failed.
\\'hatever he undertook, in the way of business, whether for personal gain
or public welfare, prospered. As a natural sequence to this sagacity, executive
ability and careful attention, he built up a fortune which was ample for
himself and family. Unfortunately, after fifty years of almost unexampled
prosperity and uninterrupted success in the various industries and commercial
enterprises with which he was actively connected, he was induced to largely
invest in manufacturing enterprises with which he was not actively connected.
These investments proved disastrous and he lived to see the accumulations
of more than a half century swept away. In early life and so long as that
p-irty maintained a distinctive organization, Mr. Sample was a Whig and.
with the majority of the members of that party, he entered into the Repub-
lican partv at its birth and remained a member of it until the close of his.
(44)
690 PAST AND PRESENT
life. He was never an aspirant for public office or even active in the manage-
ment of politics, and his only official service was in the common council of
Lafayette. His acquaintance with farmers generally, and their high regard
for him, caused his election to the presidency of a county fair organized in
1867, which remained in existence for three years. This little pioneer organ-
ization was the forerunner of the Tippecanoe County Agricultural Associa-
tion, which has grown to be the largest association of its class in the state
of Indiana. Much of its growth and prestige are due to the wise and efficient
executive administration of Mr. Sample, who was its first president and its
only one to the time of his death. For the last eight years of his life he was
a member of the state board of agriculture, in which his counsel was always
sought and accepted as of great value to the society.
Mr. Sample's marriage in early life was happy and for a period of fifty-
five years the bonds of that wedlock held the husband and wife in loving
companionship. They were similar in their tastes, their moral character and
their religion, both being earnest and sincere members of the Methodist Epis-
copal church, and both enjoying the work of relieving the distressed and
making the world around them brighter and happier by dispensing charity
with open hands. They had eight children, three of whom died in infancy.
Of the remaining five, John Godfrey and Boyes Taylor died after reaching
maturity; Isabella Dunbar is the widow of the late Henry Taylor; Robert
William is a banker in Lafayette ; and Sallie A. is a widow of the late David
McBride, of the same city. Henry T. Sample was not only a man of large
executive ability, but a man of unusual intellectual strength. His physical
proportions were also large, his height being six feet one inch and his weight
two hundred and twenty-five pounds. He possessed a kindly disposition, in-
viting companionship, and his ministrations to others who needed help were
the source of joy and happiness to himself. His business transactions extend-
ed over a large area of country, embraced a great variety of commercial busi-
nesses as well as agricultural and industrial products, and through it all he
was the same honest, upright, noble-minded man. The affectionate rever-
ence for his good deeds still lingering in the hearts of the people among
whom he lived will not permit the memory of his life to perish from the earth.
ARTHUR BEAVER WESTFALL, M. D.
Prominent among the younger physicians is Dr. Arthur B. \\'estfall.
of the city of Lafayette, a native of Tippecanoe county, in fact a Hoosier
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 69!
born and bred. Probably no medical practitioner in western Indiana is
better known than Doctor Westfall, who was born September 17, i860, in
the county in which he now resides. He is a son of a farmer, his parents
being Joel and Amelia (Beaver) Westfall, now deceased, both widely known
for their sterling qualities of citizenship and home kindliness. Their son
inherited the kindliness of his parents and with energy and determination
has risen to the fore-front of the medical profession.
Arthur B. Westfall was educated in the district schools and entered
Purdue University in 1878 and was a student there for two years. De-
termined upon a career in medicine, the young man matriculated at the Ken-
tucky School of Medicine, Louisville; Kentucky, and graduated there in 1890
with signal honors. He then entered the practice of his profession with
fair success. In 1896 he went to New York city where he took a post-
graduate course in clinical medicine and surgery at the New York Post-
graduate Medical School of that city. Completing his work there, he ar-
ranged to attend the Metropolitan School of Medicine in London, England,
where he took further instructions and after completing his studies returned
to Lafayette where he has practiced his profession ever since with a degree
of success not many young men attain. His fame as a surgeon is more
than local, while his clientele of patients is large. He is a member of the
American Medical Association, the Indiana Medical Association and also
of the Tippecanoe County Medical Society. He is also examiner for the
Federal and Equitable insurance companies and holds a high place among
his brethren in the practice of medicine.
Dr. Arthur Westfall was married to Ada Lang, of Cincinnati, Ohio,
and she has taken no small part in his success. He is a member of the
Knights of Pythias order at Lafayette and also a member of the Trinity
Methodist Episcopal church of the same city. He and his wife are identified
with the social side of the city as well as being interested in the work of the
church to which they belong. Dr. Westfall has never forgotten his love for
the farm and is the owner of considerable land in the state of Colorado. His
career as a physician holds out an example to other young men by showing
what pluck, perseverance and hard work will do toward ultimate success.
HON. THOMAS W^ FIELD.
Hon. Thomas W. Field, the present city judge of the city of Lafayette,
was born in Wayne township, Tippecanoe county, Indiana, a son of Charles
692 PAST AND PRESENT
A. and Frances ( Mustard ) Field. The father was a soldier during the
Civil war period in the Union army. At the date of his death he was a
commercial traveler, and he died when the subject of this notice was but
about five years of age, leaving himself and a brother. Henry J- Field, to
battle alone in the conflict of life. Indeed such men as the Judge have
reason to appreciate the cost of that great war and of the hardships which
its soldiery underwent for the flag of their country, for few of the men
who wore the loyal blue from 1861 to 1865 returned in as good a physical
condition as when they enlisted. The subject's mother is still living, a well
preserved lady who did all within her power to rear and educate her father-
less sons.
After attending the public schools of his native county, young Field,
having graduated from the high school at West Point, this county, entered
Depauw University, at Greencastle, Indiana, and graduated from the law
department in 1894, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He was
admitted to the Tippecanoe county bar in 1895, opened a law office at
Lafayette and began the practice of his chosen profession, in which he has
made rapid progress and secured a paying business among a respectable
class of clients.
In his political affiliations, the Judge is a Democrat and stands well
in his part v. In the month of November, 1905, he was elected to the city
judgeship, his term of office beginning in September, 1906, and expires
in January, 19 10. This is one of the political offices within Indiana which
admits of the incumbent performing the duties devolving upon such an
officer and at the same time practice law. He has taken advantage of this
provision and held his office practice, while serving in the capacity of judge.
The city of Lafayette is normally Republican by about four hundred
majority, but Judge Field was elected as a candidate of the Democratic
party by a majority of one thousand, one hundred thirty-one, carrj^ing
every precinct in the city. In 1902 he was a candidate for prosecuting at-
torney, and in 1908 a candidate against Judge De Hart, the Republican
and successful candidate for judge of the circuit court of Tippecanoe county.
In 1898 he was deputy county clerk, serving four years. When the office
of city controller was established by law. he was appointed as the first city
controller, serving ten months.
The Judge is a member of the Jackson Club, a political organization,
and the Lafayette Club, purely a social organization. Considering his years,
just in life's prime, the subject is in possession of a fine legal education, a
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 693
lucrative practice and the incumbent of an office where good judgment and
discretion is demanded. His many friends and admirers be:;peak for him a
successful and long career at the bar and on the bench of his county.
JOHN P. FORESMAN.
The name Foresman has long been connected with the development
and progress of Indiana and the record of the family is one which reflects
credit upon the state. It is a well-attested maxim that the greatness of a
country lies not in the machinery of government nor even in its institutions,
but rather in the sterling qualities of the individual citizen, in his capacity
for high and unselfish effort and his devotion to the public welfare. In
these particulars, those who have borne the above name have conferred
honor and dignity upon their county and state and as an elemental part
of history we are pleased to record a sketch of the leading representative of
the family with the object in view of noting his connection with the ad-
vancement of one of the most flourishing and progressive parts of the com-
monwealth and affording an example worthy of emulation by the young
men whose life work is largely a matter of the future.
John P. Foresman, who has been a life-long resident and prominent
citizen of Tippecanoe county, is the elder of the two sons of Bennett and
Mary (Groce) Foresman, the former born in June, 1840, in Union town-
ship, the latter in Pickaway county, Ohio, in the month of July, 1842.
These parents were made husband and wife at Circleville, Ohio, in October,
1864, and later settled in Union township, where in due time Bennett Fores-
man became one of the leading agriculturists and stock raisers in the
county, owning at the time of his death a finely improved farm of five hun-
dred acres, which, with other valuable property he had accumulated, made
him one of the wealthiest men in his part of the country. With the ex-
ception of the two years he served as county treasurer, he devoted his en-
tire life to his chosen vocation and for many years enjoyed much more
than local repute as a farmer and stock man, besides holding worthy pres-
tige as an enterprising, public-spirited citizen. He died on the homestead
in Union township, November 8. 1900, and was profoundly mourned by a
large circle of friends and acquaintances who had learned to appreciate him
for his sterling worth. Mrs. Foresman is still living and since the death
of her husband has made her home in Lafayette. \\'illiam B. Foresman, the
subject's youngest brother, is engaged in the grain business and for some
694 PAST AND PRESENT
years has been a member of the firm of Crabbs, Reynolds, Taylor & Com-
pany, which he represents on the road as travelling auditor. He is a man of
family, has an extensive acquaintance in business circles, especially among
the grain dealers of his own and other states, and stands high in the es-
teem of the people of Lafayette and the county of Tippecanoe.
John P. Foresman, whose birth occurred on the 3d of October, 1866,
was educated in the public schools and Purdue University and his childhood
and youth were spent in close touch with nature on the farm, and had a
marked influence in developing a strong and vigorous physique, a well-
rounded character and fitting him for the course of action to which his life
thus far has been devoted. He early became interested in agricultural pur-
suits and livestock and while still a mere youth began dealing in the latter
in partnership with his brother and it was not long until they had built up
quite an extensive and lucrative business. He has never ceased his activity
in this regard, and, though not as extensively engaged as formerly, is still
in touch with all matters relating to livestock, owning a number of high-
grade animals on his beautiful farm in Union township and occupying a
prominent place among the leading livestock dealers throughout the country.
For some time past he has been much interested in horses, making a specialty
of trotting stock, and now has a number of valuable animals of high
pedigree and excellent records on the turf. He is a lover of the horse,
an excellent judge of the animal and to his influence as much perhaps as
to that of any other man are the farmers of Union and other townships
indebted for the marked improvement which has recenth^ been brought
about in their breeds of horses and other domestic stock.
Reared on a farm and, as already indicated, an enterprising and en-
thusiastic agriculturist, Mr. Foresman has never been indifferent to the duties
of citizenship nor neglected informing himself upon the leading stock ques-
tions of the day. From his youth, he has been a reader and obser\.'er and
since attaining his majority his influence in the councils of the Democratic
party have had much to do in shaping its policies in local matters. Until
recently he labored diligently for the success of his party and its candidates
with little thought of his own advancement, but in 1907 he was nominated
for county auditor and at the ensuing election defeated his rival by a de-
cisive majority and in due time took charge of the office, the duties of which
he has since discharged in an eminently able and satisfactory manner.
Mr. Foresman is a man of resourceful capacity and in the management
of his private affairs as well as looking after the interests of the public
in the position he so worthily fills, has demonstrated ability of a high order.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 695
also a faithfulness to trusts which has won the confid'^nce of his fellow
citizens irrespective of party affiliation. As an otificial he is careful and
obliging, discharging the duties incumbent upon him with the same thought-
ful interest which he manifests in his business affairs, and his public career
thus far has been above criticism, comparing favorably with that of any of
his predecessors and proving him competent for any office within the gift
of the people of the county.
The married life of ]\Ir. Foresman dates from December 26, 1894, at
which time he was united in the bonds of wedlock with Clara Kurtz, daugh-
ter of Charles and Mary (Ruger) Kurtz, of Lafayette, where the father
still lives, the mother being deceased. Four children have been born to
Mr. and Mrs. Foresman, Edward Bennett, Helen Louise, William K.. and
Mary Elizabeth, the last named dying at the tender age of four years. In
his fraternal relations Mr. Foresman is a member of the Masonic brother-
hood, belonging to Shawnee Lodge No. 129, at the town of Odell, which
he has served in various ofificial capacities, and in his daily life he aims
to exemplify the beautiful and sublime principles upon which the order is
founded.
THOMAS J. CLAYTON.
The well-remembered gentleman whose name heads this brief review
was a man well liked by a coterie of hn'al friends in the city of Lafayette
and vicinity, and, since no small part of his success was due to the encour-
agement and wise counsel nf his wife, the biographer takes pleasure in pre-
senting her life record in the paragraphs that follow.
Mrs. Emeline Clayton was born in North Carolina, June 27, 1833, the
daughter of Benjamin and Martha (Rape!) Jackson, both natives of the old
Tar state, where they spent their useful and honorable lives on a farm. Of
their family of five children but two are now living, namely : John Jack-
son, now in his eighty-second year (1909). who resides with bis sister,
Emeline (Jackson-Miller) Clayton in Lafayette. The latter was educated in
her native state and was married December 19, 1850, to Benjamin T. Miller,
which union resulted in the birth of five children, all boys, of whom but three
are now living, namely: Alonzo B. Miller, who was born January 11. 1852,
is a mechanic and lives in Lafayette, being regarded as an expert in his line ;
Mortimer C. Miller, who was bom February 2S, 1858. is also a very capable
^vorkman, living in this citv. Herbert E. Miller, who was born October i;.
696 PAST AND PRESENT
1863, is also a good tradesman and makes his home in Lafayette. After the
death of lier first Imsljand. who was known as a man of thrift and honorahle
principles, Mrs. Miller was married to Thomas J. Clayton. Xo children were
born to this union.
Mrs. Clayton was reared a Methodist, but being a deep student and a
woman of contemplative mind, she has become a Spiritualist, as are also her
sons and her brother. She has lived in Lafayette since 1869, and she has
lived to note the wonderful growth of the municipality from a small village
to its present populous and prosperous condition. She has always shov.-n an
abiding interest in the welfare of the town and county of her adoption, and
her influence and judicious counsel have often been sought in the promulgation
of worthy enterprises relating to the church and charitable undertakings, as
well as socially. She is well preserved for one of her advanced years, her
mind being alert and active, and she is an interesting and instructive con-
versationalist. She has always been a close observer of the trend of the times
and has kept well abreast of the procession. She has been an excellent mother
and neighbor and her friends are limited only by her acquaintance.
JUDGE CHARLES HASKELL HENDERSON.
No representative in this biographical compendium can claim worthier
ancestors than he whose life record is briefly outlined in the following para-
graphs, for they were pioneers of the most sterling attributes, typical repre-
sentatives of that class of patriots that laid the foundation of our present
great commonwealth, leaving to us a more glorious inheritance than we are
often prone to properly consider. We first hear of Jones Henderson, who
was born in Augusta county, Virginia, in 1785. When he was seven years
old his parents, splendid types of old-time southern chivalry, moved to Mont-
gomery county, Kentucky^ where they established a new home amid primitive
conditions. In 1816 Jones Henderson married Margaret Smith, a native of
Montgomery county, Kentucky. She was of German descent, her mother
having been born on the Atlantic ocean while on a voyage to America. Mar-
garet Smith was born in 1800. Jones Henderson was of Scotch-Irish par-
entage. While he resided in the state of Kentucky, he was the owner of
slaves, but in time he became an abolitionist, freed his women slaves and sold
the men. He moved to Indiana in 1834, making the trip overland in wagons
while the country was still covered with woods and swamps and the roads in
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 697
marked contrast to our present turnpikes — in fact, the roads became impas-
sible at Jamestown, Boone county, Indiana, and the wagons were abandoned,
the parents and their ten children coming on to Tippecanoe county on foot
and horseback. Thus, footsore and weary, they made their advent into this
county in wintry weather when the outlook was anything but encouraging ;
but, being people of heroic mould, they regarded hardships in a different
manner than we of the present generation, and they set to work with a will,
soon having the nucleus to a home, which they later made comfortable and
prospered by reason of hard toil and good management. After their arrival
here they spent the following winter in a cabin on the Conly farm, living
there until March, 1835. I" ^^^ meantime they purchased the farm west of
the county poor farm, containing two hundred acres, which is now owned
by Judge Charles Haskell Henderson, the old pioneer's grandson. Jones
Henderson and wife became the parents of twelve children, namely : Addi-
son, Martha, John M., Joseph W., Louisa E., Susan M., Mary G., Andrew
C, Henry O., Lewis M., James M., and Alexander H., the three last named
having been born in Indiana. Descended from these there are forty-two grand-
children living, one hundred and forty-six great-grandchildren, and ninety-
three great-great-grandchildren, also three great-great-great-grandchildren.
Charles Haskell Henderson is the son of Addison and Nancy (Clark)
Henderson. Nancy Clark was born in Guernsey county, Ohio. With her
parents, Joseph and Elizabeth (Albin) Clark, she moved to Blackford county,
Indiana, where the parents spent the remainder of their lives. Joseph Clark
was a native of Pennsylvania. Elizabeth Albin was born in Virginia, her
father having served in the Revolutionary war and was the owner at his death
of over four hundred acres of good land.
Addison Henderson was a hard-working and prosperous farmer. He
was for many years a justice of the peace, but, unlike many who have held
that office, he nearly always remitted his fees and endeavored to settle most
of his cases amicably if possible. He was an honorable and highly respected
citizen in his community.
Charles Haskell Henderson grew up on the home farm, where he laid
the foundation for a robust manhood by assisting with the work about the
place. Being ambitious to secure an education, he entered Purdue University
when seventeen years of age, taking the scientific course, in which he made
an excellent record, graduating from that institution in 1883. He early in
life began the study of law and was admitted to the bar in 1885 and has been
practicing in Lafayette ever since, holding high rank among the members of
the local bar. He was city judge of Lafayette from 1888 to 1902. during
090 PAST AND PRESENT
which period he very ably and satisfactorily attended to the duties of this
important office, winning the approbation of not only his constituents but also
many of other political affiliations. The Judge is a Republican in politics. He
gives considerable attention to his fine farm, which is kept highly improved
and from which no small part of the Judges recreation and pleasure is de-
rived. Personally, he is sociable, generous and obliging, consequently is liked
by all classes.
THO^IAS W. HOGAN.
Tlie people of this name in Lafayette are descended from a good old
Irish family of the kind well known in the first age of internal improve-
ments and who proved great factors in the development of the nation's natural
resources. The founders of the Indiana branch of Hogans left their native
county of Limerick. Ireland, about 1840 and became contractors in building
the Erie canal. Following the line of internal improvement toward the
West, they eventually reached Indiana in 1845, when the rage for develop-
ment was at its height. In fact, the T. Hogan & Company Boat Line was
well known to all who patronized the canal system from the Ohio to the
Wabash. James Hogan, son of the original immigrants, was about eight
years old when they came to America. He was an active business man,
among his other ventures being that of a grain buyer, and he died August
25, 1865. In early manhood he married Helen AlcCardle, by whom he had
seven children. Thomas W. Hogan, one of the three of these children
that is still living, was born at Lafayette. Indiana. January 11, 1850. He
attended the old Southern public school and was sufficiently proficient to
reach the eightli grade at the age of fifteen. After his father's death he
went to work for the E. T. McFarland Drug Company at three dollars a
week. He was, however, too bright and industrious a boy to remain long
at that figure and it was hardly six months before we find him getting
an increase in salary. When IMcFarland sold his store to Tinney. Mr.
Hogan continued with the latter as travelling salesman at one hundred dol-
lars per month until 1887, when he bought the business. In 1905 The
Hogan Drug Company was organized, with Thomas W. Hogan. president;
A\'. J. Hogan. vice-president, and John T. Hogan. secretary and treasurer.
Mr. Hogan is active in many ways in the social and industrial life of Lafay-
ette, influential in political and religious mo\-ements. and altogether a citi-
zen of vahie in all the walks of life. He is one of the self-made men who
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 699
has a right to be proud of the job and the jump from three dollars to pros-
perity, and even affluence, fully displays his energy, industry and indomit-
able resolution to succeed. In politics he is an independent Democrat, and
was chairman of the gold Democratic committee for the tenth district in
1896. He is one of the few Democrats chosen to represent the fourth ward
in Lafayette, which is usually overwhelmingly Republican, and it was a
flattering recognition of his business ability that caused him to be made
chairman of the finance committee. j\Ir. Hogan is a stockholder in the
Lafayette Loan and Trust Company, the Merchants' National Bank, the
Henry Taylor Lumber Company, the Rexal Drug Company of Boston, the
Lafayette Horse Sales Company and is developing a ranch which he owns
in the West. Twenty-three years ago he built a residence at 313 Perrin
avenue, in which he has ever since made his home. He is a charter member
of the Indiana Travelling Men's Association, a member of the Lafayette
lodge of Elks and of St. Mary's Catholic church.
September 18, 1877, Mr. Hogan married Anna Shaughnessy, a descend-
ant of Irish parents, by whom he has four children; John T. served as a
member of Company C, One Hundred Sixtieth Indiana Regiment, during
the Spanish-American war. He attended the Purdue School of Pharmacy
and is now a partner of his father in the drug company. Alice M., Mr.
Hogan's eldest daughter, graduated in the high school and married Walter
Hunzicker. William J. was graduated in the Purdue School of Pharmacy in
1906 and is a partner of his father in the drug company. Harriet B., the
youngest of the family, is a student of domestic science at Purdue.
SAMUEL THOMAS STALLARD.
For a number of years an honored citizen and representative business
man of Lafayette, Samuel T. Stallard belongs to that class of public-spirited
men, who, while advancing individual prosperity, promote the public good
and give a hearty and generous support to those measures and utilities which
make for the progress of the community, the county and the state. A
member of one of the leading law firms of Tippecanoe county and with a
reputation far beyond the circumscribed limits of the field to which in the
main his practice is confined, he has stamped the impress of his individuality
upon the minds of those with whom his business has brought him into re-
lations and made his influence felt as a leader of tbousfht and moulder
700 PAST AND PRESENT
of opinion at a bar which has long been distinguished for the learning, pro-
fessional ability and high personal standing of its members.
Mr. Stallard is a native of Monroe county, Indiana, born in the city of
Bloomington, November 7, 1841, being a son of Rev. Jacob M. and Maria
L. (Beswick) Stallard, the father a Tennessean by birth and one of the
ablest and best known Methodist divines of his day in the Central West,
the mother, a native of Indiana and likewise of Methodist parentage and
training. Rev. Jacob M. Stallard was brought to Indiana when a child and
continued a resident of same during the remainder of his life. Entering
the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church in his young manhood, he
made rapid advancement in his sacred office, served a number of circuits and
stations in different parts of the state and by reason of his ability in the pul-
pit and remarkable success as an organizer he was in due time promoted to
the important position of presiding elder, being up to the time of his ap-
pointment the youngest minister in the state to be thus honored. As a
preacher Rev. Stallard had few equals and no superiors in the West during
the years of his activity and usefulness and today among the most flourish-
ing and aggressive churches in Tippecanoe and other counties are the ones
he planted during his early ministerial labors. He came to Lafayette in
1843, from which time until his death he was intimately associated with re-
ligious work in this section of the state, and few Methodist divines became
as widely known or accomplished as much in disseminating the principles
and doctrines peculiar to the church of which he was long regarded as one
of the strongest and most popular representatives. He had a passion for
the cause in which he was engaged, labored unselfishly and enthusiastically
for the good of his fellow men, hundreds of whom, through his able and elo-
quent ministrations, were induced to abandon the paths of sin and seek the nar-
row way that leads to life and happiness. Rev. Stallard is remembered as a
preacher of remarkable ability and power, clear and explicit in statement,
logical and convincing in reasoning and, possessing to a marked degree the
talents and graces of oratory, he frequently rose to the heights of impas-
sioned eloquence and never failed to hold the attention of the most critical
and exacting audiences, being in his prime a master of assemblages and the
peer of any of his contemporaries in all that constituted forensic ability
and force. After a long and useful career, devoted to the service of his
Master, this able and fearless champion of the cross laid down the weapon
of warfare and entered into the rest which is prepared for those who
persevere to the end, dying in Lafayette, in 1893, at the ripe old age of
eighty years, his first wife preceding him to the Silent Land in 1850. Of
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. ,TOI
their family of seven children, but two are living at this time, Robert J.,
a resident of Lafayette, and Samuel T., whose name introduces this review;
James P., Cyrus O., William A. and Robert J., the deceased members of
the family, grew to maturity. By a second marriage there were five off-
spring, four of whom survive, a daughter, now Mrs. Ann Davisson, be-
ing the only one living in Lafayette.
Samuel T. Stallard spent his childhood and youth at the various places
Where his father preached and after receiving a preliminary education in the
public schools, entered the Danville Academy, which he attended until the
breaking out of the great Civil war interfered with his studies. Actuated
by the patriotic motives which moved the loyal sons of the North, he dis-
continued his scholastic work in April, 1861, and enlisting in Company A,
Fifteenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he gave three
of the best years of his life to the service of his country. During this
period he shared with his comrades all the duties and dangers through which
his regiment passed, taking part in a number of noted engagements and
skirmishes, including the battles of Rich Mountain, Elk Water and Green
Brier in western Virginia, and later was with his command at Murfrees-
boro, Champion Hill and Missionary Ridge, in the Tennessee campaign,
receiving a gunshot wound in the right thigh in the engagement last named,
which caused him great suffering. Upon his recovery, in June, 1864, he
was discharged from the service, w'ith a record for brave and meritorious
conduct of which any soldier might well feel proud, and returned to Lafay-
ette immediately thereafter.
Mr. Stallard, on April 30, 1867, entered the marriage relation with
Mary Littleton, whose birth occurred at Middletown, Ohio, but who was
brought to Indiana by her parents when quite young, the family settling
in Tippecanoe county about the year 1846. Of the three children born of
this union, two, a son and a daughter, are living, the older, Charles T.,
being a practicing attorney of Lafayette and associated with his father
under the firm name of Stallard & Stallard, one of the best known and
successful law partnerships in the city. Sadye. the daughter, married Harley
A. Johnson, master mechanic of the Metropolitan Elevated Railroad of
Chicago, and resides in that city, both being graduates of Purdue Univer-
sity.
Mr. Stallard has been an honored citizen of Lafayette nearly all of
his life and it is needless to state that his interest in the growth of the city
and the promotion of its various utilities and enterprises has brought him
prominently to the front as a public spirited man of affairs. For twentv-
702 PAST AND PRESENT
five years he was attorney of West Lafayette and, in connection with his
profession, he has from time to time been identified with various measures
making for the material progress of the city and the best interests of its
populace, including among others, the \\'est Lafayette Building and Loan
Association, in the organization of which he took a leading part and for
twenty-eight vears he has held the office of secretary and treasurer. In
politics he is a Republican and has long been a power in local and general
affairs, contributing to the success of his party by his wise and judicious
advice, as well as by his activity as a worker and leader. The family of
which he is a creditable representati\e is a prominent and long-established
one in Lafayette and has ever stood for honorable manhood, sterling citi-
zenship and all that makes for correct living and high social status. His
own life record is unclouded by wrong or suspicion of evil and, having always
clung to whatever is of good repute, his name is regarded by those with
whom he mingles as a synonym of upright and straightforward conduct.
Charles T. Stallard. junior member of the law firm of Stallard & Son,
the older of the two living children of Samuel T. and Mary E. (Lit-
tleton) Stallard. was born in Lafayette. Lidiana. June 28. 1872. He re-
ceived his early educational discipline in the city schools, later attended Pur-
due University until completing the course and having decided to enter
the legal profession, prepared himself for the same by close and critical
study under the direction of his father. Mr. Stallard was admitted to the
bar in 1893 and the same year became associated with his father, under
the name of Stallard & Son, a firm as widely known in legal circles as any
other in the city of Lafayette and eminently successful, as indicated by the
large and steady growing practice. In his professional work, Mr. Stallard
is careful and painstaking, loyal to the interests of his clients, a safe and
reliable counselor, and in the trial of causes he has sustained his high repu-
tation as an attorney when opposed by some of the oldest and strongest mem-
bers of the Lafayette bar. His career thus far presents a series of successes
and, judging from his advancement in the past, his friends are justified
in predicting for him a future of still greater promise and usefulness. For
five ye^irs Mr. Stallard has l^een attorne\- for the incorporated town of
West Lafayette and for a period of ten years he held the office of town
clerk, discharging the duties of both positions with credit to himself and to
the satisfaction of the public. He is also the secretary and treasurer of the
West Lafayette Loan Association, the success of which is largely due to
his efforts, and for some time past he has been a member of the board of
trustees of the Young Men's Christian Association, besides ser\-ing the same
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 7O3
very acceptably as general secretary and physical director, having been con-
nected with the association and one of the most active and influential mem-
bers of the association since 1889. He belongs to Purdue Grove. No. 18,
United Ancient Order of Druids, having passed all of the chairs of the local
lodge and served as an officer in the grand lodge of the state. He is also
a member of the Masonic order. He is a Republican in politics and in reli-
gion he subscribes to the Methodist creed, holding membership with the
West Side Methodist Episcopal church of which he is a trustee.
Mr. Stallard was married June 14, 1904, to Henrietta j\I. Cassman.
daughter of Oliver H. Cassman, of Lafayette, the union resulting in the
birth of two children, Oliver E. and Marietta E., both bright and interest-
ing and adding greatly to the happiness and content of the domestic circle.
Mrs. Stallard, like her husband, is a Methodist in belief and an esteemed
member of the West Side church, being interested in the various lines of
work connected with the organization and in charitable enterprises of what-
ever name or order.
K. T. VYVERBERG. D. O.
The science of osteopathy has of recent years made rapid headway, and
the practitioners of this somewhat exacting profession are finding them-
selves in the front rank of men of science and the learned professions, with
their patronage rapidly growing. The name that heads this biographical re-
view is a well known one in this class and also one that stands for progress
in all lines in Tippecanoe county.
Dr. K. T. Vyverberg. the noted osteopathic physician of Lafayette.
Lidiana, is a native of Sherrill, Iowa, having first seen the light of day there
on September 27, 1877, the son of John and Caroline Vyverberg, being the
third child in order of birth in a family of eight children. He was reared
on the farm and assisted with the various duties incident to agricultural pur-
suits in the great farming belt of the Hawkeye state, and there he laid the
foundation for a healthful lx)dy and an active mind. He attended the district
schools during the winter months until he completed the course. He then
entered the high school at Dubuque, Iowa, from which he was graduated. He
then returned to the farm and for several years devoted his attention to farm
work, but on Jan^lary i, 1901, he gave way to a desire of long standing to
enter the American School of Osteopathy at Kirksville, Missouri, and after
pursuing a course of two years, during which time he made a verv com-
704 PAST AND PRESENT
mendable record, he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Osteopathy.
Doctor \'yverberg at once located in Lafayette, Indiana, in the old Mil-
ford block, at the corner of Fourth and Ferry streets, and later moved to
No. 651 Main street, where he is now located. In the fall of igoC) he re-
entered the institution from which he had graduated, taking a one-year post-
graduate course, which placed him at the top of his profession. He now has
a liberal patronage by the people of Lafayette and surrounding country.
The Doctor was happily married to Nellie Hubbard, daughter of George
and Sarah Hubbard, the representative of an excellent family of Lafayette,
and to this union two children have been born, namely: Margaret C, born
January 15, 1906, and George H., born November g, 1907.
In his fraternal relations. Doctor Vyverberg is a member of the Knights
of Pvthias, Lodge No. 72, Kirksville, Missouri, also the Atlas Club at Kirks-
ville, Missouri, and in his church relations he supports the Presbyterian de-
nomination, being a member of the local church and a faithful attendant upon
the same.
Doctor Vyverberg passed an examination in accordance with state law
in Iowa in February, 1903, and in September of the same year he passed a
like examination before the state board of Indiana, he being the first osteo-
path to pass the examination in Indiana. He is a member of both the Indiana
and American Osteopathic associations, having served as secretary of the first
named.
HARRY C. SENSE.
The well-known contractor and progressive business man whose name
introduces this biographical review and who has for many years been one of
the leading representatives of the building trades in Tippecanoe county, is a
descendant of an old and highly honored family, members of which have
figured effectively in the affairs of northern Indiana since the pioneer days.
Harrv C. Sense was born in Clinton county. Indiana, on July 16. 1866. He
is the son of William H. and Susan (Guthrie) Sense, the former a native of
Tippecanoe county, and the latter was born in Clinton county, this state.
They were the parents of eleven children (li\'ing). one daughter dying in in-
fancy, the family consisting of six sons and five daughters. Elmer F.. the
oldest son, was born in Clinton county, Indiana ; he married Eva Harve\-. of
^Vabash township, and they are the parents of one son. Floyd. John E.
married Lulu Carnes, of Lafayette, and they are the parents of two sons.
HARRY C. SENSE
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. JO$
Glen and Paul. Clarence married Elda (jarman, of Mulberry, this county.
Harvey G. married Anna Jacoby, of Clinton county, and tliey are the parents
of one son. Clifford. Ottis G. married Miss Gasman, of Lafayette, and they
have two sons. The daughters of William H. and Susan Sense are Dora
A., married to Charles Wakeman and reside in Millersburg, Indiana; Ella
married Henry Haag and they reside in West Lafayette; Ada B. married
T. \V. Lugar and reside in West Lafayette; Jessie married Robert Foster,
of West Lafayette. Ida, at home.
Harry C. Sense spent his early life at home and received a fairly good
common school education. Early in 1891 he married Emma V. Click, who
lived near Mulberry, Indiana, where her family was long well established.
This union has resulted in the birth of two daughters, Hazel C. and Fairy
C. ; also one son, Harlan Ray.
Mr. Sense early in life decided to become a carpenter and builder by
trade and he set to work to learn the same, with the result that he has become
one of the most skillful workmen in this locality. Two of his brothers, who
became stone-masons, and one who learned carpentry, worked with him in
partnership, and they incorporated for the purpose of contracting and man-
ufacturing in 1904 under the firm name of Sense Brothers Company, and
ever since they have grown in the volume of business they carry on until
this is one of the important firms of Tippecanoe county, doing an extensive
business throughout this and adjoining counties. About 1906 they began
the manufacture of cement blocks. In the fall of that year and in the spring
of 1907 they added a planing mill and lumber yard, and in 1909 another de-
partment was added — tin and galvanized iron. Their business in all these
departments has steadily grown and the future outlook for the firm is de-
cidedly encouraging. They have handled some large jobs and their work
has always been eminently satisfactory, owing to their skill and the high
grade material they use, together with their strict honesty in dealing with
the public.
Members of this family all grew up in Tippecanoe county and the
brothers began making preparation to learn useful trades, and while working
on the farm which their father rented they often discussed the various phases
of the building trades. This farm was located in Perry township, near
Monitor.
Their father, William H. Sense, started a tile factory about. 1881 or 1882
on the farm which he worked, but he sold the tile factory about 1883 and
moved to Wabash township, north of Octagon, buying a tile factory there
which he managed successfullv for four or fi\-e vears. then sold it and pur-
(45)
7o6 PAST AND PRESENT
chased a farm in the same township. Then Harry C. Sense went to Mul-
berry and began learning the carpenter trade. After working at this trade
for two years he began contracting in a small way and, seeking a larger field
for his operations, he came to Lafayette, where he has since continued with
unabated success.
Mr. Sense is a man of excellent business ability, exercising rare sound-
ness of judgment and foresight and the fact that he has built up an extensive
and well patronized business from a very small beginning is evidence of his
industry and integrity.
FRANK KIMMEL.
Frank Kimmel, prosecuting attorney of the twenty-third judicial dis-
trict and one of the leading members of the Lafayette bar, is a native of
Tippecanoe county, Indiana, and a son of John and Tinnie (Newman) Kim-
mel, the father born in Germany, but since childhood a resident of the
county of Tippecanoe, where he is now engaged in business.
Louis Kimmel, the subject's grandfather, was reared in the old country,
but when his son John was about four years old immigrated to the L'nited
States and settled at Lafayette, Indiana, where he engaged in business and
in due time became one of the influential men of the city. At the breaking
out of the Civil war, he went to the front as captain of a company recruited
in Lafayette and served in that capacity until the cessation of hostilities.
Later, in 1871-72, 1877-78-79-80, he was elected mayor and held the office
with great credit. During the administration of President Benjamin Harri-
son, Captain Kimmel was assistant United States marshal, with headquar-
ters at Washington, D. C, and he was also in the government service for
some time in Alaska, besides filling various other official posts. After a
long and eminently useful career, Captain Kimmel discontinued active pur-
suits and for some years past has been living a life of honorable retirement
in the national capital, having reached the ripe old age of eighty-twD
years, but retaining to a marked degree the possession of his faculties, both
physical and mental.
John Kimmel, father of the subject, has spent all but four years of
his life in Lafayette and in point of continuous service is one of the city's
oldest and most enterprising business men. He has been engaged in the
book and stationery business for over thirty-five }ears, during which time
he has built up a flourishing establishment and in the lines of goods iiandled
TIPPECANOE COUNTYj IND. 70jr
commands the largest patronage in the city. For a number of j-ears he has
been active in promoting the progress of the community, served on the
county committee from 1885 to 1890, inclusive, and has always manifested
a lively interest in those measures and enterprises having for their object
the good of his fellowmen.
John and Tinnie Kimmel are the parents of three children, the sub-
ject being the oldest of the family; Estella, the second of the number, is still
at home, and John, Jr., the youngest, is assistant division engineer of the
Missouri Pacific Railroad, with headquarters at Little Rock, Arkansas.
Frank Kimmel, whose birth occurred at Lafayette, on May 25, 1876,
was reared in his native city and, after finishing the course of the graded
schools, entered Purdue University, where he pursued his literary studies for
a period of two and one-half years, when he became a student of the law
department of the University of Michigan. Entering the latter institution
in 1898, he applied himself diligently until completing the prescribed course
and receiving his degree in 1901, following which he practiced law one year
in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and then returned to Lafayette, where he soon
built up a lucrative professional business. He served five years as United
States commissioner and in 1908 was elected prosecuting attorney of the
twenty-third judicial circuit, for a term of four years, the duties of which
position he has since discharged with commendable ability, proving a very
capable and judicious ofificial, earnest and untiring in his efforts to uphold
the dignity of the law and bring the violators to the bar of justice, though
not lacking in the elements of sympathy and charity in cases where circum-
stances rather than intentions lead to the commission of crime.
Mr. Kimmel is well grounded in the principles of jurisprudence and
stands today among the leading lawyers at a bar which from the beginning
has enjoyed wide reputation for the commanding ability of its members. In
the trial cases he is careful and easily perceives the weak points in the po-
sition of his adversaries and before courts and juries frequently wins ver-
dicts by clear, cogent argument, which at times rises to the impassioned and
eloquent, but always logical and convincing. Mr. Kimmel is a Republican
and as such has rendered valuable services to his party in a number of
campaigns, being wise in council, judicious in leadership and an untiring
and influential worker. Capt. Louis Kimmel, his grandfather, was one of
the original Republicans of Indiana and a leader in the organization of the
party in Tippecanoe county, all of his male descendants being loyal to the
principles which he espoused and among the most active and influential local
politicians in the city of Lafavette.
708 PAST AND PRESENT
Mr. Kimniel has one of the finest collections of law books in the
city and when not otherwise engaged finds his greatest pleasure in poring
over their contents, thus adding to his legal lore and fitting himself for
greater efficiency in his chosen field of endeavor. His acquaintance with
the world's best literature is also general and profound and his library large
and carefully selected. Socially, he belongs to the Lincoln Club, a popular
political organization composed of the leading young Republicans of Lafay-
ette; he is also identified with the Lafayette Club and holds membership
with Lodge No. 143, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
ALBERT R. JAMISON.
Albert R. Jamison, of the mercantile house of Jamison Brothers, La-
fayette, is a native of Tippecanoe county, Indiana, born in the township of
Tippecanoe on June 25, 1847. John W. Jamison, his father, was a Kentuckian
by birth, and his mother, who bore the maiden name of Prudence Wright, was
born in Maryland. These parents became residehts of Tippecanoe county
as early perhaps as 1832 and were married in Tippecanoe township, where
their respective families located on moving to their new home, in what was
then a somewhat wild and undeveloped country. John W. Jamison died
]March 28, 1876, at the age of fifty years, and his wife died September 21.
1903.
Of the eleven children born to John W. Jamison and his wife Prudence
all but one are living, their names being, in order of birth, as follows :
Albert R., of this review; James W. ; George A.; Oliver P.; Charles B. ;
Anna, widow of John N. Jackson; Nancy M., wife of Sylvester Jackson;
Belle Zora ; Clarence F. and Frank B. Four of the brothers are associated in
the mercantile business, under the firm name of Jamison Brothers, viz. : Al-
bert R., George A., Charles B. and Clarence F., the house of w-hich they are
the head being the largest of the kind in Lafayette and one of the most
successful in the state.
The mercantile business conducted by this well known and popular firm
was established November 5, 1879, by Albert R. Jamison, who, w-ith about
four hundred dollars capital, began in a modest way to deal in hardware,
harness, etc., and it was not long until his trade w-as such as to render
necessary the enlargement of the facilities, his patronage from the first far
surpassing his expectations. Increasing the stock to meet the demand of
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 709
his patrons and from time to time adding to tlie nnmber of tiis salesmen, he
kept pace with the city's advancement in mercantile interests, until within a
few years his store became one of the most successful of its kind in the
city and gave him prestige in business circles, here and elsewhere. Without
following in detail the rise and subsequent development of this large and
far-reaching enterprise, suffice it to say that during the first twelve years the
business grew so rapidly in volume and importance that at the expiration
of the period indicated it was deemed prudent to increase the capital and
perfect a more thorough organization. Accordingly, on December i, 1891,
the company was incorporated, with a capital of twenty-six thousand dollars
and given the name of Jamison Brothers, by which it has since been desig-
nated, the subject's three younger brothers having become partners in the
meantime. Since the latter date the progress of the firm has been un-
impeded and its success most gratifying, as the present flourishing condi-
tion abundantly attests, the invoiced stock on January i. 1909. amounting
to. fifty-eight thousand, nine hundred and seventy dollars and the standing
of the firm all that the proprietors or their friends could reasonably desire.
The Jamison Brothers carry full and heavy lines of general hardware,
harness, carriages, buggies and other vehicles, agricultural implements and
machinery and various other articles, the building in which the business is
conducted being admirably arranged and equipped and, to keep pace with
the demands of the trade, a force of fourteen men in the various depart-
ments is required. The building up of such a large and satisfactory busi-
ness bespeaks sound judgment and ability of a high order, both of which,
with other admirable characteristics, are possessed by the senior member,
to whom is due much of the success which the firm has attained and which
it now enjoys. He is a man of large executive capacity, thoroughly versed
in the multifarious principles of the lines of business to which the greater
part of his life has been devoted and. as already indicated, he occupies a
position of prominence and influence among the leading merchants of La-
fayette, as well as a place in the front rank of the county's representative
citizens. He h.is all the distinctive American mterest in public afifairs. is in
full sympathy with the spirit of the times and for many years has been
active in promoting the material progress of the city and the local and moral
advancement of his fellowmen. Like his honored father, he gives consid-
erable attention to political matters and votes the Republican ticket, but
his business has been of such a character as to prevent him from becoming
a politician or aspiring to the honors and emoluments of office.
7IO PAST AND PRESENT
The married life of Air.' Jamison dates from September 30. 1869, at
which time he was united in the bonds of wedlock with Zelina M. Pierce,
of Tippecanoe county, Indiana, the union being blessed with five children,
viz: Fred W., a travelling salesman, living in Lafayette; Alpha P., a
professor in the engineering department of Purdue University; Charles R.,
imnager of a department of the Berger Manufacturing Company of Can-
ton, Ohio; Olive M., wife of Richard Williams, of Indianapolis, and Mabel
P., now Mrs. Dean K. Chadbourne, of West Lafayette. Mr. Jamison has
always been a friend of higher education and it is a matter of no little grati-
fication and pride for him to know that all of his children received their
training in Purdue and earned honorable records in their respective classes.
In his religious belief he is a Baptist, as are all the members of his family,
and for a number of years himself and wife have been esteemed members
of the First church of that faith in the city of his residence.
DANIEL P. FLANAGAN.
For ten years a member of the Tippecanoe county bar, Daniel P.
Flanagan not only ranks among the leading lawyers of the city in which
he resides, but has also won an honorable place among the distinguished
lawyers of his native state. In no profession is there a career more open
to talent than in that of the law and in no field of endeavor is there demanded
a more careful preparation, a more thorough appreciation of the ethics of
life or of the underlying principles which form the basis of all human
rights and privileges. Unflagging application, intuitive wisdom and a de-
termination fully to utilize the means at hand are the concomitants which in-
sure success and prestige in this great profession which stands as the stern
conservator of justice, and it is a calling into which none should enter
without a recognition of the obstacles to be overcome and the battles to be
won, for success and distinction come only as the legitimate reult of capacity
and unmistaken ability. Such elements have entered into the successful
career of Mr. Flanagan, who, though not so long in the practice as some
of his contemporaries, has attained a high standing at the local bar and else-
where and is accounted one of the most successful practitioners in the city
of his residence.
A native of Tippecanoe county, Indiana. Mr. Flanagan was born in
Lafavette on the 4th of March, 1876, and is the sixth of the nine living chil-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 71 1
dren of Patrick and j\Iary (Ryan) Flanagan, natives of Ireland. These
paren.ts were born, reared and married in county Limerick and shortly after
the birth of their eldest son, immigrated to the United States, coming almost
direct to Tippecanoe county, where Michael Flanagan, a brother of Patrick,
was then living and where four of the latter's children still reside. The
family of Patrick and Mary Flanagan at this time consists of the follow-
ing sons and daughters: David, the only one born in the old country;
Margaret, who married Charles Stefifen; Kate, wife of Timothy Sullivan;
Bridget, now Mrs. James T. Martin; John, Daniel P., Patrick. Jr., Michael,
and Mary, who is the wife of John Dolman, the subject being the only mem-
ber of the family to enter professional life.
Daniel P. Flanagan was educated in St. Ann parochial school and the
Union Business College of Lafayette and studied law under the direction
of Will R. Wood, in whose office he continued until his admission to the
bar in 1899. In that year he engaged in the practice at Lafayette and in due
time gained recognition as an able, energetic and honorable attorney, with
the result that his business continued to grow until he found himself on the
high road to professional and financial success. During the first three
vears he built up a large and lucrative practice, and in November, 1902,
he was nominated and elected prosecuting attorney of ihe twenty-third judi-
cial circuit, making the race as a Republican and defeating his Democratic
competitor by a handsome maojrity. His own ward, which was nominally
Democratic by a majority of two hundred and fifty, cast two hundred and
seventeen votes more for him than for his rival, and in 1904, when he stood
for re-election, he received in the same ward a majority of two hundred and
twelve, the largest vote given a Republican candidate in that part of the
city in fifty years.
Mr. Flanagan's growing success in the general practice enabled him to
enter upon his official duties with assurance of success, and it is freelv admit-
ted that the district has never had an abler or more energetic and faithful
prosecutor. Unremitting in his efiforts to enforce the law and mete out
justice to ofifenders, he brought many to trial and secured their conviction
and during his incumbency of four years his name became a terror to the
criminal classes, and infractions of the law were less frequent, until reduced
to the lowest minimum in the history of the circuit.
Since his retirement from the ofifice of prosecutor, Mr. Flanagan has
devoted himself closely to his constantly increasing general practice and now^
commands a very extensive business which is as successful financially as pro-
fessionally. From the beginning his patronage steadilv grew as he demon-
712 PAST AND PRESENT
strated his ability to handle with masterful skill the intricate problems oi
jurisprudence and he now has a large and representative clientele which
connects him with some of the most important litigation in the courts of
his own and other counties. In addition to his activity and advancement in
his profession, he has also been an influential factor in politics, being recog-
nized as an able exponent of the principles of the Republican party. With
the exception of the office of prosecuting attorney, lie has held no public
positions, but in campaign years he labors as earnestly for his party's candi-
date as he would for himself.
Mr. Flanagan is a married man. his wife having formerly been Mary
J. Straitman, a native of Lafayette, and a daughter of William and Frances
Straitman, the father a mechanic and well known resident of this city, dying
several vears ago. In his religious belief Mr. Flanagan is a Catholic; he
was born and reared in the mother church and has never . faltered in his
loyalty to its teaching, being at this time a member of St. Ann's parish,
under the pastorate of Rev. M. J. Byrne, and an earnest worker in its various
lines of activitv. Mrs. Flanagan is also identifiecl with the same church.
Fraternally, the subject holds membership with the Benevolent and Protective
Order of Elks, the Independent Order of Red Men, the Ancient Order of
Hibernians, the Catholic Order of Foresters, and the Lafayette Club, a social
organization made up of the leading young men of tlie city. Mr. Flanagan
is public-spirited in .all the term implies, has ever l)een interested in enter-
prises tending to promote the general welfare and withholds his support from
no movement for the good of the city, county or state. His personal rela-
tions with his fellowmen have ever been mutually pleasant and agreeable, and
lie is highly regarded socially, being easily approachable and a good mixer.
WILLIAM KIXG ROCHESTER.
W^illiam King Rochester, to whom Lafayette was largely indebted for
its growth and enterprise before the Ci\il war. was born May 3. 1822, id
Columbus, Ohio. His ancestry traces back to 1558. when the family was
allowed or confirmed the coat of arms described in the Heralds visitations
of the counties of Kent and Essex. England, as "Or a fesse between three
cresents sa." Nicholas Rochester, born in 1640, in the county of Kent,
England, emigrated in 1689 to the colony of Virginia, bringing his wife and
son William. He bought a plantation bordering Westmoreland and Rich-
THE ROCHESTER PLACE
^£:^^.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 713
niond counties; his descendants lived there into the nineteentli centun-. tlie
last being Jeremiah Rochester, grandfather of Wilham King Rochester.
His fatlier, Ximrod Rochester, was born on the old homestead, still stand-
ing in excellent condition with the initials "W. R. 1746" cut in a broad
brick in the chimney corner, the home of William Rochester, father of Jere-
miah and grandson of Nicholas. In 181 7. Xinu-od Rochester, in company
with Thomas Howe, came north to Chiilicothe, Ohio, and on December 2Cth
was united in marriage to Jane King, whose family in the beginning of the
century had moved there from Burlington county. New Jersey. They went
to Columbus. Ohio, to li\e and there their seven children v-ere horn. mm;lv.
William. Mary. Sarah. Jeremiah. Hannah Jane, Ximrud and Geiirge. 'Sir.
Rochester returned but unce to \'irginia. at the time of his father's death,
in 1827. He and his son Jeremiah died of cholera, during the epidemic in
Augiist, 1833. Three years l?ter George King, Esq., of Chillic-the, brought
his sister and her children to Lafayette where relatives had preceded them.
In 1836 Mrs. Rochester bought the home on Fourth street, opposite the
little church where Henry Ward Beecher preached. William King Rochester
later had his own residence built on the site of his mother's cottage. At an
early age he was able to undertake the support of his mnther's fatnily. He
continued his education with pri\ate instructors and in a few years sent his
younger sisters to Wesleyan C( Ilege at Cincinnati, Ohio, where Sarah Ro-
chester and Lucy \\'ebb. afterwards wjfe of President Rutherford Hayes.
were room-mates. Mr. Rochester's talents as a business man were employetl
chiefly in buying and selling real estate. He was a director of the first Ijank
organized in Lafayette, the Branch of the State Bank of Indiana. In politics,
Mr. Rochester was an active member of the ^^'hig party, and in 1851. while
chairman of the county central committee, was jnit forward bv them as can-
didate for congress, but he afterwards withdrew from tlie race. In 18^8.
being desirous to have certain beneticiary legislation enacted, he became a
candidate for state senator. The election resulting in a tie, a special election
was held in which his Democratic o])|X)nent won.
On .April 5. 1854. Mr. Rochester married Madeline DuTiel. a descend-
ant of Charles Francis DuTiel, a royalist, who in 17Q0 was compelled to
flee from France to escape the revolutionists, and together with a number
of compatriots came to .America and were deeded by this government a
large tract of land in Scioto county, Ohio, called the French Grant. They
founded the city of Gallipolis, Ohio.
W^illiam King Rochester died May 23. 1862. The following, copied
from an editorial in the l.afaycttc Courier at the time of his death, shows the
esteem in which he was held by his contemporaries:
714 PAST AND PRESENT
"\V. K. Rochester, Esq., whose serious iUness we announced yesterday,
expired fifteen minutes to twelve today. The deceased was just forty years
old. in the prime of his life, and we speak the universal sentiment at large
in recording his untimely end as a great calamity to Lafayette. That in-
domitable energA' which was his distinguished characteristic, united to a
vigor of mind and a practical business capacity, made success in all his un-
dertakings a foregone conclusion and as the result of active application ex-
tending through a period of twenty-five years, he had acquired a large amount
of property and was on the high road to wealth and independence. Contrary
to a general rule and in vindication of his nobility of soul, his heart ex-
panded with his prosperity, and many a poor family in Lafayette today
mourns the loss of a friend and benefactor; cheap homes for the homeless,
was the philanthropic idea which inspired his enterprise. The neat, com-
fortable homesteads which, counted by the hundreds, grace his several addi-
tions to the city, as well as the public movements with which he was identi-
fied, are enduring monuments and will keep green his memory for many
years to come."
Mr. Rochester was survived by his wife and three daughters : Mary,
born April 4, 1862, died April 19. 1867; Ada. born June 23. 1856, married
February 20, 1892, to Judge Albert Duy Thomas, of Crawfordsville ; Eliza-
beth, born June 22, 1858. married July 13, 1881, to Samuel Probasco Baird;
Mrs. Baird died May 27. 1903. at Berne, Switzerland, and is survived by
Mr. Baird and their son. Rochester Baird. born September 19, 1882, now
one of the younger members of the Lafayette bar. Mrs. William King
Rochester died August 27, 1901.
WILLIAM J. ROSEBERY.
Eew citizens of Tippecanoe county are as widely and favorably known as
\\'illiam J. Rosebery. the oldest real estate dealer in Lafayette and one of
the citv's most useful and highly esteemed men. His life has become a part
of the history of the community in which he has made his home for many
years, and his long and honorable business career has brought him before
the public in such a way as to gain the esteem and confidence of his fellow-
m^n and give him a reputation such as few of his contemporaries have at-
fined. Keen perception, tireless energy and honesty of purpose, combined
with mature judgment and every-day common sense, have e\er been among his
TIPPECANOE COUNTY^ IND. 715
most prominent characteristics, and while laboring for individual sticcess and
for the material interests of the community, he has also been largely instru-
mental in promoting the moral welfare of those with whom he has mingled.
U'illiam J. Rosebery was born near Charleston, V^irginia, on the 15th
day of June, 1836, but in the fall of the same year he was brought to Indiana
by his parents and, with the exception of two years, has since lived in
Tippecanoe county. The father, Joshua Rosebery, was born in Maryland,
of German parentage, grew to maturity in the city of Baltimore and in early
life became a planter, though not a slave holder. He married, in Virginia,
Rebecca Bell and shortly after the birth of his second child moved to Clinton
county, Indiana, and settled at a place then known as Prairieville, about a
mile east of the present town of Clark's Hill, Two years later he came to
Tippecanoe county, where he engaged in agriculture, about one mile west of
the village of Wyandotte. After residing in that locality until the death of
his wife, some time in the early sixties, he went to live with his son, of whose
home he continued an inmate until his death, in 1870, at the age of sixty-five,
his wife having been fifty years old at the time of her demise. Joshua and
Rebecca Rosebery were the parents of five children, three sons and two
daughters, two of whom are living, the subject of this sketch being the
second one in order of birth. George, who was the oldest of the family and
a farmer by occupation, joined the Fortieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer
Infantry, at the beginning of the late Civil war, but by reason of disability
was obliged to quit the service before the expiration of his period of enlist-
ment. He never reco\ered from the sickness incurred while in the army,
dying a few years after his discharge and lea\-ing a family consisting of a
wife and son and three daughters. Frances, the third in succession, married
a J\lr. Saylors and is living in Howard county, this state; Jane, who also
resided in Howard county, was twice married, her second husband being
Andrew J. Harness. Joshua, the youngest of the family, a married man
and the father of one daughter, departed this life in Texas, at the age of
thirty-five.
The early life of William J. Rosebery was spent in this county and
until the age of nineteen he lived on his father's farm and assisted in culti-
vating the same. The first school he attended was taught by his aunt. Miss
Mary Bell, who used for the purpose the upper room of his father's dwelling,
the school being supported by subscription and patronage by the few families
living in the vicinity. Following this, he attended other subscription schools
in the neighborhood, later became a pupil of the public schools, in wliich he
fiin'shed the common branches, and then entered the high school at Davton
7l6 PAST AND PRESENT
where he completed his educational experience with a fair knowledge of the
more advanced C(xirses of study. In 1855. when hut nineteen years of age,
he was appointed bv John W. Martin deputy county treasurer, and served
under that gentleman for a period of two years and served four years in the
same capacitv under Salem F. Fry. his successor, during which time he dis-
charged his duties with such efficiency as to Ijring his name prominently
before the Republican party as an available candidate for the ofifice when
his principal's term should expire. When the convention assembled he w-as
the choice of the majority of the delegates and at the ensuing election, in
i860, he defeated his competitor by a handsome vote and during the four
years ensuing filled the oiifice with credit to himself and to the satisfaction
of the people of the county, proving a very capable and obliging official and
comparing favorably with the oldest of his predecessors.
.\t the expiration of his term as treasurer. Mr. Rosebery, at the earnest
solicitation of his successor, continued two years longer as the latter's deputy,
making a total of twelve consecutive years in the ofifice. during which period
he rendered a faithful account of his stewardship and retired with the confi-
dence and gocd will of his fellow citizens, irrespective of political affiliation.
Shortlv after resigning his deputyship. ]Mr. Rosebery became associated
with Messrs. Daggett, Potter and Martin in the manufacturing of flour and
linseed oil. The firm thus constructed operated a large mill and did an ex-
tensive business until the financial stringency of 1873 interfered very ma-
teriallv with the enterprise. Six years later the business was practically
ruined bv a destructive fire, which swept away the entire mill property. The
loss sustained was alnvist total and resulted in the firm being driven into
bankruptcy, as the only means of winding up its affairs.
Following this disaster. Mr. Rosebery accepted the position of deputy
county auditor, under Primus P. Culver, with whom he served two years, and
he also continued in the same capacity during the two succeeding terms under
his successors. Johnson and Barnes, a total of eight years in the office, with
the duties of which he became thoroughly familiar, conducting himself in this,
as in his funm-r official relations, with an eye single to the interests of the
public. At the expiration of the period indicated Mr. Rosebery resigned his
position and >htirtlv thereafter opened a real estate, loan and insurance office,
to which line of business he has since devoted him.self, building up a large and
lucrati\e practice in the meantime and taking high rank among the city's most
enterjjrising men and public-spirited citizens. He has been in his present
business since 1883. a period of twenty-six years, during which time he has
becoiue widely and favorablv known, doing a \ery satisfactory business in the
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 7I7
buying, selling and trading of property in the city and county, and command-
ing a very extensive patronage throughout Indiana and other states. Besides
keeping pace in the matter (^f loans and insurance with the most successful
of his competitors, he is at this time the oldest real estate dealer in Lafayette
and his many years of strenuous endeaxor have resulted in the comfortable
competency which he has accumulated for his declining years, also in the hon-
orable position he has attained in the esteem and confidence of his fellowmen.
Mr. Rosebery, on August 2. 1859. contracted a matrimonial alliance with
Mary .Martin, of Lafayette, daughter of John \V. and Sina (Lewis) Martin,
the father at one time treasurer of Tippecanoe county, and it was during his
term that his future son-in-law acted as deputy in the office. Four sons and
the same number of daughters have been born to ]Mr. and Mrs. Rosebery,
namely: Henrietta H. ; Clara B.. her father's assistant; Sina. wife of Edgar
B. Jameson, a grain dealer of Lafayette; William J., a salesman of machinery;
John M. ; Robert P., a telegraph operator, also a dealer in grain at Gibson
City, Illinois ; J. Wallace, who is engaged in the heating and lighting business
at Gary, this state, and Mary, a young lady, who is still a member of the home
circle. The family are members of the First Baptist church of Lafayette, and
in his political faith Air. Rosebery has been a life-long Republican, casting his
first presidential ballot in i860 for Abraham Lincoln. The subject and his
w ife celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage August 2, 1909. All
of their eight children are living and doing well in their respective spheres of
activity and the home is frequently cheered by the presence of six grandchil-
dren, all bright and interesting, with doubtless many years of usefulness before
them.
Mr. Rosebery was a firm anil uncompromising friend of the Union during
the Ci\il war and served a short time as a soldier, when Indiana was being
invaded by the Confederates under General John Morgan. During the period
of enlistment his principal duty consisted in patrolling the Ohio river, between
the cities of New Albany and Cairo on the steamboat ram "Hornet," but when
the presence of the enemy was no longer feared he received his discharge, there
being no further need of his services.
In closing this review of one of Lafayette's most highly respected citizens,
it is deemed proper to place before the reader certain facts which by reason of
becoming modesty, he might prefer to remain unsaid, but which, in order to
afford a true insight into his character and furnish an example worthy of emu-
lation by a young man just entering the struggle of life, are eminently worthy
of record in this connection. When the financial disaster, previously men-
tioned, befell him in the milling business and the firm was forced into bank-
71 8 PAST AND PRESENT
ruptcy. yir. Rosebery, thougli relieved by due process of law from any legal
obligation to pay such debts as were thus barred, felt that a moral obligation
obtained, a conclusion shared by his wife. Accordingly they disposed of all of
their property, ignoring the wife's dower rights, and by strict economy finally
succeeded in settling the indebtedness to the last dollar. This magnanimous
act is worthy of all praise and in all probability it was the nucleus to an era
of prosperity in future years, which has placed the worthy couple in comfort-
able circumstances, free from the embarrassing thought of having wronged
any man, even through the technicalities of the law.
As already stated, the Roseberys are among Lafayette's most honored and
esteemed families, a distinction accorded them not in recognition of great
wealth, exalted literary attainments or brilliant social prestige, but because of
sterling worth, peaceful and happy home life, filial affection, the domestic
allurements and, above all, by the determination to deal justly by all men and
to lay up treasures for another and happier sphere of existence.
DARIUS H. FRAZER.
An honorable representative of one of the esteemed families of Tippe-
canoe county and a gentleman of high character and worthy ambition, the
subject of this sketch fills no small place in the public view, as the important
official positions he has held since 1895 bear witness. Benjamin Franklin
Frazer, the subject's father, was born in \Mieeling, West \'irginia. He
married Mary McDill, of Ross county, Ohio, and came to Indiana a number
of years ago, settling in Tippecanoe county, where his death occurred when
his son Darius was about three years old. Mrs. Frazer, who was born No-
vember 30, 1 81 6, bore her husband four children, and departed this life on
the 2d day of June, 1882. Of the family of this worthy couple two are
living at the present time, viz. : ISIaria, wife of Simeon S. Sims, of Indian-
apohs, and the subject of this review. Elizabeth died when a young woman
twenty-six years old, and Eliza was called away at the age of twenty, Darius
H. being the youngest of the family.
Darius H. Frazer was born August 14, 1853, in Tippecanoe county,
Indiana, spent his early years on the family homestead in Wabash township
and grew to manhood with well defined ideas of life and its duties and re-
sponsibilities. In his youth he attended the district school near his home
until obtaining a practical knowledge of the English branches, and as soon
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 719
as old enough was taught the lessons of industry and thrift on the home
farm, which he helped to cultivate and which has been in the family name
ever since purchased by his father many years ago. On reaching the years
of manhood, Mr. Frazer assumed the management of the farm and in due
time became one of the leading agriculturists and stock raisers of Wabash
township, which representation he still retains. He now owns the home place,
a beautiful and highly productive farm of one hundred and tifty-two acres,
on which are some of the best improvements in the locality and which he
cultivates by means of hired help, the man under whose personal supervision
it is now operated having been in his employ for twenty-five years. Mr.
Frazer has been active in politics ever since attaining his majority, and for
twenty-five years has wielded an influence for the Republican party second
to that of few of his contemporaries. ■ He early became familiar with the
history of parties and their principles and has always been in touch with
the leading questions and issues of the day, on all of which he keeps himself
well informed and abreast of the times. For a number of years he has been a
potent factor in local affairs and a leader of his party in \\'abash township,
where he served very acceptably as trustee, filling the office five years and
three months and discharging the duties of the same in a manner highly satis-
factory to his constituents. He also held the position of supervisor for five
years, during which time he was untiring in his efforts to improve the public
highways of his jurisdiction and afford an example much to their credit. In
1906 he was considered the most available Republican in the county for
sherifif, and in the convention of that year he easily led all competitors and
received the nomination, his triumphant election following. Since taking
charge of the office, Mr. Frazer has been unremitting in his duties, proving
a capable and popular sheriff, determined in his efforts to enforce the law
and bring its violators to justice. That he has proved an efficient and good
sheriff is attested by the fact that at the close of his first term he was re-nomi-
nated and re-elected, defeating a popular competitor and carrying much more
than the normal strength of the Republican ticket in the year 1908. The
better to discharge his official functions, he moved in 1906 to the county
seat, but, as already stated, still gives personal attention to his agricultural
interests, carefully looking after the management of his farm.
Mr. Frazer is a splendid type of the intelligent, up-to-date American,
in the full sense of the term a man of the people with their interests at heart.
As a citizen he is progressive and abreast of the times in all that concerns
the common weal. .Mthnugb a partisan, with strong convictions and well
defined o|)iniijns on questions concerning which men and parties divide, he
720 PAST AND PRESENT
has the esteem and contidence of the people of the community, and liis per-
sonal friends are as the numl3er of his acquaintances, regardless of party
ties.
The domestic chapter of Mr. Frazer's life dates from 1882, on March
6th of which year he was married to Artentia Surface, daughter of Samuel
and Nancy Surface, a native of Cass county. Indiana, a union blessed with
five children, viz. : Mary, who married John Mantle, and lives on a farm
in Wabash township: Frank, formerly a turnkey of the county jail and at
present a conductor on the street railway: he, too, is married, his wife having
formerlv been Anna Brown, of Lafayette : Margaret, the third child in order
of birth, died at Marcelline. Missouri, August 8, 1907, at the age of twenty-
two ; Homer is a street car conductor ; and Lillian is the wife of Albert Ross,
residing in West Lafayette. !Mr. Frazer and family are members of the
Methodist Episcopal church, active in religious duties and liberal in con-
tributing to the spread of the gospel, at home and in heathen lands. Socially,
they are greatly esteemed, and since moving to Lafayette have made many
acquaintances and warm friends among the best people of the city.
M. M. LAIRY. yi. D.
Dr. M. AL Lairv, who by the inherent force of his own industry and
determination has achievetl success in his chosen profession, and who is now
one of the highly honored practicing physicians of the thriving city of Lafay-
ette, justly demands recognition in the annals of his county and the following
sketch will present a brief review of his career.
The Doctor was born October 6. 1863, the sen of Alexander and ]\Lary A.
(Tsley) Lairy, both of whom were natives of Ohio and by their respective par-
ents were brought to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, when they were yet in child-
hood. The father died when the subject of this notice was a mere child, after
which the lad had to make his way through life unaided by the care and sup-
port usually afforded a son. He remained on a farm until sixteen years of
age. when he had received a district school education. He was imbued with a
laudable ambition, however, to accomplish something among the ranks of his
fellowmen, and had frequent visions of a professional career. It was in 1879
when he entered the Collegiate Institute at Battle Ground, Indiana, and some-
time later became a student at' the State L'niversity at Bloomington, Indiana,
when within one year of graduation, he was greatly disappointed at finding
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. J2\.
that on account of sickness and close confinement he was compelled to leave
his classes. But after a short time engaged at other work, he was so far re-
covered that he was permitted to engage in teaching school, w'hich profession
he followed for four years, during which period he met with a gratifying suc-
cess as an instructor. ^Meanwhile he had commenced the study of medicine
under Dr. William S. Walker, of Lafayette, and subsequently he matriculated
at the Kentucky School of Medicine, at Louisville, from which most excellent
institution he graduated in 1892. But wishing to be fully posted along lines
not already covered in his medical course, he took a year's course in the Indi-
ana ]\Iedical College, at Indianapolis, from which he graduated in 1893, after
which he immediately came to Lafayette and established himself in practice.
His success has been a marked one from the first, his large patronage including
many of the best families within the city. He is a thorough reader of medical
literature and keeps fully abreast with the times in which he lives, and also
takes advantage of the latest discoveries in the science of medicine. In society
matters, the Doctor is a worthy member of the Tippecanoe ^Medical Society,
the State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association. He is a
pronounced Democrat in his political views. In 1898 he was elected a member
of the Lafayette city council, from the second ward of the city, and in 1906
he was elected a member of the city school board of which he is now the pre-
siding officer.
That Doctor Lairy is a leader among men is seen when it comes to the
number and importance of the various positions he has held. He is a member
of the visiting stafif of St. Elizabeth's Hospital ; member of the lecturing staff
'^f the State Soldiers' Home; member of the medical staff of St. Joseph's
Orphanage ; surgeon for the Fort Wayne & Wabash Valley Traction Com-
pany, medical director of the Lafayette Life Insurance Company and the local
examiner for several insurance companies. Like many of the present day pro-
fessional men, the Doctor is identified with civic societies as follows : Member
of the Knights of Pythias, having passed through all the chairs in this order ;
also belongs to the Woodmen of the World and the Benevolent and Protective
Order of Elks, in which order he was trustee for four years.
Doctor Lairy was united in marriage September 22, 1902, to Annie Cas-
sel, the daughter of John and Catherine Cassel. The widowed mother of
Doctor Lairy married C. H. Grimes. She died in the month of February,
1902; ]Mr. Grimes now resides in Fountain county. By the second marriage
of his mother there was one son born. Rev. J. E. Grimes, who is now pre-
siding eleder in the United Brethren church.
(46)
^2,2 PAST AND PRESENT
MYROX E. LE GALLEY. D. D. S.
Few prufessional men have "made good" more rapidly in the same
length of time as this ixjpular and progressive young dentist. Back of a
fine educational equipment, up-to-date and first class in every particular, is
found the abounding energy, the knowledge of human nature, the social
diplomacy and address which furnish the keys to success. The Doctor has
been in Lafayette but thirteen years, yet in that comparatively short period
he has forged to the front until he is recognized as one of the leading dentists
of this part of the state. There has been a steady growth and continuous
progress with the result that, financially, Doctor Le Galley may be said
to be sitting independently in the mansion of his own building. The family
is of Ohio origin, their residence for many years being at Bowling Green.
There, on tlie i6th of ^lay, 1872, ]\L E. Le Galley was born, his parents
being- John H. and ]\Iary S. (\\'hite) Le Galley. Besides himself, there
were two cliildren, one. Dr. Henry W. Le Galley, a dentist in practice at
Bowling Green, and a twin brother of the subject, Marion Eugene, also a
dentist, who died in October, 1907. The father was a farmer and the three
boys had the benefit that comes from the out-of-door life incident to agri-
cultural pursuits. They, however, had ambitions that led them away from
farm life, their aspirations being for professional careers. After the usual
routine in the district and high schools, Myron E. Le Galley became a student
in the Indiana Dental College at Indianapolis, where he applied himself with
a vigor that bespeaks the ambitious pupil. He began his studies in the
fall of 1892, and three years later, in the spring of 1895, was made happy
by receiving the sheep-skin which certified his degree of Doctor of Dental
Surgery and indicated his graduation from a standard school. He found
an opening in the Indiana state capital and hastened to take advantage of it,
with that sagacity that has always characterized his actions. Prof. E. E.
Reese needed an assistant and the recent graduate accepted, having been the
Professor's assistant while a dental student, but this last engagement lasted
only one year, as Doctor Le Galley was desirous of an independent business
of his own as soon as possible. He had for some time had an eye on La-
fayette as one of the largest and wealthiest of the state's county seats, and
on July I, 1896, we find him duly installed as a dentist in the progressive
capital of Tippecanoe county. At first he worked as an assistant to Dr.
Frank I\L Hamsher, later purchased a half interest in the business and
eventually owned it all. He was successful from the start, and his practice
has increased bv a steady ratio until it is now extensive and valuable. He
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 723
numbers among his clients the most prominent and wealthy people of La-
fayette, and patients ccme from all the towns and cities for miles around.
He is kept busy during all the woiking hours and the measure of his succ^.s
is ample proof of the quality of his professional work. His office is equipped
with the latest appliances in his progressive profession, and nothing that
science can do to mitigate pain or cunningly furnish a substitute for nature
is omitted from the equipment of Doctor Le Galley.
In 1899 Doctor Le Galley married INIildred ^Nlay Rinker, and has two
sous: Kenneth B., born November 29, 1900, and Robert R., born February
28, 1903. The Doctor ranks high in his profession and is an honored member
of the State and Northern Indiana Dental Societies, as also the association of
local dentists. His other fraternal, religious and professional connections
embrace membership in the Knights of Pythias and \\'oodmen of the World,
he being prelate in the first mentioned order. He is a member of the First
Baptist church and chairman of its finance committee, and is also a stock-
holder in the Casualty Security Association of Indianapolis. Though his
early training politically led him into the Democratic fold, he is quite inde-
pendent in his views, and in voting at local elections refuses to be bound by
party lines, preferring to select those who in his judgment are the best men.
In all the relations of life, business, political, religious, professional, fraternal
or social. Doctor Le Gallev is regarded as a model citizen.
EDWARD C. DA\TDSON. M. D.
A descendant of an old and influential family and a physician who has
won the confidence and good will of a large clientele of representative people
of Tippecanoe county is the gentleman whose name forms the caption of this
biographical sketch, to a brief review of whose career the reader's attention
is called in the following paragraphs.
Edward C. Davidson was born in Lafayette, Indiana, January 30, 1867,
the son of Hon. R. P. Davidson, for many years one of the leading public
men of the county, whose wife bore the maiden name of Jennie Claybough,
and to this union seven children were born, of whom Edward C. Davidson
was the youngest in order of birth. Two of their sons are deceased ; the rest
are attorneys at law. each making a record in that profession.
The subject passed through the common schools and decided to devote
his life to the noble profession of medical science. With that end in view he
entered Purdue University, where he took a literary course, also studied
724 PAST AND PRESENT
pharmacy, making a commendable record in both. He then entered the
medical department of the University of Michigan, from which he graduated
in 1 89 1, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine. In 1891 he took a
post-graduate course in one of the medical colleges of Chicago. In the same
year he located in Lafayette and began practice, and he has since met with
very marked success, having built up a large practice not only in the city of La-
favette but also throughout Tippecanoe county, and he is often called to re-
mote localities in consultation with other physicians whose skill has been
bafifled. In 1895 Doctor Davidson was married to Lauretta Johnson, who
was the representative of a fine old familw well known in this county. After
a happy wedded life of about eleven years, Mrs. Davidson was called to her
rest in 1906. One winsome little daughter, Dorothy, brightens the Doctor's
home, and is attending the common schools.
Doctor Davidson is not a public man, although interested in whatever
tends to advance the interests of his native community. In his fraternal
relations he belongs to the ]\Iasonic order, and is also a member of the county,
state and national medical societies, in all of which he takes an abiding inter-
est. He is a member of the staff of the St. Elizabeth Hospital.
ABRAM BALEXTIXE.
A man of scholarly attainments, yet of practical turn of mind, who left
the indelible impress of his sterling personality upon all with whom he came
in contact, was Abram Balentine, for many years a prominent citizen of I,a-
fayette, Indiana. He was born in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania!. June 7. 1835,
and his parents were natives of that state where they spent their lives. Abram
grew up in his native community, where he attended school and became well
educated, for he was always of a studious nature and easily mastered what-
ever subject he attempted. Upon reaching maturity he conceived the idea
that larger opportunities awaited him in the then practically new but grow-
ing country of the middle West. Coming to Indiana, he soon secured a foot-
hold and made a comfortable living, having learned steam engineering and
mastering every detail of this line of work. He. therefore, spent the major
part of his mature years working as a stationary engineer, being considered
an e.xpert. His death occurred May 7, 1904.
Mr. Balentine was married, on September 24, 1861. to Mary :\I. Xalley,
the wedding occurring three miles south of Lafayette at the home of Mrs.
Balentine's parents. Walter and Sarah (Reed) Nalley. She was born in
WILLIAM S. POTTER
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 725
Piqua, Miami county, Ohio, ^lay i8, 1845, where she grew to maturity anc!
from where her parents moved to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, wliile she was
yet a young woman. She received a fairly good education in the common
schools. To Mr. and Mrs. Balentine four children, three daughters and one
son, were born, namely: Luella J., born June 28, 1863, married Joseph
Petitt, September 10, 1879, and after becoming the mother of two children,
died August 28, 1896; Lucinda Balentine, born in White county, Indiana,
May 17, 1865, married on December 17, 1884, and became the mother of one
son; William R. Balentine, born in White county, January 18, 1868. married
September 25, 1889, and has two daughters; Mary Alice Balentine, born
November 22, 1876. married April 10, 1899, and one daughter was born
to her who is now deceased.
The cozy and commodious Balentine home is at Xo. 15 12 North Thir-
teenth street, in which cummunity members of this ideal househi.ld are
popular. They belong to the }.lethodist Episcopal church. These children all
received liberal educations, having attended school at Chalmers, Battleground,
Monticello and a college of music in Indianapolis. ^Irs. Balentine, being a
woman of an artistic turn of mind, took a delight in fostering the esthetic
element in her children and in giving them every advantage to develop the
higher principles of their being. She is a very industrious, though modest
and home-loving woman, a thoroughly good mother and kind neighbor, and
she proved to be a faithful helpmeet to her husband, who was of a decided
mechanical turn of mind,, a great reader and student of mechanics, practical,
fatherly and kind-hearted, winning and retaining the friendship of all classes.
The\- have reared a family of children of whom any one might be proud, the
wholesome atmosphere about this home ha\ing ever been pure and uplifting.
WILLIAM S. POTTER.
The inevitable law of destiny accords to tireless energv and industrv a
successful and honoraljle career and in no field of endeavor is tiiere greater
opportunity for advancement than that of the law — a profession whose
votaries, if distinguished, must be endowed with native talent, rectitude of
character, singleness of purpose and broad general knowledge. William S.
Potter fully meets all these requirements of his chosen profession and stands
today among the leading lawyers of the city in which he lives, and is justly
esteemed one of the able business lawyers of the northern Indiana bar.
\\'illiam S. Potter, a native of Indiana, was born at the Potter home-
stead, corner of Columltia and Tenth streets, Lafavettc, in the vcar i8ss.
726 PAST AND PRESENT
being the eldest son of A\'illiam A. and Eliza ( Stiles) Potter. The father.
a Xew Yorker by birth, came to Lafayette in 1843 and engaged in the mer-
cantile business, later becoming a large manufacturer and an influential man
of affairs. The mother was born in Suffield. Connecticut; came to Indiana
in 1850 and settled in Lafayette, where her marriage to ^Ir. Potter took
place soon afterwards.
William S. Potter was reared in his native city, and after attending
both public and private schools entered the Massachusetts Agricultural Col-
lege, Amherst, Massachusetts, from which he was graduated in 1876. Re-
turning to Lafayette, he entered as a law student in the office of ^^'allace &
Rice, where he continued until his admission to the bar about the year 1878.
When the firm of Wallace & Rice was dissolved, he became associated in the
practice with the former gentleman, but later being offered a full partnership
with Captain Rice he accepted the same and the firm thus constituted lasted
twenty years, during which time both members rose to eminence in their pro-
fession. Since the dissolution of the above partnership, caused by the death
of Captain Rice, in 1901, JMr. Potter has practiced alone, his legal abilities
and sound judgment attracting to him a large and lucrative clientage and
giving him an honorable reputation among the leading men of his profession
in the northern part of the state. While well grounded in the principles of
jurisprudence and successful in the general practice, for some years past he
has given special attention to law relating to business and real estate, in which
he is considered an authority.
Li addition to his professional duties. Mr. Potter has large and important
real estate interests, and in the improvement of lands and city property he
has 'done as much and achieved as great results as any other man in his city
or cnuntv. similarlv engaged. He is vice-president and director of the Xortli-
ern Indiana Land Company, an organization owning twenty-five thousand
acres rf land between T,"fayette and Chicago, which were bought for devel-.
opment and mvnn e.-vnt. also has important holdings in Texas and Chicago
real estate. In connection with the interests referred to he is also identified
with various other enterprises, notably the banking Inisiness. in which his
success has been marked and continuous, being at this time vice-president and
director of the National Fowler Bank, besides having interests in various like
institutions in other cities and towns.
Mr. Potter has always kept in close toucli with tlie material progress
and improvement oi Lafayette, and all laudable movements to these ends
have found in him a zealous advocate and liberal patron. He is a member
of the directorate of the Merchants Electric Light .Association, and is also
similarlv connected with the Lincoln Life Insurance Company. Aside from
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. T^7
the various public euterprises with which lie is identified he has ever mani-
fested a lively regard tor the social and moral advancement of Lafayette,
to which ends he has given liberally of his time and means and is justly
esteemed as a true and tried friend of all measures and movements havmg
for their object the welfare of his fellowmen.
As a lawyer, ^Ir. Potter, as already indicated, stands high among his
compeers, and as a financier and broadminded business man has achieved
success and wields an influence and prestige which place him in the front
rank of Indiana's men of affairs. He is essentially a man of the people with
the best interests of humanity at heart — in fine, a typical American whose love
of country is paramount to every other consideration, and who discharges
the duties of citizenship with a spirit in keeping with the genius of our in-
stitutiLus.
In the year 1885, Air. Potter was married to Fanny \V. Peck, of Troy,
Penns}'lvania. Mrs. Potter is a member of the Society of Dames and
Daughters of the American Re\-olution. ^^Ir. and Mrs. Potter have one son,
George L. Potter, who was graduated in 1909 from Howe ^Military School,
a preparatory school of Har\ard University, and is now traveling abroad. In
their religious belief they subscribe to the Presbyterian faith, and belong to
the Second church of that denomination in Lafayette, Mr. Potter being a
trustee of the organization. Associated with Oliver Goldsmith, he had charge
of the erection of the church building, and when the edifice was destroyed by
fire soon after its crectinn the same two gentlemen were selected to rebuild,
with the result that the church has one of the most beautiful and attractive
temples of worship in the city.
As indicated in a preceding paragraph. 3.1r. Potter has contributed much
to the material improvement of Lafayette, not tlie least among which is
the splendid residence fronting on State street near Ninth, which he now
occupies. This sightly mansion was originally built by the state of Con-
necticut to represent that state at the World's Fair at St. Louis, but when
the fair closed it was purchased by Mr. Potter, who had it dismantled, packed
in cars and shipped to Lafayette. In preparing a site for the structure he
procured a tract of four acres on State street, from which he removed the
buildings and erected the present structure thereon, making one of the most
beautiful and attractive residences in the state. The edifice is a perfect tvpe
of the colonial mansion of olden times, being modeled after several historic
homes of Connecticut, the main part three stories high, the wings two
stories. The porch is also two stories and, extending half across the front, is
semi-elliptical in shape and suppcrtcd liy four huge fluted columns of stone.
728 PAST AND PRESENT
An elnborate colonial doorway affords entrance to the main part of the build-
ing and some of the interior woodwork, taken from the historic Hubbard-
Slater home in the city of Xorwich. Connecticut, adds interest as well as
beauty to the apartments which it adorns. The great central hall is open
through both stories, the upper rooms forming a gallery w-hich is wainscotted
to the ceiling in the fashion greatly admired by previous generations. The
edifice, which is complete in all of its parts, is finished in the highest style of
the builder's art, and, with its elaborate furnishing and broad, attractive lawns.
walks bordered with beds of beautiful flowers and containing a number of
gigantic forest trees and many other beautiful and pleasing features, combine
to make a complete and luxurious home. ^luch has been written in the
various magazines about this house and surroundings, on account of its his-
toric interest, and numerous pictures of it ha\-e appeared in different illus-
trated periodicals, but to be appreciated it must be seen, as but a faint con-
ception of its size, beauty and attractive features can be obtained from photo-
graphic reproduction.
Mr. Potter has not been sparing of his means in surrounding himself and
family with the comforts and luxuries of life and, being financially inde-
pendent, he takes great pleasure in his home and in travel each year and is
well situated to enjoy the many blessings which have come to him as the
result of his business acumen and success.
DOC I. NEWTON.
It is deemed eminently appropriate at this place to call the reader's at-
tention to the life history of the gentleman whose name introduces this
sketch, owing to the fact that his life has always been such as to inspire
confidence and admiration on the part of his fellow citizens and he is today
reckoned as one of the leading men of his township.
Doc I. Newton was born on a fnrni in ^ilontgomery countv near the
boundary line between Montgomery ami Tippecanoe counties. He is the
son of Henry and Mary A. (Muir) Newton, botli natives of Indiana, having
been born and reared near Lawrenceburg, where they married in 1842 and
settled on a farm, where their son. Doc I., of this review, was torn in 1865.
Shortly afterward they moved to a farm in Tippecanoe county (Randolph
township) where the family remained until after the death of the father
on January 27. 1884, having died shortly before his fifty-fifth birthdav. His
TIPPECANOE COUNTYj IND. 729
widow, a woman of Ijeautilul Christian attrilxites, still survi\es. Ijeing now
seventy-four years old, and her residence is at Romney. They were the
parents of eleven children, six boys and five girls, nine of whom are still
living, Doc I. being the fifth in order of birth. These children rellect the
wholesome home environment in which they were reared and are worthy
descendants of a man whose life was exemplary in every respect and who
was highly esteemed by all who knew him.
Doc I. Newton attended the schools in Romney, and having completed
the prescribed course there, he spent one year in the Ford high school where
he made a splendid record, having intended to remain until he graduated,
but he was compelled to return home and assist with the farm work, his
father having died. He remained at home with his widowed mother until
1890 when he began life for himself as a fanner. In 1893 the domestic
chapter in his life began, he having espoused Mary E. ]\I. Beach in Lafayette,
Indiana, a woman of* refinement and the daughter of an old and honored
family. She was born in Romney on November 2, 1870, the daughter of
Joshua X. and Ellen Tracy ( House) Beach, both natives of Indiana. ]\Irs.
Beach is deceased, and Mr. Beach is living in Lafayette, having re-married.
After a happy wedded life of comparatively brief duration, Mrs. Newton
passed to her rest Noveinber 10, 1907. Four children were born to this
union, namely: Burnys is now (1909) ten years old: Paul and ]\[ax ard
both deceased ; Howard Everett, aged two years.
yiv. Newton with his two children reside in one of the finest homes in
Romney, which cost nearly eight thousand dollars. It is elegantly furnished
and in the midst of beautiful surroundings. Besides this Mr. Newton is the
owner of se\en hundred acres of fine farming land in Tippecanoe county,
which, under his able management, has produced iDounteous crops from year
to year and it is well kept in every respect Grandfather House, ancestor
of Mrs. Newton, was one of the oldest pioneers in Tippecanoe county, hav-
ing come here when the county \\as yet the home of red men and wild
beasts. He owned between seven hundred and eight hundred acres of land
in Randolph township. During his life there was no Methodist church in.
Romney, and he being a good Christian and strongly devoted to the ]\Ieth--
odist faith, arranged for the erection of a ^Methodist church building, which
still serves for the local congregation, he having donated the same to the
people of Romnev for a place of worship. The building cost five thousand
dollars. Grandfather and grandmother House are both sleeping the sleep
of the just in the cemetery at Romney, as also are their two children, the
onlv ones born to them.
730 PAST AND PRESENT
Mr. Newton is known as a very religious man and has been a member
of the Methodist church practically all his life. He has been a member of
the board of trustees of the church for a period of ten years, which office he
still very creditably fills, always taking- a delight in doing what he can in
furthering the work of the church, or, indeed, any other work looking to the
moral or material advancement of his county. He has always been a Re-
publican, but has never been an active worker in the ranks and has never
sought nor held public office. He is a pleasant man to meet, affable, genial,
courteous and hospitable and he holds high rank among the representative
citizens of Tippecanoe county where he is well and favorably known and
where he has led a verv consistent and industrious life.
HOX. JAMES LIXDSEV CALDWELL.
James L. Caldwell not only h(ilds distinctive precedence in his profession,
but during the more than thirty-six years that have elapsed since becoming
a resident of Lafayette he has always had deeply at heart the well being and
improvement of the city. On the paternal side, Mr. Caldwell is descended
from sterling Revolutionary ancestry, his great-grandfather, Alexander Cald-
well, a native of Pennsylvania and among the early pioneers of Kentucky,
having served in the struggle for independence under General Washington.
Alexander Caldwell married and, as already stated, moved to Kentucky in
1784, when it was indeed "The Dark and Bloody Ground." and there estab-
lished a family, among his children being a son named for himself, .\lexander,
whose birth occurred in Nicholas C(^unty, in an early day. and who chose
for his wife Hannah Sample, \\-ho was horn and reared in that part of the
state. Like his father, Alexander, Jr., was a tiller of the soil and a man of
influence in the community. He bore an active part in the material develop-
ment of his county, manifested a lively interest in civic matters and for a
number of vears was prominent in public affairs, and in no small degree a
leader among his neighbors and fellow citizens. He, too. reared a family
and migrated to Boone ccmnty. Indiana, during the pioneer days of the
thirties and settled on a farm abnut live miles from Thnrntown. where he
spent the remainder of his life, he and his faithful wife dying when well
advanced in years.
Tames Harvev Caldwell, a .son of the above mentioned, was born in
Nicholas countv, Kentuckv, januarv 30, 181 7, and was a young man when
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 73 1
lie accompanied his parents to Indiana. He married Ellen Tiberghein, a
native of ]Miami county, Ohio, and a granddaughter of Charles Tiberghein, a
French immigrant who arrived in America in the time of the colonies and
served with distinction in the Revolutionary war, making two of her mother's
grandfathers who fought in the struggle, hence it will be readily inferred
that the subject's descent from heroic ancestry is beyond question, and today
there are few, if any. Sons of the American Revolution with as clear a title
')i- as many bars to their credit. James Harvey and Ellen Caldwell spent the
greater portion of their lives on the home farm in Boone county, and were
highly respected by their neighbors and friends. They possessed many of the
qualities of mind and heart that beget confidence and insure popularity,
always lived according tn their high conceptions of duty and exercised a
wholesome moral influence in the community where they made their home
for so many years. Mr. Caldwell died on the family homestead, five miles
from Thorntown, July i6, 1888, his widow surviving him until Xo\-ember
26, 1892. The familv of this estimaiile couple consisted of two sons, Albert
\\\, who was born June 18, 1845, and James Lindsey, the subject of this
review, whose birth occurred on June 29, 1849.
Both of the Caldwell brothers spent their childhood and youth on the
home place in Boone county, and after a preliminary educational discipline
in a school at W^alnut Grove, under the auspices of the society of Friends,
entered the academy at Thorntown, where they made substantial progress in
the higher branches of learning, the training thus received being afterwards
supplemented by a full course in the Stockwell Collegiate Institute, at that
time in Tippecanoe county. After Albert's graduation from the institute at
Thornti.wn, he took up the study of law in the city of Indianapolis and was
admitted to the bar in due time, and for several years thereafter practiced
his profession in Boone county, achieving marked distinction as an able,
judicious and remarkably successful attorney. In 1873 he formed a partner-
ship with his brother at Lafayette which lasted until his death, his success
in his former field of practice fitting him for the raj^id advancement and
di.stinguislied achievements which characterized his professional career in
this city, a career covering ;i jiericd of thirty-four years, during which time
he 'rose to a conspicuous place among the leading members of the local bar.
besides becoming widely and favorably known in the legal circles of various
otlier counties. He married Lottie White, of Lafayette, who bore him lour
children, Arthur G., a civil engineer; .\lberta, a young lady living with her
widowed mother; Lillian and Dorothv, twins, ]nirsuing their studies in the
high school.
732 PAST AND PRESENT
-Albert Caldwell always stood high in his profession and, as already
indicated, met with gratifying success. For a number of years his name ap-
peared in connection with much important litigation, in addition to which he
built up a large and lucrative office business, being esteemed an honorable
and judicious as well as a learned and able lawyer, faithful to the interests
of his clients and above the suspicion of reproach as a counselor. He con-
tinued in the active practice until his untimely death, December 4, 1907, im-
mediately after A\hich, at a meeting of the Tippecanoe county bar. the follow-
ing appropriate resolutions relative to his life and professional standing were
read and adopted :
"As the autumn of the year has passed from us touched by the icy hand
of winter, so in the rich autumn of his life, touched by the inevitable finger
of death, there has passed from us one whose name we bring to this meeting
with a feeling akin to consecration, that we may set it in an appropriate frame-
work of our own choosing, with fit expressions of truthful tribute. Albert
A\'ashington Caldwell is no more. The visible earth-form by which we have
been wont to recognize his presence with us has passed away, his invisible
spirit life, from which we felt the depths of his moral worth, has passed on-
ward— the one in obedience to the law of its own mortality, the other by the
mystic decree beyond the conceptions of the human mind, in its transit to
the realms of spiritual existences, of which we can only say : 'There is no
death there.'
"Our brother, whose death occurred on the 4th instant, was born in
Boone county, in this state, on the i8th day of June. 1845. a few miles south
of the town of Thorntown. in a community largely crmposed of Quakers,
whose form of religious life and practice, we may well presume, had much
influence in the moulding of the ruling traits of his character. His paternal
ancestors some generations back emigrated from Pennsylvania to Nicholas
county, Kentucky, from which, about the year 1833, Alexander Caldwell,
the grandfather of our Albert \A'., removed to Boone county, Indiana, and
settled upon entered land in an unbroken forest with his family, of which
was one son, James H. Caldwell, the father of our suliject, and also J. T^.
Caldwell, a younger brother, who were his only children.
"Albert's early life was spent on the farm. He received his education
in the neighboring common schools and at Thorntown Academy, then a
flourishing and successful institution. His preparatory law reading was in
the office of Ray & Ritter at Indianapolis. He was admitted to the bar in
Boone county, where for a time he practiced, but in the year 1873 ''^ removed
to this city, where he and his brother. James L.. formed the law partnership
of Caldwell & Caldwell, which continued to the time of his death.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 733
"As a business man he was prompt and methodical. As a lawyer he
was assiduous, careful and critical, with a ready apprehension of the points
of adversary or judge. But the diadem, the highest merit of his life, public,
private, social and professional, was his unbending integrity and unfaltering
coubcientiousness. As a special judge on the bench, no suspicion of unjust
partiality ever tainted his rulings; as a trial lawyer, no trickery or foul
practice e\-er lowered his conduct.
"Another characteristic which marked his life was his unassuming and
unostentatious disposition. He despised all shams, double-dealing and moral
veneer; avoided all vulgarity and buffoonery, as he would the fangs of a
cobra. He was an admirer of candor and sincerity, of which he himself
was a genuine exemplar, and when he found one of his own type the affinity
sealed an enduring friendship. He sought membership in none of the popular
fraternities of the day; not because he decried fraternity, but because he
had no time or strength to share in the wayside conventionalisms of men
and because he had no taste for anything bordering on garish and spectacular.
He stood aloof from clubs and coteries, because the attractions of his own
home circle, to which he was devoted, filled all the longings of his heart.
But let it not be thought that he was morose or misanthropic, for the grace
of good cheer and genial fellowship shone out in all his intercourse with
others.
"With this composition in his nature, he could scarcely be otherwise than
a devout and unostentatious religionist. And so he was. His paternal stock
were Presbyterians, but his mother was a Methodist, and with a mother's
Bible, a mother's example and th.e depths of a mother's love, he was earlv
receptive of a faith in the earnestness she had lived. In it he was consistent
and steadfast.
"We have written nothing new. This estimate of the character of
Albert W. Caldwell has already been written in the hearts of all who knew
him. We would only perpetuate the writing, when time has bedimmed its
lines. Conscious of its defects, your committee submits this testimonial for
your consideration and action.
R. P. Davidson,
S. P. Baird,
John D. Gougar,
DeWitt Wilson,
Charles E. Thompson,
Charles H. Henderson,
Committee."
734 P'^ST AND PRESENT
James Lindsev Caldwell has been an honored member of the Lafayette
h-'r since the vear 1873. After finishing his literary education in Stockwell
Ccllegiate Institute, he entered the same office in Indianapolis where his
brother had previously studied, and after spending a year there returned to
Lafayette, where, during the two following years, he continued his studies
and researches in the office of G. O. & A. O. Behm. a well-known law firm of
the citv. L'nder the direction of these able lawyers, the young aspirant for
professional honors made commendable progress, and at the expiration of the
period indicated was duly admitted to the bar and began the practice in
partnership with his brother, as noted in a preceding paragraph. In due time
his ability won recognition, and. backed by the prestige of his partner, his
advancement from the beginning was steady and continuous. After a short
time in the general practice he was elected prosecutor of the criminal court
of Lafayette, which position he held until the office was abolished, and later.
in 1876. he was further honored by being elected prosecutor of the twenty-
third circuit, yiv. Caldwell proved an able prosecutor, and during his in-
cumbency was untiring in his efforts to enforce the law and bring offenders
to justice. Retiring from the office with an honorable record at the expiration
of his term, he re-entered the practice of law with his brother, the firm thus
constituted building up a large and lucrative business. Since the death of
the senior partner of the firm, in 1907, the subject has conducted the busi-
ness alone, and now has an extensive clientele which includes many of the
best men of Lafayette and Tippecanoe county. During the period of his
practice in Tippecanoe county, Mr. Caldwell has ever had the respect and
esteem of his brother members of the bar and of the community at large.
Kate Baker, to whom ]\Ir. Caldwell was married on the 21st of Feb-
ruary, 1884. is a daughter of Doctor ^Moses and Elizabeth (Skinner) Baker,
the father for many years a prorninent physician and surgeon, and in his day
one of the most distinguished men of his profession (see sketch in following
paragraph). William Skinner, father of Mrs. Baker, was one of the pioneer
settlers of Tippecanoe county, and in an early day served as sheriff, being
one of the first men to fill that office. Mrs._ Caldwell was educated at Stock-
well Collegiate Institute and Purdue University and is a lady of fine mind,
rare intellectual endowments and beautiful character. She has borne her
husband one child, a daughter, Mary Louise, who received her preliminary
mental discipline in the schools of Lafayette and then entered Dana Hall,
Massachusetts, an institution for the higher education of young women, from
which she was graduated in due time.
In his political associations. Mr. Caldwell is a stalwart Republican, and
for a number of vears has been active and influential in party affairs. He
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 735
was elected niavdr ut Lafayette in 1885 and served one term to the satis-
faction of the pubhc, proving an able and popular executive whu during his
incumbency made every otlier cnnsidcraticii subordinate tn the interests of
the municipality. In recognition of important political services he was ap-
pointed in 1897 postmaster of Lafayette and held the office fmm October of
that vear to March 1. jyo6, during which time the rural free delivery system
was established throughout the county and many other improvements for the
expeditious handling of the mails introduced. In the various public positions
to which he has been called, Mr. Caldwell acquitted himself creditably, dis-
charged his duty with conscientious fidelity, and his record as an official as well
as a citizen is eminently honorable and above the suspicion of reproach. In
matters religious he is a faithful and consistent member of the Alethodist
Episcop-l chrrch, with whicli h-dy h.i5 wife and daughter are al.^o identified.
■He is a Knight Templar Mason and a member of the Sons of the American
Re\'olution, his daughter being enrolled among the Daughters of tlie American
Re\olution.
Dr. Moses Baker, father of Mrs. James L. Caldwell, was born at Cin-
cinnati, Ohio, January 29, 1823, came with his parents to Stockwell, Indiana,
when a child of eight years, and spent the remainder of his long and useful
life as a practitioner of medicine and surgery within its boundaries. His
education was obtained in the pul)lic schools of the time and. being a zealous
student, he progressed rapidly. After choosing the medical profession as his
life work he entered the medical college at LaPorte, Indiana, from which
he was graduated in 1848, and in 1852 he completed the prescribed course in
medicine and surgery at Jefiferson Medical College, Philadelphia. Doctor
Baker was a skilled surgeon as well as physician and performed many critical
operations, notable among which was one known to the profession as a case
of Caesarian section, which went down in medical annals as most historic.
It would hardly be appropriate in a work of this character to enter into minute
details in explanation of this wonderful achievement in surgery; suffice it to
say that the operation was undertaken and successfully performed by Doctor
Baker, who assumed the entire responsibility though many other physicians
were present. This miracle in surgical science was successfully performed,
and both the mother and child survived for many years afterward, the latter
a robust man living today. This operation was performed on the 3d of
November, 1880, upon Mrs. Emma Lucas, wife of Luther Lucas, of Wild
Cat Prairie, near Stockwell, in this county. Dr. Moses Baker died at his
home in Stockwell, Tippecanoe county, Indiana, August 16, 1888, and was
mourned as a benefactor to his race.
736 PAST AND PRESENT
SA^IUEL BORN.
In an examination of the life record of the late Samnel Born, it will
be found that he was the possessor of attributes that rendered him popular
with all classes of citizens in Tippecanoe county, where the latter part of
his useful and influential life was spent, and it is safe to say that no man in
recent vears left a more iiulelijjle imprint of his sterling personality upon
those who associated with him here. He was born October 21. 1830, in
Rhein-Hessen, Germany, his parents being Samuel and Sarah (Wolf) Born;
they likewise were natives of Germany, and for many years the father was
engaged in agricultural pursuits and in general merchandising in the town
of Woerrstadt. He was a man of high standing in his community and one
and all accorded him the sincere esteem which he justly deserved. His
death occurred in 1882, wdien he had attained the ripe age of eighty-five
years ; his devoted wife, who sun-ived him but three years, was then in her
eighty-seventh year. The paternal grandfather of the subject was Closes
Born, whose entire life was spent in the Fatherland. He was a dealer in
general merchandise and cattle and for some time managed a farm. His
family comprised two sons and two daughters. Isaac Wolf, the maternal
grandfather of the subject, was born and spent his entire life in Germany.
He reared six daughters and two sons to lives of usefulness, and passed to
his reward admired and respected by all who knew him.
Samuel Born, of this sketch, received a collegiate education in his
native land and was of great assistance to his father in hisi various busi-
ness enterprises. Ha\-ing mastered the essential points of the successful busi-
ness man, the subject concluded to try his fortunes in the United States,
and, in 1854, he landed in New York city: thence he went to Philadelphia
where he had friends, and a year later he came on west to Indiana. Settling
in Waynetown, he kept a general store, dealt in grain and wool and packed
pork and beef quite extensively. He worked very assiduously at whatever
line of business he embarked upon, and the result was abundant success. In
1866 he visited his relatives in Europe, and during the year which he passed
in the land of his nativity he made the acquaintance of the lady who be-
came his wife. Accompanied by his bride, he returned to the United States
in 1867, and in the following year he settled permanently in Lafayette. At
that time he embarked in the grain business here and continued to manage
the same until 1895, when he organized the Samuel Born Company, of which
he was the president, his son Isa,ac secretary and treasurer, and his sons.
,<^^^^ ^-L /^^r>^1^
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. "Jl"]
]M;\x, Edward ami Alfred, were stockholders. The company exported grain
and bnilt up a very extensive and lucrativq trade. They had two ware-
houses and elevators in Lafayette and others at South Raub, Battle Ground,
Crane, Stockwell, Colfax and Dayton, and employment was afforded to about
seventy-five persons. In 1902 the grain business was disposed of and the
present coal and ice business was established. It has grown to extensive
proportions, both in coal and ice, a large, well-equipped and ably-managed
plant being maintained in the manufacture of the latter.
The death of Samuel Born occurred on September 9, 1905, and the
business has since been continued under the name Samuel Born Company,
comprising Edward Born and his mother.
On December 2, 1867, Samuel Born married Therese, daughter of ]\Iax
and Minnie Julia (Wolf) Gottscho, and six children were born to this
union, namely: Max, Isaac, Edward, Alfred, Jessie and Bertha; the last
named was the youngest and she died when three years of age. Max mar-
ried Caroline Dryfus, who is the mother of a daughter named Marion S.
Isaac married Bertha Weil and they have two children, Theresa and Ferdi-
nand. Alfred, the youngest son of Samuel Born and wife, died at the age
of twenty-three. The home of the senior Born was built by him in 1868 at
No. 516 North Sixth street. He and his wife belonged to the Reformed
Hebrew congregation and he was one of the trustees of the synagogue.
Politically he was a stanch Republican, and fraternally he belonged to the
B'nai B'rith (the Sons of the Covenant), and he was a Mason of the Royal
Arch degree.
In disposition Mr. Born was kindly, genial and generous, in addition
to possessing the other qualities which wrought out for him the prosperity
and prominence which he enjoyed. His example w'as one well worthy to be
emulated by the younger generation ; but none of his fellow citizens regarded
him in an envious manner, for he justly earned the affluence that was his
portion. A due regard for the rights of others and a genuine desire to be
of service to those whom fortune had frowned upon were the secrets of his
popularity among his associates.
CHARLES MURDOCK.
Tippecanoe county is indebted, perhaps, more to the IMurdnck familv
than to anv other for its wondrous transformation to one of the choicest
(47)
738 PAST AND PRESENT
sections of the Hoosier state, for members of this family have been leaders
in industrial and civic afifairs since the early days. Each, with a tidelity to
duty and a persistency of i^urpose peculiar to that class of men who take
the lead in large affairs, has performed well his duty in all the relations of
life, and while advancing their own interests have not been unmindful of
the general welfare of their fellow citizens. Thus they rightly deserve an
honored place in the history of this locality.
Charles ]Murdock, to a brief review of whose interesting career the
reader's attention is directed in the following paragraphs and whose name
needs no introduction to the people of northern Indiana, was born in 1805
in the city of Lafayette, the son of ^Ir. and Airs. James Alurdock, the
former a leading man of affairs in this part of the state for many decades,
a complete sketch of whom is to be found on another page of this work.
Charles Murdock's early life was spent much like that of other youths
of his station in life, principally in preparing himself for a business career
by the proper schooling and other early training. He was placed in St.
Mary's parochial school, where he made a very commendable record and laid
a broad and deep foundation for an education which in later years has been
supplemented by general reading and by association in the business world.
In 1879 he went with his parents to [Michigan City, Indiana, where he re-
sided while his father was warden of the penitentiary. He was ncit satistied
with his preliminary schooling and consecpientLy took a course in Xotre Dame
University, from which he was graduated in 1885.
The domestic chapter in the life of ilr. Alurdock dates from September
26. 1894, when he was united in marriage with Mary G. Lillis, a lady of
culture and refinement, and the representative of a prominent family of Kan-
sas City, Missouri. This union has been Ijlessed In- the birth of two chil-
dren, Charles L. and Alary L.
^^'hen the Merchants National Bank of Lafayette was organized, Charles
Alurdock became its cashier, which position he very ably filled u[) to the time
of his father's death, in Xovemlier. 1908, when he became president of the
institution, which is one of the soundest and most extensively patronized
hanks in this part of the st-'te, and he is at this writing conducting its affairs
in a manner th;it stamps him as the possessor if Ijusiness acumen and executive
ability of a high order. He and his brother Samuel were always closely
associated with their father in all his large and numerous business connections,
and the careful and thorough training given them by that wizard of finance
and captain of industry has placed them in the front rank of men who con-
trol large affairs.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY^ IND. 739
Cliarles INlurdock is vice-president of the Chicago, South Bend & Xorth-
ern Indiana Railway Company; also vice-president of the Ft. \\'ayne &
Wabash Valley Traction Company. Me is tre?.surer of the Evansville ^:
Southern Indiana Traction Company, and he is also vice-president or thi
Lafayette Loan & Trust Company, besides being interested in many other
large affairs, to all of which he gives his time and energy in sucli a manner
as to bring about the largest success.
Mr. iVIurdock is a member of the Catholic church, a liberal supporter of
the same, and is interested in charities or whatever tends to the general good
and tlie higher life, being broad in his sympathies and courteous in his de-
meanor— in short, those who know him liest declare him to be a worthy son
WILLIAM OTIS WEAA'ER.
The subject of this sketch, who is proprietor of the Weaver Granite
Works, was born in ]\lontpclier, Williams county, Ohio. November 17, i860,
the son of William and Lo\ina ( Steel ) \\"eaver. both natives of Lancaster,
I-^ennsylvania. The father, whose birth occurred on the 25th day of June.
1822, is by occupation a farmer, and the mother, who was born April 15. 1826,
is descended from a long line of agriculturists who figured in the history 'of
Lancaster county from a very remote period. William and Lmina Weaver
have spent their married life in Williams county, Ohio, where he still re-
sides, and where were born their ten children, with whom they constitute a
family circle into which as yet the Angel of Death has made no invasion witli
the exception of the mother. The descendants of this veneralile couple, in
addition to their five sons and five daughters, consists of forty-five grand-
c'-"'l''rcn. fiftv <Tre''t-!?Ta'idchil(l'-cr .nnd ore greit-,<?;'-c-'t-9Tapdchild. a fotnl
of one hundred and six. a number seldom equaled in these late days when
families are not so large.
\\'illiam O. Weaver was educated in the public schools and the Xorthern
Indiana Normal University at A'alparaiso. and began life in the mercantile
business at Bryan. Ohio, 'vhere he sold dry goods for a periocl of four years.
He was next engaged with a monument firm at Corning. New York, and
after five years there as a salesman embarked in the same line of business for
himself at ^fontpelier, Ohio, where he built up a lucrative trade and in due
time became the leading dealer of the kind in the city, .\fter about twelve
years at Montpelier he sold out, and in 1902 came to Lafavette, Indiana, and
again engaged in the granite and marble business, going into partnership
740 PAST AND PRESENT
with William \\". Darby, whose interest he purchased two years later, since
which time he has been sole proprietor of one of the largest and best equipped
establishments of the kind in northern Indiana. His place of business is on
the corner of Eighth and I\Iain streets, where he carries a full line of monu-
ments, both marble and granite, and is prepared to do all kinds of work in his
line with neatness and dispatch.
Mr. Weaver does all his lettering and fine carving with pneumatic tools,
operated by power, and to him belongs the credit of introducing this new
and highly improved system of work in Lafayette, where it has gradually
superseded the old hand process. He is also the only man in Tippecanoe
countv who builds mausoleums, his achievements in this line as well as in the
general monument trade giving him a wide reputation and bringing to. him
a steadily growing patronage not only in his own city and county, but in
many parts of Indiana and neighboring states. He is a skillful artist and,
being familiar with every detail of the business in which engaged, his suc-
cess has been commensurate with his energy and judicious management, and
he today ranks among the enterprising men and public-spirited citizens of
the city which he has chosen for his permanent place of abode.
On November 13, 1884, Mr. Weaver was united in the bonds of wed-
lock with Clara E. Kelso, of Walla Walla, Washington, daughter of John
and ^lartha Kelso, the father a successful fruit grower of that state and a
leading and well known citizen of the beautiful valley in which he lives.
Mrs. Wea\-er liore her husband three children and departed this life
March 4, 1892, and on November 10, 1897, the subject contracted a marriage
with Anna M. Neff, the union being blessed with two offspring.
Paul Kelso Weaver, the subject's oldest child by his first wife, was born
December 18, 1886, received his education in the public schools of Lafayette
and Purdue University, standing among the first of his class in the electrical
course. He is now connected with the signal service of the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company with headquarters at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
Steel M.. the second of the family, was bom October 12, 1888. grad-
uated from the high school of Walla Walla. \\'ashingtnn. in 1907. and foi
some time past has be°n in Phoenix, Arizona, on account of his health.
Carlton H., whose birth occurred on March 8. 1891, was educated in
the schools of Lafayette and is now learning the drug business with the Hogan
Drug Company of this city. The children born of Mr. Weaver's second
marriage are Helen and Catherine, aged six and four years respectively, both
bright and interesting and adding much to the happiness of the home circle.
On state and national issues Mr. Weaver is a Republican, but in matters
local he is liberal, voting for the candidates best qualified for the oftices to
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 741
which they aspire, regardless of party ties. He is a Methodist in his rehgious
faith, and with his family belongs to the Trinity Methodist Episcopal church,
Lafayette, to the support of which he is a liberal contributor. A man of strong
individuality and well endowed mentality, Mr. Weaver enjoys to a marked
degree the esteem and confidence of the people of his city and as a citizen is
in touch with all enterprises and movements having for their object the
advancement of the comnuniity and the welfare of his fellowmen. Affable
in manner, kind in word and deed, he has made many warm friends since
coming to Lafayette and his popularity is bounded only by the limits of his
acquaintance.
JEREML\H PHILIP KOOXSE. M. D.
The subject of this sketch hailed from the state concerning which Chaun-
cey Depew in one of his after-dinner speeches paraphrased Shakespeare as
follows : "Some men are born great, some achieve greatness, and some come
from Ohio." He was born April 24, 1837, in the old city of Wells ville. which
for a number of years previous had been the home of his parents, Mr. and
Mrs. Philip Koonse, natives of Pennsylvania, being one of a family of five
children. After laying the foundation of his intellectual training in the schools
of his native town, young Koonse pursued his studies in other institutions of
a higher grade and after reaching the years of manhood added still further
to his scholastic knowledge by attending from time to time various colleges
in his own and other states. With this excellent preparation, he engaged in
educational work, teaching for some time in the schools of Wellsville, Ohio,
and as principal of the high school in St. Louis, Missouri, later moving to
Williamsport, Indiana, where he was afterward elected superintendent of the
public schools of Warren county. The Doctor earned an enviable record as
a teacher, but, not caring to devote his life to the work, he selected medicine
as the profession best suited to his taste and inclination. Beginning his pro-
fessional studies in Philadelphia, he was in due time graduated from a well-
known medical college of that city, after which he located at Lafayette and
snon built up a lucrative practice and acquired an honorable standing among
the leading physicians of this part of the state.
After devoting some time to the general practice Doctor Koonse turned
his attention to several special lines of treatment, in connection with which he
also made a critical study of drugs and their effects upon the human system,
his researches enabling him to discover specifics and remedies for certain
742 PAST AND PRESENT
chronic diseases and ruinous practices, n(;itably the morphine haJjit. in tlie treat-
ment of which he met with remarkable success. Doctor Koonse was always
a student and his various discoveries resulted in untold good to suffering
humanity. Indeed he was properly called a benefactor of his race, in view of
the fact that hundreds of hopelessly afflicted mortals through the effect of his
remedies were redeemed from body-polluting and soul-degrading habits and
restored to their normal strength and vigor. He died April 17, 1906, and in
his death the entire community suffered a distinct loss.
Virginia Fillinger, wife of Doctor Koonse, was born June i, 1845, near
Richmond, Virginia, being the third of eight children in the family of Henry
and Nancy Fillinger, of whom two of her brothers and two sisters are still
living. The marriage of Doctor and Mrs. Koonse, which was solemnized at
Bowling Green, Indiana, on the 2d day of August, 1863, was blessed with
three offspring, Emma, the oldest, whose birth occurred July 27, 1870, dying
when two years of age. Harry E. Koonse, the second of the family, who was
born June 12, 1872, received his educntion in Lafayette, and is now one of
the citv's most efficient decorators. Alice \"., the youngest of the Doctor's
children, now the wife of Dr. Edgar E. Ouivey, a dentist of Fort Wayne,
was born on the 7th day of August, 1874.
Mrs. Koonse is a lady of wide intelligence, varied culture and strong
character and nobly assisted her husband in all of his endeavors, and much
of his success was due to her judicious counsel and advice. She is a reader
and observer, keeps in touch with the trend of events, is deeply interested
in all lines of educational work, and the various charitable and humanitarian
enterprises and projects of the city find in her a w-arm sympathizer and
able and liberal helper. She retains to a marked degree her bodily and mental
faculties, possesses a verv retenti\'e memory and. although past her sixty-fifth
year, her sense of sight is such that she has never resortetl to the use of
glasses. Doctor Koonse was a memlier of the Methodist Episcopal church,
of Lafayette, and the deep interest he manifested in all good work, ga\-e him
a strong and wholesome influence in religious circles. Mrs. Koonse is an
earnest worker of the same church. Socially she is esteemed and her home.
at Xo. 1 1 14 North Twelfth street, is a favorite resort of many of the best
people of the city.
REV. GEORGE MICHAEL SCHUMM.
Forty-three years, or largely over a generation, is a long time to devote
to anv one calling. Init this measures the period of the ministry of the popular
nastor of St. James German Lutheran church of Lafayette. It has been a
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 743
hard-working career, tilled with the usual disappdintnients that mark all hu-
man effort, but there is much along the way to show that the labors of this
good man have not been in vain. His work at Lafayette alone, if there were
nothing else to his credit, would be enough to stamp ^Nlr. Schumm as a
fruitful worker in his Master's vineyard. The family is of German origin.
George Scliumm, the elder, emigrated from Wurttemberg, Germany, at a
period so early as to rank with the pioneers of Ohio, his settlement in \'an
Wert county occurring as far back as 1838. He owned over three hundred
acres of land at one time and was one of the influential citizens in his section
of the Buckeye state. He married Mary Pflueger, by whom he had thirteen
children, the survivors being as follow's : Frederick, a farmer of Mercer
county, Ohio; Louis, a lumberman of Laporte, Lidiana; Henry, occupant of
the old home farm, and Martin, a resident of Xew York city. George j\L
Schumm. the other child belonging to the list of survivors, was born in
\'an Wert county, Ohio, December 20, 1841. He was reared on the farm
and learned hi.w to handle the hoe, swing the sc_\the, use the ax with skill and
do all the other things expected of a farmer's boy. The education proved
useful in many ways, chiefly by strengthening his constitution and teaching
him how to do useful things. He got a good academical education in the
parochial school of his religious denomination and after his confirmation in
1856 entered the German Lutheran College at Ft. Wa)ne. Three years were
spent in this institution, followed by a four-year course at Concordia Univer-
sity in St. Louis. His graduation from this institution in 1865 was almost
coincident with h.is entrance into the ministry, as he began pastoral work in
the same )ear, which has continued up to the present.
In 1807 Mr. Schumm married Amelia iNlarkworth. of Perry county,
Missouri, by whom he had three children, Martha, Adolph, foreman of the
testing department of an electrical establishment, and Emma, wife of Paul
Wangerin, of Lafayette. Mrs. Schumm having died in 1872. ]\Ir. Schumm
was married in 1874 to Charlotte Breuninger, by whom the children are as
follows : Otto Schumm, a minister at Brownstown, Indiana ; Anton, a teacher
in the schools of Cleveland, Ohio ; George, a teacher in the Pittsburg schools ;
Bertha, at home ; Paul, a student of theology in St. Louis. The mother died
in 1905. Mr. Schumm took charge of St. James Lutheran church of Lafay-
ette. ^L^y 15, 1889, and great growth has marked the intervening period. At
the date mentioned there w^ere eighty voting members and three hundred
communicants, which have been increased to one hundred and fifty-three vot-
ing members and five hundred and ninety communicants. Bv virtue of his
oflice as pastor, Mr. Schuium is superintendent of the parochial schools con-
744 PAST AND PRESENT
ducted by his denomination, which estabUshments have on an average one
hundred and twenty-five pupils, under two teachers.- The church itself has
various auxiliary organizations, including the Ladies' Society, the Young
People's Society and the Young Ladies" Society. In every way the church
work has ad\-anced under Mr. Schumm and St. James enjoys high standing.
HON. AMOS WELCH.
The family of this name are descended from a line of North Carolina
Quakers, who refused to bow the knee to Baal, in the shape of hmnan slavery,
got into hot water as a result and eventually had to emigrate North to escajie
the persecutions of Southern fire-eaters. They were a sturdy race, always
on the right side of all moral questions, firm in their convictions and true
to their principles. John \Yelch, one of the old timers in North Carolina,
was born in the eighteenth century in Wales, but went South with other
members of the society of Friends, who sought a residence in the Old North
state, before the slavery question became acute. Turner Welch, a son of
John, was born in Guilford county. North Carolina, February i6, 1790, and
after he grew up studied and practiced medicine in his native community.
At the breaking out of the Indian war in Florida he served as a surgeon in
the army and afterwards migrated to Warren county, Ohio, where he re-
sumed the practice of his profession. August 23, 1819, he married Esther,
daughter of Jonathan Fallis, a native of England, who came to the United
States during the last half of the eighteenth century. He settled first in
Virginia, but later came to Ohio, where he built the first mill ever erected in
Wayne county. In the spring of 1836, Doctor Welch brought his wife and
five children to Tippecanoe county and settled at West Point. He pur-
chased a lot of Wayne township land, and for two years did some farming
while keeping up his professional duties. His wife became so dissatisfied
with the isolated and discouraging conditions that the Doctor yielded to her
entreaties to return to the old Ohio home, where he resumed medical practice
and gradually built up a large business. In 1846, the outlook in Tippecanoe
county having somewhat improved, he came back to West Point and con-
tinued the practice of medicine until his death, in 1875. His wife sui^dved
him two years, passing away in 1877 at what the obituary writers! would
designate as a "ripe old age," being in her eighty-sixth year. This ex-
cellent pioneer couple are still remembered for their sterling qualities, and
AMOS WELCH
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 745
high moral character. Tliey were active members of the society of l*"riends,
devoted to practical charity and all good works, with the result that they
enjoyed not onh' the respect but affection of all who knew them.
Amos Welch, youngest of the eight children of his parents, was born
in \\'ayne township, Tippecanoe county, Indiana, April i6, 1838. He was
eight years old when his father returned to West Point for permanent resi-
dence, and he grew up on the farm with all the experiences of pioneer
boys. He enjoyed but limited opportunities of going to school, all his edu-
cation being obtained by daily intercourse with his fellowmen, with an oc-
casional visit to farmers' institutes and other such gatherings. He remained
with his parents during their old age, caring for their health and looking
after their comfort until the time of their respective deaths. [March 20. 1877,
he married Mary, daughter of John Sherry, one of the first settlers of Tippe-
canoe county. Born in Bourbon county, Iventucky, in 1799, a son of Hugh
Sherry, a native of Pennsylvania, he was taken in childhood to Ohio, where
his parents found a home in Ross county during the remainder of their
lives. John Sherry came to Tippecanoe county in 1828, entered a consider-
able tract of land and was engaged in farming during the rest of his days.
He also owned and conducted a saw and grist-mill, being one of the first
millers of the county, and in the performance of his double occupations he
spent an industrious life, until called away by death in April, 1857. Two
children were born to this union, both deceased. Mr. Welch owns one of
the best farms in the township and has the reputation of being one of the
best farmers. He has been prominent in politics as a local Republican leader
and consulted as a safe; advisor in all party movements. He served one
term in the state legislature in 1895 and gave entire satisfaction to his con-
stituents by his sensible way of attending to business. He is a man of
honesty and integrity, a worthy descendant of his good Quaker parents, and
no man stands higher in the community as a neighbor and citizen.
ALBERT EUGENE SHEARMAN.
This well known and highly respected resident of Lafayette has been
honored with distinctive preferment in various lines of activity and as a
citizen ranks among those whose value and worth to the comniunitv cannot
be lightly estimated. For many years identified with the material interests
and advancement of his adopted city, he has filled with marked abilitv posi-
746 PAST AND PRESENT
tior.s of l:or.oi" and trust r.r.d as a representative > f an important brancli of thi
government service still occupies a prominent place in the public view as well
as in the esteem and contidence of the people with whom he is brought into
contact.
Albert E. Shearman is a nati\e of Oneida county, Xew York, and belongs
to one of the old and widely known families of that part of the Empire state,
another representative of the same family being the Hon. James Schoolcraft
Sherman, a statesman of distinguished ability and, since Alarch, 1909, the
honored A'ice-President of the United States, who is a nephew of the subject.
W'illett H. Shearman, father of the subject, was born Januarv 31. 1792.
at South Kingston, Rhode Island, and by occupation was a farmer and manu-
facturer. By his first wife, Catharine Ann Schoolcraft, a native of Xew York
state and a daughter of Col. Lawrence Schoolcraft, a soldier of the Revolu-
tion, he had eight children, and his second marriage, which was solemnized
with Emily Church, of Oneida county, resulted in a like number of children,
his family of si.xteen children consisting of seven daughters and nine sons.
of whom the following survive: Helen M. Shearman, of Allendale. Xew
Jersey, who has reached the age of eighty-two years ; ^lesdames Josephine
Foote and Angeline Sullivan, twins, who haxe passed the seventieth milestone
on life's journey; Eben R. Shearman, aged sixty-five, who, with the two sisters
mentioned, lives in Elgin, Illinois, he being connected with the watch factory
in that city; Albert E., who is next to the youngest, the youngest survivor of
the large circle that formerly gathered around the parental hearthstone.
Willett H. Shearman died in 1868, at the age of nearly seventy-seven years,
and his wife, Emily, mother of the suljject, was called to her final rest in the
same year, her age at the time of her tlemise being about sixty-two years.
Albert E. Shearman was born in the town of A'ernon, Xew York. July
16, 1842, and spent his early life in his native county, devoting the years of
his boyhood and youth to the practical duties of the farm and attending the
public schools at intervals in the meantime. His educational privileges in-
cluded the usual studies of the schools of Vernon and an academic course at
the same place, and at the age of eighteen he began teaching, which he fol-
lowed until his twentieth year, when he exchanged the school room for the
more active and strenuous duties of army life. His military experience began
in August. 1862, with his enlistment from Rome, X'^ew York, in Company A.
One Hundred and Seventeenth Regiment Xew York A'olunteer Infantry,
under Capt. George W. Brigham, who was subsequently killed at the battle
of Drury's Blufif, the commander of the regiment being Col. William R.
Pease, formerly a captain in the United States regular army and an ofiicer of
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 747
great bravery and daring. Air. Shearman was with his regiment in some of
the most noted campaigns in the siege of Fort Sumter along the Potomac,
and in the vicinity of Richmond, and shared with his comrades the horror
of battle on a number of bloody fields, including the engagement of Chapin."s
Farm, and the almost continuous fighting which took place ere the final sur-
render of the Confederate forces and the collapse of the rebellion at Appomat-
tox. In August, 1864, while in front of Petersburg, ^iv. Shearman was
severely wounded in the left leg by the fragment of a shell and on another
occasion he received a painful though not serious injury by being struck in
the side by a musket or rifle ball, and on the 29th of September, 1864, while
in front of the Confederate capital, he had the misfortune of falling into the
liands of the enemy and for some time thereafter was incarcerated in Libby
prison, being sent from there to Belle Isle, and later to Salisbury, North
Carolina, spending about six months in these prisons ere his exchange was
effected.
Mr. Shearman was mustered out of the service at Albany. New York,
in June, 1865, and, returning home in a weakened condition resulting from
his prison experience and injuries, he suffered greatly during the several
months ensuing, — indeed his recovery was despaired of by his relatives and
friends who did everything within their power to minister to his comfort.
In due time, however, thanks to a naturally strong constitution, he regained
his normal vigor and as soon as practicable thereafter entered Eastman's
Commercial College at Poughkeepsie, New York, where he completed the
full course and fitted himself for an active business career, to which his sub-
sequent life has been devoted. Coming to Lafayette, Indiana, in the fall of
1866, he accepted the position of cashier in the Wabash railroad freight office,
and after two years in that capacity entered the employ of the Monon railroad,
with which he continued for a period of eighteen years, three of which were
spent in Chicago as agent, his headquarters the remainder of the time being in
Lafayette.
Severing his connection with the Monon in 1886, Mr. Shearman again
entered the service of the Wabash road, and during the ensuing four years
was an agent on the National Dispatch line of fast freight at Chicago. Re-
signing the position at the expiration of the time indicated, he returned to
Lafayette and became assistant postmaster, under B. ^Vilson Smith, which
place he held four years, and then entered the city treasurer's ofBce. where he
liad an important position during two administrations of four years each, and
was engaged for a third, but in July, 1902, was induced to return to the
postoffice where he has since been assistant postmaster, serving first under
748 PAST AXD PRESENT
James L. Caldwell and. since the expiration of his term, under Thomas W.
Burt, the present incumbent.
Mr. Shearman has been in the employ of the United States postal service
for a period of eleven years, during which time he has become familiar with
every detail of the office and achieved an honorable reputation as an exceed-
ingly capable and judicious official, enjoying to a marked degree the confi-
dence of his superior and the esteem of the public. He likewise stood high
in the regard of the raifi-oad companies with which he was so long identified,
filled worthily a number of important trusts while in that branch of service
and his record in the various public positions to which called is above the
suspicion of reproach or dishonor. Aside from his regular duties, he takes
an active interest in military matters and since 1890 has been influential
as a member of John A. Logan Post. No. 3. Grand Army of the Republic, in
which he now holds the title of past commander ; he is also identified with
Encampment No. 122. Union \'eteran Legion, being a past colonel, and
Tippecanoe Lodge. No. 55, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
]Mr. Shearman, on the 6th of January, 1875, was united in the bonds of
wedlock with Flora McKee Linn, daughter of Austin P. and Olive (DeVault)
Linn, the father a Kentuckian by birth, and one of the old settlers, coming
here from Crawfordsville in 1827, a well known banker and business man
of Lafavette, who died in 1865. The mother was a native of Ohio, who
came here with her father, Lemuel DeVault, and family, in 1835. Mrs. Linn
died in 1888. They were both of Revolutionary ancestry. Mrs. Shearman is
the only survivor of the two children born to this couple. Mr. and Mrs.
Shearman have no children of their own, but have always been interested in
the welfare of the young people of their city, who hold them in high esteem.
A man of strong individuality and unquestioned probity, Mr. Shearman
has attained a due measure of success in the affairs of life, and the various
positions w^ith which he has been honored from time to time bear witness of
its ability, close application and mature judgment displayed in all of his
undertakings. A gentleman of quiet demeanor, more meditative and thought-
ful than given to much speech, he is nevertheless affable and cheerful in social
circles and, while not especially seeking friendships, he possesses the faculty
of drawing friends about him and binding them to him as with bands of steel.
His influence has ever been exercised in behalf of right and his career proves
that the only true success in this life is that which is accomplished by personal
effort and consecutive industry. The record of such a man cannot fail to be
an inspiration to the young of this and future generations and it is with much
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 749
satisfaction that the foregoing brief epitome of his career and tribute to his
worth as a man and citizen are accorded a place in this voUime.
The home of Mr. and ]\Irs. Shearman is at No. 665 Main street, where
Mrs. Shearman was born.
JOHN ALLEN HILL.
John A. Hill, dealer in wall paper and one of the leading business men
cf Lafayette, was born nine miles northwest of the city, in Tippecanoe county,
May II, 1865. His father, Aaron S. Hill, a native of Hamilton county, Ohio,
came to this part of Indiana as early as 1841 and later w-as engaged in the
railroad service for a number of years with the Wabash and Monon lines.
He married in this county Martha F. Jennings, a daughter of Able C. Jen-
nings, a prosperous farmer and representative citizen, and in due time became
the father of four children, namely: \\'illiam F., a business man of Lafay-
ette; Carrie M., who is single and her father's housekeeper; Charles, deceased,
and John A., the subject of this sketch. The mother of these children is
deceased and for a number of years the father has been living a retired life,
being the possessor of a sufficiency of th.is world's goods to place him in
independent circumstances.
On moving to Lafayette in 1864, Aaron S. Hill accepted the position of
engineer with the old Potter, Daggert & Martin woolen mills. Later he entered
the service of the Sample pork house in the same capacity and, as previously
stated, devoted a number of years to railroading. He was a soldier during
the last six months of the Civil war in Company C, One Hundred and Fiftieth
Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, but by reason o"f ill health was obliged
to spend three months in the hospital, consequently saw but little active service
in the field.
When John A. Hill was a year old, his parents mo\-ed to Lafavette and
his early life differed in no important respect from that of the majority of
city lads. He attended the public schools about the usual time and at the age
of thirteen acquired his first knowledge of business afifairs as clerk in a
grocery store. .After a year or two in that capacity, he entered the emplnv of
a stave manufacturer, in whose factory he labored until his eighteenth vear.
when he engaged in the wall paper business with William \'. Stnv. whose
plnce nil the iirrth side of the public square was the largest and most importnnt
establishment of the kind in the citv.
750 PAST AND PRESENT
January i, 1900, Mr. Hill started in the same line of trade tor himself
on the corner of Tenth and Main streets and during the nine years that he
has been at the head of the Cbtablislimeat his business has grown rapidly in
volume until he is now recognized as the leading wall paper dealer and deco-
rator in Lafayette. By strict attention to the demands of the trade and always
doing high grade work, his patronage has taken a very wide range including
not only the leading people of his own city but a large and growing business
in a number <:if other towns. This stead)- increase has rendered necessary
the enlargement of his facilities from time ti) time and additions to his force
of workmen and clerks, six of whom are now required to look after the
interests of the trade and do the large amcnmt of decorating which he makes
a specialty.
Mr. Hill is a man of retined tastes and as an artistic decorator has few
equals and no superiors. The high standard of his work is its best recom-
mendation and the chief advertisement of his establishment and the large
number of fine homes in Lafayette and other cities, besides public halls, lodge
rooms, etc.. here and elsewhere, which he has decorated antl beautilied bear
eloquent testimony to his etificiency and skill as a master of his craft.
Mr. Hill is not only an enterprising business man deeply inte'^ested in
the success of the line of trade to which he is devoting his time and attention,
but is also a public-spirited citizen who keeps in touch with the grnwth of
his city and county and encourages all means for the advancement of the
community, socially and morally. He stands for law and order, uses his in-
fluence on the right side of every public issue and has always had the best
interests of his fellowmen at heart. He is an acti\e member of the Independ-
ent Order of Odd Fellriws and all of its branches: also belongs to the .\ncieni
Order of Druids and in politics is an earnest supporter of the Republicm
party, but not a partisan in the sense of seeking office or aspiring to leu'.er-
ship. Religiously, he was reared under the influence of the Christian clun-cb
and still subscribes to the plain, simple teaching of that large and growing
body, being an attendant of the church in T,afayette and interested in tlie wi rk
under its auspices.
On October 19, 1888, ^Ir. Hill and Martha V. Shores, of Xew \»v]<.
daughter of Dr. William F, and ;\Iary Shores, at the time indicated residents
of Tipton county, Indiana, were united in the holy bonds of wedlock; the union
being blessed with two offspring, a daughter who died in infancy .and a son.
Arnold H. Hill, who was born June 18, 1891, and who is now his father's
efficient assistant.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 75 1
I\Ir. Hill is a gentleman ot pleasing presence, and stands high not only in
the commercial world but in the confidence and esteem of the people of his
city, regardless of class or condition. He has a full, well developed atliletic
figure, a frank, open countenance, which, with his affable manner and the
habit of always looking on the bright side of things, make him an interesting
and welcome accession to the soci.d circles in which he move.--. Energetic,
enterprising and full of business, he has made his intiuence felt in the city
of his residence and stands well to tlie front among its successful men and
representative citizens.
JOSEPH ABDON.
Among the bra\-e sons of ilie Xorth who sacrificed so much during the
dark days Cif the sixties to save the national Union and thereby transmit to
posterity a glorious Repuljlic — the greatest in the history of the earth — v.'as
the late Joseph Aljdon, a man remembered for his genial disposition and
his high sense of honor, \\h< was Imrn in 1843 '" Dearborn county, Indiana.
He received a fairly gond cummdn-'^chnol education for those early days and
assisted with the work about the home place. When he reached maturity he
engaged for the most part in huckstering and as a cooper for a livelihood.
\\'hen the Civil war began he was quick to respond to the call for troops and
enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment Indiana
Vi;lunteer Infantry, and was made corporal. He performed well his duties
during that great struggle and recei\-ed an honorable discharge.
Mr. Abdiin was married to Airs. Alar)- Jane Kerr and to this union
three chiklren were liorn, one son and two daughters, as follows: George
Abdon. whdse birth occurred August 5. 1866, married Clara \\'eir, and he is
engaged as a mechanic in Fort \\'ayne, Indiana: Eva Abdon, born February i,
1873, is a stenographer and chief clerk at the Sterling Alanufacturing Com-
pany's plant of Lafayette: Anna L. .\bdon, born September 2, 1875, m^n'ied
Charles Bechtold. Xo children were born to them. She was a high school
graduate and her death occurred on September 28, 1896.
Joseph Abdon died October 26, 1893, after an active and useful life.
Mrs. Mary Jane Abdon was first married to Derrick Kerr, wlio was bom
in Dearborn county, Indiana, the wedding occurring Alav 12, 1850. One
son was born of this union, William D. Kerr, whose vear of birth was 1861.
He WPS educated in the city schools, and he learned the iilumber"s trade, which
lie now successfully follows in Lafayette, bis place of business being located
752 PAST AND PRESENT
on Union street. He married Fannie G. W'orkhoff, April 17, 1886, and they
are the parents of two ciiildren; one son, Albert Kerr, born April 11, 1887,
is a graduate of Purdue University in .pharmacy : the other child, Gladys
Kerr, is now (1909) fourteen years old and is making a good record in the
public schools.
Derrick Kerr was also a soldier in the Union army, having enlisted in
defense of the flag early in the war, in Company D, in an Indiana regiment.
His death occurred in Alay, 1862, while he was on his way home from the
front, dying in a St. Louis hospital of the measles.
Airs. Abdon lives in a neat and comfortable home at Xo. 13 14 Green-
bush street, Lafayette. Although she is a woman who has known sorrow and
has done much hard work, she is uncomplaining, optimistic and of comely
personal appearance. She is a member of the Trinity Methodist Episcopal
church, as are also her children, and she receives a pension of twelve dollars
per month. This family stand high among their neighbors, having always
borne reputations exemplary in every respect.
JOHN W. SKINNER.
He to whom this sketch is dedicated is a member of one of the oldest
and most honored pioneer families of Tippecanoe county, and there is par-
ticular interest attached to a study of his life record, owing to the fact he has
forged his way to the front by reason of an innate ability and personal char-
acteristics that seldom fail to win the goal sought.
John W. Skinner, the popular ex-commissioner of Tippecanoe county,
is a native of the same, having been Ixirn in Lauramie township. September
9, 1855, the son of Thomas and Eliza (Conarroe) Skinner, the former a
native of Hamilton county, Indiana, where his birth occurred in 181 1. He
came to Tippecanoe county about 1829 and pla^xd well his part in the sub-
sequent development of the locality, which was then practically a wilder-
ness. He was industrious and thrifty and became a well-to-do farmer for
those days. He came by this naturally, for he grew up on a farm, and also
learned the carpenter's trade. He started with practically nothing, but en-
tered one hundred and twenty acres of land from the government at one
dollar and twenty-five cents per acre. Having prospered, he added to this
until he became the owner of four hundred acres, which he managed in a
manner that stamped him as a man of soundness of judgment and he was
JOHN W. SKINNER
THOMAS SKINNER
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 753
intluential in his community, lieing regarded as a man of strict integrity.
He remained on his farm the rest of his Hfe, dying :\Iay 23, 1892. He was
a Republican in politics. He and his wife were the parents of two children,
John W. Skinner, of this review, and Joseph, who died when ten years of
age.
John W. Skinner was reared on his father's farm, where he assisted with
tlie work about the place and he quite naturally chose farming for his life
wijrk. He received a good practical education in the local common schools
and at Stockwell.
Mr. Skinner was married June 14, 1876, to Flora May \\'arwick, who
was liorn in Tippecanoe county, the daughter of John and Sarah ^^'arwick.
The W'arwicks have long l^een a prominent family here. ]\Irs. Skinner re-
ceived a fairly good education in the common schools and she proved to be
a very faithful and congenial helpmeet to her husband, who owes no little
of his success to her counsel. Their home was blessed by the birth of two
children. Jesse R. and Roy L. ; but a deep gloom was cast over the home in
1(505 by the tragic death of the latter, being a victim of a railroad accident.
The first named son, a young man of marked Inisiness ability, is married
and is making his home with his parents. Airs. John \\'. Skinner was
called to her rest in 1892. and in 1894 Mr. Skinner was married to Martha
Ellis, who was born and reared in Tippecanoe county, the daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. John Ellis, an old and highly respected family. Mrs. Skinner is
a woman of affability and presides over her home with a grace that has won
hosts of warm friends. ]\Ir. Skinner's second marriage has resulted in the
birth of one child. Ward E.. who is twelve years old at this writing and is
a bright and interesting lad.
I\Ir. Skinner is the owner of one thousand acres of as valuable land as
can be found in this favored section of the Hoosier state, and none is bet-
ter improved, for he takes a delight in keeping hisi farm up to twentieth
century standards. He is an admirer of good stock and has always kept some
fine breeds of all kinds, especially cattle and horses. His land is easilv worth
one hundred dollars per acre. Besides this farm, Mr. Skinner owns one-
fifth interest in two thousand five hundred acres of valuable timber land in the
state of Mississippi. He is one of the stockholders in the Farmers and
Traders' Bank at Lafayette, in which he is a director. For the past twelve
years he has not engaged in active farming, but spends his time overseeing
his large interests. He makes his home in Stockwell, where he has one of
the most attractive residences in this localitv, being of beautiful architectural
(48)
754 PAST AND PRESENT
design, modern in every detail, elegantly furnished and surrounded by well-
kept grounds and substantial outbuildings.
In politics Mr. Skinner is a Republican and he has long taken some-
thing of an active interest in local party affairs. He was elected commis-
sioner from the third district and very ably served in that capacity for two
terms, or six years. Fraternally, he is a member of Summit Lodge, Knights
of Pythias.
Personally, Air. Skinner is a man whom it is a delight to meet, court-
eous, unassuming, kind and generous, and while giving his chief attention
to his business, he finds time and opportunity to take an interest in matters
pertaining to the progress and growth of his community, county and state,
keeping abreast of the times in all questions of vital import and being re-
garded by all as a leader in the locality honored by his residence.
FRED REULE.
For a number of years the subject of this sketch has been identified with
the business interests of Lafayette, during which he has made for himself
a place of honor in commercial and social circles, his life being one of signal
positiveness and his integrity above the suspicion of reproach. As his name
indicates, Fred Reule is of Teutonic ancestry and traces his family history
through a long line of antecedents to Germany where his parents, George
Reule and Caroline Wooster, were born and reared. Both came to America
in their youth and located at Lafayette where, in due time, their marriage
occured, the union resulting in the birth of one son, the subject of this re-
view, and two daughters, the older of whom, Caroline, is the widow of the
late Charles W. Warrenburg, of Lafayette, and the mother of two children,
George B. and Clara. A. Mary, the second daughter, is unmarried and lives
with her brother, whose home she manages and to whose interest and comfort
she ministers in various ways. George Reule engaged in the hardware trade at
Lafayette a number of years ago and was long one of the enterprising and
successful business men of the city. Honest and upright in his dealings and
energetic in all of his undertakings, he built up a lucrative patronage and at
the time of his death, in 1891, was a conspicuous figure in the commercial
circles of the city, with an honorable reputation as an intelligent and
progressive citizen. Mrs. Reule. who sur\'ived her husband, departed this life
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 755
in 1909, aged se\-enty-six years, five months and some days, Mr. Reule being
in his fifty-eighth year when called to the unseen world.
Fred Reule, whose birth occurred in Lafayette on the 21st day of Feb-
ruary, i860, was reared in his native city, and after attending the public
schools of the same until acquiring a pretty thorough knowledge of the
branches therein taught, took a two-years course in a commercial college
with the object in view of fitting himself for a business life. Prior to the
completion of his education, he obtained a valuable practical experience under
the direction of his father, whose place of business he entered at the age of
sixteen and with whom he continued until the latter's death, when he entered
into the hardware business upon his own responsibility.
Mr. Reule's business career has been eminently successful and he is now
proprietor of the largest and best known establishment of the kind in the
city. The large and well conducted building, which fronts one hundred and
fifteen feet on Columbia street and forty-four feet on Second street, is four
stories high with a large basement and is admirably adapted to the purposes
for which intended, the different floors being stocked with everything in the
hardware line, in addition to which the proprietor deals extensively in farm
implements and machinery, gas engines of various types, buggies and other
vehicles, harness, binders, twine, cement and building materials, all of which
he buys in carload lots and disposes of both wholesale and retail. The entire
second floor of the mammoth establishment is stocked with the celebrated
Columbus buggies, which are sold in large numbers, and he also handles the
J. I. Case threshers and engines, which he purchases by the carload and for
which there has been a steadily growing demand during the past eight or
ten years. He also carries a full line of fine office furniture, fixtures and
many other articles which the limits of this brief sketch w-ill not admit of
mention, his stock of all kinds being full and complete, so as to supply the
growing demands of the trade and requiring to handle it the services of eight
experienced salesmen, besides an adequate force to look after the various
clerical departments. In the building up and management of this large and
far-reaching enterprise, Mr. Reule deserves great credit and the ease with
w^hich every department is conducted demonstrates business ability of a high
order and a method and foresight as rare as they are admirable.
I\Ir. Reule has never assumed the duties and responsibilities of the mar-
riage relation, nevertheless he maintains a beautiful and attractive home at
No. 1 1 18 North street, where, as already indicated, his sister manages his
household and looks after his domestic afifairs, the place being well known to
the best social circles of the city and a hospitable retreat for the kindred spirits
756 PAST AND PRESENT
who from time to time are accustumed to wliile away many pleasant hours
with tlie kindly host and hostess. In his religious belief the subject is a
Lutheran, to which church his ancestors belonged and in the truths «if which
he was early trained by pious and devoted parents. He is a liberal ccmtributor
to its various lines of work besides being a generous donor to all charitable
and humanitarian enterprises.
In personal appearance, Mr. Reule is tall, well built and of a pleasing"
address, modest in manners, deliberate in conversation and methodical in all
he does and says. He impresses all with whc:m he comes into contact as a
man of intelligence, good judgment and fdrce — in brief, as a typical German-
American citizen of a class to which our country is greatly indebted for its
material progress and social advancement.
REV. -MICHAEL J. BYRXE.
The popular pastor of St. Ann"s has had a varied career in the priesthood
and it is only necessary to examine into his achievements with his numerous
charges to find that his life has been one of usefulness and good works. He
is of Irish origin and possesses all the characteristics of his nationality. His
father. Peter Byrne, came from the historic Emerald Isle as far back as the
earlv thirties and for a time worked as a day laborer in Cincinnati. While
there he met and married Mary Hannagan. an Irish girl, then a resident of
Newport, Kentucky. Shortly afterward they located in Butler county. Ohio.
where Peter bought a small tract of land from the government, to which he
added by subsequent purchases until his holdings amounted to a full section.
Later he removed to Lafayette, where he died in October, 1906. at the ripe
old age of eighty-nine years. His six children consisted of four sons and two
daughters, all of whom are living. Michael J. is at Lafayette; Dennis is
in the waterworks department at Chicago: John is a sergeant of police in the
same citv : Paul, who resides at Anderson. Indiana, is employed with a
Chicago firm: Catherine is a sister of the Order <if Xotre Dame ant! teaches
at St. Xnvier's in Cincinnati; Mary is the wife of a prosperous blacksmith at
Sidney, Ohio.
^lichael J. Byrne, eldest of the family, was born in Butler county. Ohio,
October 18, 1838, and remained on the farm until the completion of his
sixteenth year. By this time he had obtained sufificient education to teach and
after devoting a year to this pursuit he obtained a life license at the age of
seventeen, but nnlv used it for one more vear in school work. .After a rear
TIPPECANOE COUNTV^ IND. 757
ill the commercial course at St. Mary's Institute, in Dayton. Ohio, he olnained
a degree in 1876 and then entered the preparatory seminary at St. Mary's in
Cincinnati. Remaining there until 1S77, he spent the following five years
at the University of Niagara and was graduated in the classical course in 1883
with the degree of blaster of Arts. Tw(_i years in the philosophical course at
Baltimore (iMar}-land) College gained for him the degree of Bachelor of
Arts and, after finishing in theology at St. \'incent's. Beatty. Pennsylvania,
he was ordained June JQ. 1888. His first work was as assistant pastor in
the cathedral at Ft. Wayne. Indiana. In 1891 he was given pastoral charge
of St. Mary's in East Chicago, and was the principal factor in building the
present church at that place. In 1895 he was assigned to the Sacred Heart
church at Whiting, Indiana, and purchased the land on which were built the
church, St. Michael's hall, the Sisters' academy and school and the parochial
residence. He also bought property and built a Imuse and church fur the first
Slavonian parish in the diocese. Transferred to the cathedral at Ft. Wayne,
he remained there until the condition of the parish required his presence at
Union City, Indiana, and to that point he was sent to remain two years. In
1901 he was transferred to St. Ann's in Lafayette and since then has accept-
ably filled that important charge. There has been great progress binder Father
Byrne's energetic management. The church building" has been completed,
additional property bought, many ini])ni\ements brought about, and a new
residence constructed in 1908. When he took charge, the congregation was
twelve thousand dollars in deln. but all nf this has been paid, while the mem-
bershi]) has been increased fmm one hundred tn oxer fmir hundred families.
Father Byrne is a menilier of the Ancient Ortler of Hiljernians and wa> direct-
or during three dift'erent terms. At ])resent he is chap<lain for the Indiana
branch of the order and chairman nf the cnmmittee on Irish hist-ry. He be-
longs to the Catholic Knights of St. John, the Tippecanoe countv board of
charities and corrections and serves as a member of the police board without
pay. The congregation of St. Ann's is much attached to Father Byrne, whose
kindly manners, sympathetic nature, readiness to help those in need and un-
selfish devotion to all good causes ha\-e endeare<l him to the whole population
of Lafavette,
JOSEPH CHARLES .VRTHL^R,
Perhaps no department of agriculture in all its numerous branches calls
for the exercise of higher science or more delicate skill than that relating to
the physiology and pathology of plants. It is comparativelv a modern science
75^ PAST AND PRESENT
and while embraced under the general head of botan)', has a distinctive twen-
tieth-century flavor. The successful prosecution of such work demands highly
trained minds, educated by long study both in theory and practice, besides
being possessed of a natural adaptability for the pursuit. In other words, it
must be a scholar of the first grade, with ability akin to genius, to give the
best results in what is regarded as a department of the first importance in the
domain of agricultural science as applied to the vegetable world. Some de-
tails concerning the accomplished gentleman who tills this chair at Purdue
University will prove acceptable and interesting. The family is of New York
origin. Charles Arthur, who was a farmer and merchant, married Anna
Allen, by whom he had two children. Joseph Charles Arthur, the only son,
was born at Lowville, New York, January ii, 1850, but obtained his early
education in the schools of Iowa. Before reaching his majority he entered
the Iowa Agricultural College at Ames, and was a graduate in the first class
of that institution in 1872. His degree of Bachelor of Science then obtained
was followed in 1877 by the supplementary degree of Master of Science. His
subsequent educational career embraced terms at Johns Hopkins University
in 1878-9, at Harvard in 1879, and at Cornell in 1886, where he obtained
the degree of Doctor of Science. During the interval between the last two
dates mentioned, he was at the experiment station at Geneva, New York, and
in 1896 he spent some time at Bonn University. In 1887 he came to Purdue
University as professor of vegetable physiology and pathology and was ap-
pointed botanist of the Indiana experiment station in 1888. In 1886 he was
sectional secretary of the American Association for Advancement of Science,
assistant general secretary in 1887, and vice-president in 1895. and president
of the Botanical Society of America in 1902. In 1904 he was one of the
principal speakers at the International Congress of Arts and Sciences at St.
Louis. He has held numerous important positions in connection with various
learned societies, including the academies of Iowa, Philadelphia and Indiana,
of which last he was president in 1893. INIuch of his work has been tlexoted
to fungous diseases of cultivated crops and plant rusts.
Professor .^r'hrr is a man of nervous temperament, f|uick perception, a
hard and persistent worker, with the fine touch and intuiti(in which indicate
the superior mind. He is not inclined to talk much, but what he says is
always to the point and any one interested in his special branch of knowledge
after an hour's talk with him will go av.ay feeling that he has been greatly
benefitted. Professor Arthur is afTable in manner, sincere in his intercourse,
direct in method, and a profound student in the difficult branch of science to
which he has devoted his life. Purdue University was fortunate in securing
TIPPECANOE COUNTY^ IND. 759
his services, and the farmtrs and market gardeners of Indiana as weU as all
others who cume in contact with the vegetable world will in thiie get the
benefit of the work done so silently and efifectively in the laboratory at Purdue.
The bulletins sent out from time to time convey useful knowledge of various
kinds and those who heed will be able to escape luss, as well as learn much
concerning plant life which will be useful in their business.
JOHN F. BURLEY.
The state of Ohio has sent many of its best citizens to the western coun-
try who have transformed it from a wilderness to a country equal in every
way to the great Buckeye commonwealth. Of this number of worthy citizens
who came to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, the name of John F. Burley should
be mentioned. He was born in Greenville, Darke county, Ohio, January ii,
1830, the son of Thornton H. and Mary A. Burley, both natives of Virginia.
John F. Burley came to this city in an early day and was successful in estab-
lishing a good home here and leaving a competency for his family. His
death occurred May 29, 1859.
John F. Burley and ;\Iary A. Bookwalter were married December 4,
1856. She was born in Piqua county, Ohio, September 11, 1829, and her
parents were from Pennsylvania. Her father's name was Jacob Bookwalter
and her mother's maiden name was Juiia .Vnn Shuck. Jacob Bookwalter
was twice married and reared a large family, consisting of fifteen children.
There were seven children by Mary A.'s mother and eight by her step-mother.
fi\-e girls and ten boys; three boys and one girl are now living.
One son was born to Mr. and Mrs. John F. Burley, named Charles F.,
who was born February 21, 1858. He married Minnie Brownley, a native of
Michigan, and they are the parents of three living children, one son and two
daughters. Charles F. Burley is a traveling salesman for Maxwell & Com-
pany, of Chicago, and is a very energetic and faithful business man. He has
a good education and has gained much from the world first-handed which
renders his services valuable to his employers who regard him as one of the
most capable salesman. He has a nice home and a fine family.
Mrs. Mary A. Burley lives in a very comfortable and attractive home at
No. 212 South Si.\th street. Her father was a farmer and she was reared
in a wholesome home atmosphere which she has ever sought
to maintain about her lionie. She was reared in the Meth-
760 PAST AND PRESENT
odist Episcopal faitli. She deliglits to tell of the early days of
Tippecanoe count}-, for she was but thirteen years old when she came here
and she has noted the wondrous changes that have taken place here since then.
When lier parents came here they settled four and one-half miles west of
Logansport in the stone-quarry district. She recalls the operations on the old
canal when she says all the music she heard was the bugles and the frogs
during the spring months. In that community then could be found all kinds
of wild fruits and plenty of game. j\Irs. Bnrley is a well preserved woman
for one of her advanced years. She is a good conversationalist, having a most
excellent memory, recalling e\ents of historic interest in the long ago. She
has always been a hard and constant worker and is yet very active, being alert
in body and mind, and is a good mother and neighbur. She has reared a son
of whom any mother might be proud.
THOMAS G. McKEE.
Prominently identified with the industrial and civic affairs of Tippe-
canoe county is Thomas G. ]\lclvee. who is one of the progressi\e farmers
of this locality, residing on a beautiful farmstead in Lauramie township,
which he has improved and on which he makes a very comfortable living
by reason of his close application and good management : but while he de-
votes the major part of his time t>> his individual aftairs he was ne\er known
to neglect his duties to the public at large. He was born in Franklin county.
Indiana, August 24., 1829, and his long life has been spent within the borders
of the Hoosier state, and now in the golden evening of his days he finds
himself surrounded by the evidences of his former years of actixitv and can
look back upon a career of w hich no one might be ashamed. He is the son
of Eli C. and Xancy (Griffin) ]\IcKee, the latter the daughter of Dr. E.
Griffin, a well-known pioneer physician. Xancy Griffin was born in the state
of Kentucky. \\'hen Eli C. ^IcKee, a rugged, honest pioneer, came to
Lauramie township. Tippecanoe county. Indiana, on September 20. 18,^3,
he found practically a wilderness. Init, being a hard worker, he soon had a
foothold here and established a good home. To y\v. and ^Irs. Eli C. Mckee
eight children w-ere Ijorn. only three of wlmm are now li\-ing. namelv :
Thomas G., of this re\iew. whu is now eighty years of age; Enes. who was
born October t6. 1830: and Samuel.
THOMAS G. McKEE
TIPPECANOE COUNTVj IND. 761
Thomas (i. McKee was two years old when liis parents brought him to
this county. He grew to manhood in Lauramie township, and after reach-
ing the proper age assisted with the work on tlie farm. Owing to the fact
that it was necessary for liim to help clear and improve his father's place
and also because of the primitive schools of those early days, he received only
a limited education, but this has not handicapped him in his business life, for
he has succeeded over all obstacles. ■ He remained at home 'until he was
twenty-one years of age. and. on April i. 1851, he was married to Julia Ann
Abbott, and to this union six children were Isorn. of whom, one daughter,
Harriet A., is the wife of Harvey Tinsley. of Crawfordsville, Indiana.
Thomas C, the oldest son. was born August 12. i860, and died December
2, 1899, and Marquis Morton, the second son, was born December 18, 1863,
and died October 28, 1893, both being laid to rest at Clark's Hill cemetery.
Maud E., born ^Niav 12. 1867, died November 26, 1889. INIrs. McKee, who
was Ixirn June 9, 1829, died Alarch 18, 1889.
]Mr. McKee has devoted his life to farming, and he now has a cijmfort-
al)le home in Lauramie township where his long life has been spent. In
November of 1886 he was elected sheriff of Tippecanoe county, and .so faith-
fully did he serve his fellow citizens in this capacity that they returned him to
the same office in 1888. his official service ending August 25, 1891. He has
always been a Republican and has taken considerable interest in local po-
litical affairs. It is generally acknowledged that he was one of the best
sherififs Tippecanoe county has ever had. .\fter his term of office expired
he purchased a farm, but later sold it and for many years engaged ex-
tensively in stock shipping, of which he made a great success. He is now
practically retired from active life.
Fraternally, Mr. McKee is a member of Miller Lodge, Free and Ac-
cepted Masons, and he has long been a loyal worker in the same, exempli-
fying in his daily life the honest and humanitarian principles which this
noble order seeks to inculcate.
WILLIAM H. H. ^lOORE. M. D.
Among the young physicians of Lafayette, who ha\e their careers before
them, none give brighter promise of success than Doctor Moore. He has all
the prime qualities that usually secure results, as he is abstemious, industrious,
attentive t<> his duties and possessed of the genial address so essential in
762 PAST AND PRESENT
making friends. Those who know him best express their great confidence in
his future, declaring that he is a natural-born physician and full of an ambi-
tion that will brook no failure. Dr. Moore comes from a good family. Henry
H. Moore, his father, was well known in this part of Indiana as a merchant
and farmer. His acquaintance was wide and the esteem for him general.
He married Elizabeth S. Sleeper, with whom he lived happily until his death
in 1906. His widow, a highly esteemed lady, quiet and motherly of disposi-
tion, is an honored resident of West Lafayette.
William H. H. Moore, the only child, was born in Benton county, In-
diana, May 4, 1880, and in youth was given every advantage his parents
could afTord. He attended the schools of Otterbein during his minority and
entered Purdue University in 1899. Four years of hard study was put in
mastering the courses mapped out as desirable and in the spring of 1903 the
diligent student was rewarded with a degree of Bachelor of Science. Having
decided on a professional career, the next step was to matriculate at Rush
Medical College in Chicago, where he went through the departments that
fitted him for graduation in 1906. He obtained practical knowledge to sup-
plement his theoretical acquirements by engaging as interne, or house physi-
cian, at St. Ann's Sanitarium and St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Chicago. To
these positions Dr. Moore devoted sixteen months and then returned to Lafay-
ette to make arrangements for his professional debut. In March, 1908, he
located in the Columbia Flats, opened a nent little office, "hung out his
shingle" and invited the public to enter. There is no doubt but what his
patients will be plentiful in due time. Docti r Moore is a member of the
Tippecanoe County, State and American Medical -Associations and also be-
longs to the Young ]\Ien's Christian Association and the Lincoln Club. He is
quite popular with his associates and enjoys the entree into some of the best
societv the citv afifords.
FRANKLIN GEORGE BAUGHER.
F. G. Baugher is remembered by the people of Lafayette as a business
man of extraordinary perseverance and integrity, having during a very active
life accumulated a competency for his family and then passed on to that
"undiscovered bourne from whence no traveler ever returns," but his influence
is still felt by those \\ ho knew him best, for his life was an example worthy of
emulation in manv respects. He was a native of one of the Eastern states,
and had two lirothers and several sisters. His father came to Lafayette,
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 763
Indiana, and died here. F.G.Baugher came to this city with his uncle,William
Rank, a blacksmith, wlio taught the trade to the subject, wliich lie followed
for a livelihood, becoming known as one of the most skillful workmen at die
forge in the county. His death occurred December 4, 1880.
Franklin G. Baugher and Mary A. Ford were married January 21, 1846.
She was born in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, May 10, 1829, the daughter
of Daniel and Catherine (Koch) Ford, both natives of Pennsylvania. Mr.
Ford was a carpenter by trade and during his life handled some large and
important jobs. He and his wife came to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, when
Mary A., their daughter, was nine years old, the trip from the old home in
the Keystone state being made in wagons overland. This was in 1838 when
most of this part of the country was yet covered with the virgin forests.
Mr. Ford began business in his new home by opening a butcher shop, most
of his trading in this line being done in Cincinnati where he found a ready
market for his products, the shipments being made by canal. Their family
consisted of six children, four girls and two boys, all of whom grew to ma-
turity. Mary A. received her education in the old-time subscription schools.
To Franklin G. and Mary A. Baugher five children were born, one girl
and four boys, three of. whom lived to maturity. Their names follow : Henry,
who is a printer Ijy trade, married Minnie Barker, of Grand Rapids, Michigan,
but no children have been born to them; Frank G., Jr., is married and has
lived in the Reynolds mansion in Lafayette for over twenty years; Walter L.
married Jennie Ward, of this city, and they became the parents of four chil-
dren, an equal number of boys and girls. Walter L. Baugher died in July,
1903. He had followed paper hanging and art decorating for a livelihood,
and was a very skilled workman. Anna Yesler, a niece of Mrs. Baugher, was
horn in Pennsylvania, December 2, 1858. and she came to the Baugher home
when four years old. She takes a delight in caring for ]\Irs. Bauglier. Her
father's name was John Yesler. Sarah E. Baugher was a sister of the suliject
of this sketch.
Mr. and Mrs. Baugher moved into the home now occupied bv Mrs.
Baugher in 1848, two years after their marriage, and during this long lapse
she has noted the development of the locality from a mere hamlet to a great
commercial center. Her children were all born here. It is a substantial brick
house at No. 15 South Sixth street, and the latch-string is alwavs hanging on
the outside for the many friends of ]\trs. Baugher. some of them of long
standing, for she has been well kno\\n here from tlie earlv davs to the present,
and tlie exemplary life she has lived has made her popular with her acquaint-
ances. She is a well preserved woman, looking twenty years younger than
764 PAST AXD PRESENT
her age. She does a great deal of reading and sewing and other work. She
is a faithful member of the Presbyterian church. Her life has been, in the
main, happy, although beset by many trials incident to living in a new country.
She is kind to all, and her motherly care and influence is felt by everyone
who comes into her presence.
JOSEPH BEXJA-MIX BEAUCOXD.
Fighting fires in cities has long passed from the amateur stage to the
highest point of discipline and scientific accomplishment. Onlv the best men
and best machinery are fitted for the work, the inefficient being barred and
the incompetent told to stand aside. As fire fighting has become more and
more a science and the management of a department recjuiring a high order of
generalship combined with bravery, self-control and- a coolness of temperament
that defies heat, it is considered a great honor to hold the position of chief.
The people respect him and 1( ok up to him as a hero, he often becomes a
martyr to his profession, which is extra hazardous, and thus for many reasons
the list that contains the names of firemen is regarded as a roll of honor.
At Lafayette, the man who fills this honorable place is Joseph B. Beiuc nd
and the very fact that he holds it is sufficient proof that he obtained it on
merit, by possessing those sturdy qualities of budy and mind tint enter intn the
making- of commanders. The Beauconds were an nld family in I-"li yd county,
Indiana, before the Civil w-ar and some of its members figured honorably in
the development of that section. Henry J. Beaucond, born in 1816, died
in 1893, ■^'^'^s a farmer by regular vocation, but he did a good deal of contract-
ing as a side line. He married ^lary Byrnes, by whom he had four sons.
John H., Joseph B., Francis J. and Peter ^I.
Joseph B. Beaucond, the second of these children, was liorn at Xew
Albany, Indiana, July 7, 1859, and was reared in the place of his nati\it\-.
Between school terms he spent his vacations 111 the farm helping his f-ulier
with the harvest and crop attendance and so cnntinued until the C'jmpletinn
of the sixteenth year of his age. At that time he became an apprentice to learn
the trade of locomotive boiler-making and spent several years in mastering
its intricacies. After fulfilling all the requirements to become a journeyman
he worked at his trade in Birmingham, Alabama, for two years and, returning
to X^ew Albany, w-as employed there for the same length of time. His next
engagement was with the C. E. & I. Railroad Cunipany, after
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 765
tlie completion of which he laid off temporarily from his regular
employment to become a fireman at Xew Albany. At this juncture he dabbled
in politics to some extent on the Democratic side, but eventually resigned
from the fire department of his own accord and entered the employ of the
Monon Railroad Company to work at his regular trade. For two years he
was connected with the police force at Xew Albany and this was followed by a
re-engagement with the Monon Raih'oad Company to work at his regular
trade. While thus employed he located at Lafayette in 1894 and for the
next twelve years he worked in the Monon shops. In 1907 he was made chief
of the city fire department and has since discharged the duties of that respon-
sible position. He has a natural aptitude for this work accentuated by a
previous experience in the same line at New Albany, and he has "made good"
in every way since he took charge of the position three years ago. The evi-
dence of this is his high standing among the fire chiefs of the state, the con-
fidence manifested in him by the fire insurance companies and the good will
and respect that have come to him from all the citizens of Lafayette.
Mr. Beaucond married Idda ^^'ardell, of Scottsburg, Lidiana, and they
have one son, Charles A., who was born January 14, 1895, and is now one of
the youngest pupils in the high school. Mr. Beaucond's only fraternal rela-
tions are in connection with the Fraternal Order of Eagles, of which he has
been a longtime member. His acquaintance is extensive in various parts of
the state, where he has lived and worked, and in all these places he is pleas-
antly rememl:ered as an industriius mechanic and citizen without reproach.
ARETT C. ARXETT, :\L D.
Recognized among the leading physicians of Lafavette, Indiana, of the
younger generation, there is none better known and with a wider circle of
friends than Dr. A. C. Arnett. He is a native of Tippecanoe county, born
August 21, 1882, and is a son of A. J. and Elizabeth (McBroom) Arnett.
The elder Arnett is a resident of Jackson township, Tippecanoe county, and
has long been prominent in agricultural lines as well as a political worker in
the Republican party. He served as trustee of his township and has always
taken an active interest in the campaigning in his county. Having practically
retired from farming, it is proljable that he and his wife will eventually
become residents of Lafavette. To them were born the following children :
766 PAST AND PRESENT
Arett C, the subject of this sketch; C. X., now professor in Purdue Univer-
sity ; R. E., a student in the city high school.
Arett C. Arnett received his early mental training in the district school
of his native home and later graduated from the city high school. He still
later matriculated in the Northern Indiana Normal University at Valparaiso
and completed the scientific course there. He entered medical school in 1903
and graduated in 1907. He won signal honors during his collegiate work
and was classed as a close and discriminating student. He was an undergrad-
uate interne at the Eleanor Hospital for one year and later was in the same
position with Bobbs' Dispensary. He is connected with the hospital corps of
the Indiana National Guard. In his early practice he was associated with Dr.
George D. Kahlo and Dr. A. C. Kimberlin for two years. He was also house
physician at St. Elizabeth's Hospital for one year. Doctor Arnett located in
his present quarters in 1908 where he has built up an enviable practice and has
made many friends by his kindly ministrations. He is a member of several
medical societies and fraternities, including the Tippecanoe County Medical
Society and the American Medical Association. In addition he is a Mason
and a member of the Lincoln Club, being a strong Republican.
Doctor Arnett was married on November 11, 1908, to Ethel McKinstray,
of Noblesville, Indiana. She is a graduate of Depauw University at Green-
castle, Indiana, and a woman with many excellent qualities of mind. Doctor
Arnett is a man of many social excellencies and with a bright outlook for his
future success.
ROBERT HENRY McGRATH.
Prominent among those identified \\ith the business interests of the city
of Lafayette is Robert H. McGrath, who succeeded to his father's interests in
the foundry and machine works, counted among the city's chief assets from
an industrial standpoint. He was born in the city where he has always re-
sided, on May 5, 1859, and is a son of Robert M. and Catherine (O'Grady)
McGrath. The father was a native of Reading, Pennsylvania, and the
mother a native born of the Emerald Isle. She came to America to join a
brother who had emigrated to United States in 1848. Robert M. McGrath
was a member of the engineering corps on the survey of the old Wabash &
Erie canal and in that way came to Lafayette, where he subsequently located.
He embarked in the foundry and machine business just across the street from
where the present business of the son is located. He was in partnership with
TIPPECANOE COUNTY^ IND. 767
Joseph Hubler and purchased the site where the present foundry is situated.
He died in 1889 and was active in business until the time of his death.
In i88g the son, Robert McGrath, came into possession of the enterprise,
which he has since actively conducted with all success.
To the elder McGrath and wife were born seven children, six of whom
are still living, as follows : Charles, deceased ; Robert H. McGrath ; Catherine,
who married Edward Miller and lives in Cincinnati, Ohio; Helen, widow of
Thomas F. McMahan, of Lafayette; Frances, who married Edward F. Bren-
nan and lives in Indianapolis; George, of Los Angeles, California.
Robert H. McGrath was reared in the city of his nativity and obtained
his education in the graded schools, a business course in a commercial college
and later entered Notre Dame University, of the class of 1876. He was a
close student and graduated with honors and then returned to Lafayette where
he entered business for himself in partnership with his father. With the
energy cliaracteristic of the Irish race, the jNlcGraths applied themselves to
business and were scon foremost among the tradesmen of their kind in
western Indiana. By hard work and perse\-erance they accumulated a com-
petency and were honored by their neighbors and friends. Robert always
took much interest in the progress of the city and was in politics. He was
elected as waterworks trustee in 1900 and served three years, being re-elected ■
for a second term. In 1905 he v.^as appointed by the mayor as president of
the board of public works, which position he now holds with credit to him-
self and the party that put him there.
In 1887 he was married to Mary Ward, of Indianapolis, Indiana, and
to the union four children were born, as follows : Genevieve, Irma, Helen
and Robert. The children are either attending school or graduates of some
institution.
Robert McGrath is a member of the Catholic church and also a member
of the Knights of Columbus. In politics he is a Democrat, a good citizen,
progressive and honorable, and always willing to do his duty as he finds it.
He has a large following of friends and is revered as a good citizen and
neighbor.
ADAH McMAHAN, M. D.
The subject of this sketch has been long and favorably known in Lafay-
ette, and has unusual talent, which has been improved by thorough education
and years of experience. Her family is one of the best, possessing historic
military records in two wars and always counted among the patriotic in times
768 PAST AND PRESENT
of national crisis. Her fatlier. Dr. William R. McAIahan, was a gallant sol-
dier of the Civil war. going early and staying late, leaving no bad marks
against himself and rising by merit to the rank of first lieutenant of his com-
pany. On the maternal side. lJ)r. Adah McMahan is a great-granddaughter
of Capt. Jacob Guiger, a veteran of the battle of Tippecanoe, where the Indians
of Tecumseh's tribe were so disastrously routed by the American forces under
Gen. W'illiam Henry Harrison. Captain Guiger commanded one of the com-
panies of volunteers who went out under the ccmmand of Major Spencer, of
the Kentucky volunteers. Captain Guiger led his troops gallantly in the charge
against the savages, was wounded in the action and received the thanks of
congress for his bravery.
Dr. Adah McAIahan was born at Huntingburg, DuBois county, Indiana,
and received her elementary education in the graded and high school of lier
native city. After reaching the proper age she entered as a student the
Indiana State University, where by diligence and hard study she was honored
with the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and blaster of Arts. She next mttricu-
lated in the Northwestern University and after a thorough course in the med-
ical department she carried off the coveted degree of Doctor of Aledicine. her
graduation occurring with the class of 1897. Previous to going to Chicago,
'however, Doctor AIcMahan had been connected with the Girls' Classical
School at Evansville and later Avas at the head of the Greek department of
the Duluth ( ^Minnesota ) high school. In all of these positions she proved
to be a successful educator, energetic in her work, resourceful in methods
and prompt in the discharge of her duties. In the fall of 1897, Doctor Mc-
Mahan located at Lafayette where she has since been continuously engaged in
the practice of her profession. These twelve years have been busy ones for
her and the work she has accomplished is a tribute to her push and skill.
Though she makes a specialty of the diseases of women and children, she
also enjoys an extensive general practice. She is a memlier of the Tippecanoe
County, Indiana State and American Aledical Associations. Socially
.she is a member of the local chapter of the Daughters nf the American Revo-
lution and her religious affiliations are with the Second Presbvterian church.
FILAXDER TAYLOR VESS.
A worthy representative of an old and honored \'irginia familv. and
one of the progressive agriculturists of Tippecanoe countv is Filander T.
Vess, whose excellent farm in Randolph township is a model of advanced
^L.-a^i^
^I'tf nyZ
6e^^
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 769
scientific farming. His birth occurred in Rockbridge county, \"irginia,
i\Iay 28. 1855, and it was tliere that he received his education in the common
schools, passing through wliat would now be known as the eighth grade.
He is the son of Matthew and ]\Iary (Moore) \'ess. both natives of Vir-
ginia and representatives of as fine old Southern families as could be found
in the Old Dominion. They were reared, educated and married there, their
wedding occurring in 1839. They managed very successfully a farm in
Rockbridge county where, as stated, their son Filander was born. The
mother passed to the "silent halls of death" in ^March. i860, at the early age
of thirty-two years, and she lies buried near the town of Lexington, Vir-
ginia. Her husband survived her eleven years. They were the parents of
seven children, all of whom grew to maturity, two now being deceased. In
order of birth they were as follows : John. ^Nlary. Jake. \\'i!liam, Filander,
Hulda and Sally. The deceased members are Mary and Jake, who are
buried at St. Paul, Shelby county, Indiana. After the death of his first wife,
Matthew Vess, in the year 1861, married his second wife, Mary Ann Archer,
a native of Virginia. They came to Indiana and lived in Shelby county for
about a year (T868). then Matthew \'ess returned to Virginia with his fam-
ily, where he died in December. 1871. at the age of fifty-tW(T years.
Four children were born to Matthew \'ess by his second marriage,
namely: Oliver C, James R.. Gertie L. and Missouri, who died in infancy
while the family lived in Shelby county, Indiana.
Filander T. \'e5s remained with his parents in A'irginia until he went
to \\'est \'irginia. where he remained until his twenty-first year, then came
to Indiana and worked on a farm 1iy the month for two years, after which
lie returned to \\'est \"irginia, in which state he was married on March ti,
1S77, to Sarah Katherine Carte. She was l3orn in Roane county. West Vir-
ginia. October 6. 1S55. the daughter of Crawford and Margaret C. Carte,
both natives of \\'est \'irginia, in which state they lived until the death of
the father, which occurred shortl}- after his daughter's marriage to the sub-
ject. His widow survives, making her home with her daughter. Mrs. Vess,
in Tippecanoe county. Indiana. Slie enjiys very good health for one who
has reached the age of seventy-five years. ^Ir. and Mrs. Crawford Carte
were the parents of eleven children. ^Irs. \'ess being the second in order of
birth: the other children are Rebecca, Sarah C, John M.. W. A., :\Iary, Joe
C. and Cal. tJie last two deceased, and r^Ieady. who lives in Canada.
.\fter the marriage of Filander T. A'ess. he and his wife returned to
Indiana within a few davs. landing in Lafavette with onlv fiftv dollars in
(49)
770 PAST AND PRESENT
capital. They lx)th went to work on a farm in this county where they lived
for a few years. By hard work and close economy they were enabled to
buy land and stock, and, having prospered ever since, they now own a fine
farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which is among the very best farm-
ing land in Randolph township, Tippecanoe county, being well stocked and
under high grade cultivation and well improved. They have a fine home
and substantial outbuildings. Mr. Vess makes a specialty of raising Red
Jersey hogs and Jersey cows.
To Mr. and Mrs. Vess five children have been born, four of whom grew
to maturity, one having died in childhood. In order of birth they are Alto
Maude, born August 21, 1879, is the wife of George K. Stafford; they reside
in Lafayette, Mr. Stafford being postmaster of West Lafayette; George
Edgar was born July 25, 1886, and died February 24, 1881 ; Ora Florence,
bom March 27, 1882, is the wife of Charles Spears, of Lafayette; Charles
Ernest, born April 23, 1884, has remained single; Harry Earl, born July 22,
1890, married Nora Conrow, and they reside in Romney, Indiana.
In his fraternal relations, Mr. Vess is a member of Randolph Lodge,
No. 376, Independent Order of Odd Fellow's, at Romney. of which' lie is
treasurer, and he also belongs to Maracopa -Tribe, No. 325, Improved Order
of Red Men, at Linden, Indiana. Mr. Vess was formerly a Democrat, but
of recent years he has supported the Republican ticket, and has taken quite
an active part in political affairs; however, he has never aspired to public
office, but he was prevailed upon to serve a term of four years as super-
visor of Randolph township, which he did very creditably. Both he and his
wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Romney and they
are very active in church work, Mr. Vess being a member of the stewards
and a trustee of this congregation. Herman \^ess. nephew of Mr. and Mrs.
Vess, who was drowned in Wea creek on June 29. 1902, was a very prom-
ising lad, his loss being a severe blow to ^Ir. and Mrs. Vess, as they were
rearing him.
GEORGE K. THROCKMORTON. M. D.
Standing jM'ominently among the younger physicians of Lafayette, In-
diana, is Dr. George K. Throckmorton, a native born of Tippecanoe C(iunty
and well known in medical circles of western Indiana. He was born April i,
1862, and is a son of Edmond and Elizabeth ( De\'ault.) Throckmorton. The
elder Throckmorton came from \^irginia in 1838 and settled in Tippecanoe
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 771
county and lived there all his life. He was a farmer and by his thrift and hard
work accumulated considerable property, although when he began life he had
nothing but his courage and willing hands. At one time he owned three
hundred acres of land which he had obtained through his own efforts. He
was known as a God-fearing man and a member of the Presbyterian church.
He died in 1903, his wife having preceded him in 1894. They were the
parents of four children, three of whom are living. Warner T. and Foreman
W. are farmers of Tippecanoe county and well-to-do citizens. Dr. George
Throckmorton, the other son, was reared on a farm and attended the district
school until he was sixteen years of age. He entered the preparatory-
department of Purdue University and in 1883 graduated from that institu-
tion. He then entered Rush Medical College of Chicago, Illinois, and grad-
uated therefrom in 1887, after which he located in Lafayette, Indiana, and
has been a resident of that city since. He is favorably known to his brethren
of the medical profession and also has a large and growing practice. His
ability as a surgeon is known outside of his own environs. He is a member
of the staff of St. Elizabeth's Hospital and has been for the last sixteen years.
He is also the physician fcr the Tippecanoe Children's Home and at one
time was elected coroner of the county and was also secretary of the county
board of health for five years. Doctor Throckmorton took a post-graduate
course in medicine in Chicago and New York and is considered peculiarly
well equipped for his life's profession. He has always been identified with
the commercial interests of his city and county and, in addition to owning a
fine farm in Tippecanoe county, he is a stockholder in the American National
Bank and possesses an elegant home at 520 North Seventh street, Lafayette.
At one time he served as president of the State Medical Society and is also a
member of the county organization.
In 1890 Doctor Throckmorton was united in marriage to Rosalie Rein-
hardt. She died in October, the following year, leaving one daughter, Georgia
R.. who is now in the Lafayette high school. He is a member of the Presby-
terian church and has been identified with its work. Doctor Throckmorton's
specialty is surgery and his fame in this direction is not confined to this
localitv.
HERMAN H. EVANS.
Born and reared in the city of Lafayette and a son of one of its old-time
citizens, Herman Evans started in life surrounded by home influences and
^J^2 PAST AND PRESENT
with friends wlio had recognized the worth of his father and lent to the son
the recognition due him. The young man was born February 26, 1873, and
is a son of John and Helen (Kessener) Evans. The elder Evans was one of
the first contractors of the city of Lafayette, and many of the buildings now
standing in that city are monuments of his ability. He was of German
parentage and was a success in his life's work. He had the reputation of
being a straight-forward, honest man, and his sviccess was largely due to the
honesty of his methods. He was the father of a large family of children,
eight of whom are now living. He was a member of the Catholic church,
as was his wife, and lived and died well revered by his fellow citizens. His
death occurred on January 30, 1893, and his wife's the follow?ing year.
Herman Evans followed his father's footsteps, as a contractor, and also
added the undertaking business to his line. He was educated in the Catholic
schools of the city as well as the public schools. Not caring for a higher
learning, the young man started to see the world and soon found himself in
the West. He satiated his desire for the wanderlust and about the age of
twenty years started into the contracting business. Later he joined forces
with his brother, J(jhn C, and they have made a success of the business and
are among the foremost contractors of the city.
In 1900 Herman Evans entered the undertaking business under the firm
nnme of Evans & Scheffee. Howe\er, he gives this business but little of his
time, leaving the details to his partner.
Herman Evans has always taken mucli interest in the political game,
Ijeing a Democrat by preferment. At one time he was a candidate for city
councilman against Dr. John M. Smith and others. Although his ward is
largely Republican, he gave his opponents a spectacular race. Later he entered
the mayoralty contest and put up a magnificent fight, losing the xictory by a
heart-breaking finish of two votes. .\t the time he made the race the city
was Republican by fi\e hundred majorii)-. He is now serving as a member
of the board nf public health.
In 1902 Mr. Evars was united in marriage to Grace Curtiss. They
are members of the ?t. Boniface Catholic church. .Aside from being a shrewd
business man. Herman Evans is a lover of the great outdoors and spends as
much time as lie can in hunting and fishing. He takes pride in his ability as
a rifle shot and is accredited as one of the best marksmen m
the state. His life in the npen has given him a powerful physique
and be is in the glow of health, affaljle, jolly and well liked
bv all who know him.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 773
SYLVESTER H. TACKSON.
S. H. Jackson, a prominent business man of Lafayette, at the head of
one of the largest hardware and implement companies in the city, also pro-
prietor of the Jackson livery barn, is a native of Tippecanoe county. Indiana,
born in Wabash township <m May ^8, 1859. His parents, Andrew J. and
Mary (Sparks) Jackson, moved tn the county from Pennsylvania, their native
state, about 1850, and for some years thereafter the father did a thriving
business as a contractor and builder and became one of the enterprising men
and representative citizens of the township in which he resided. The family
consisted of four children, two sons and two daughters, all living and well
settled in life and greatly esteemed in their respective places of abode.
Sylvester H. Jackson was educated in the public schools and Purdue
University, and for a period of four years taught in the schools of W'abash
township, in connection with which he also farmed for se\eral years, meet-
ing with encouraging success as an educator and a tiller of the S(_iil. Later
he became a resident oi Wabash township, where he served se\en years as
trustee and at the expiration of that time, or perhaps a little subsequent to
that time, he discontinued agricultural pursuits and accepted a position with
the hardware firm of Jamison Brothers. Lafayette, in whose employ he re-
mained during the ten years ensuing. He then engaged in the hardware
trade for himself and during the past nine years has- been the executive head
and general manager of the Jackson Hardware and Lnplement Company, of
Lafa\ette, one of the largest and most successful mercantile companies of
northern Indiana. The building occupied by the corporation is thirty by
one hundred and twenty feet in area, the height five stories and the floor
space amounting to twelve thousand square feet. The company handles all
kinds of hardware, purchasing the same by car-load lots, farm implements of
every variety, besides twine, which is also bought by the car-load, wagons,
buggies, harness, etc. — in fact all articles and implements and every kind of
machinerj' for which there is any demand by the agriculturist or the general
trade, the rapid growth of the business indicating the intelligence, sound
judgment and forethought exercised by the clear-brained and far-seeing man-
ager. In connection with this rapidly growing enterprise, Mr. Jackson is
also proprietor of a large livery barn at Xos. 10 and 11 Soutli Third street,
where he keeps about fifty fine roadsters and a full line of buggies, carriages,
hacks and other veliicles, the establishment being complete in all of its parts,
fully equipped to meet the demands of the public, and the alreadv quite ex-
774 PAST AND PRESENT
tensive business is steadily increasing and earning for the proprietor an
honorable reputation as a capable, enterprising and popular man of affairs.
The livery barn, which is two stories high and sixty by one hundred and
twenty feet in area, fronts on Third and South streets and is equipped with
everything essential to the successful prosecution of the business, the service
both day and night leaving nothing to be desired and every feature of the
establishment is in first-class condition, which bespeaks the interest and
care with which it is conducted.
Mr. Jackson is a Republican in politics and a member of the Masonic
brotherhood, also belonging to the order of Druids and the Sigma Chi
college fraternity. He was married in August, 1880, to Miss Nancy AI.
Jamison, one of the eleven children of John and Prudence (Wright) Jami-
son, the union being blessed with four children, namely: Frank B., who
was born April 23, 1886, was educated in the schools at Lafayatte and Purdue
University and is now associated with his father in the hardware and im-
plement business ; Mary M., born August 10, 1883, received her education in
the city schools and is now the wife of Bernard Bogan, who is connected
with a packing company in Lafayette; Prudence, whose birth occurred Oc-
tober I, i88g, was educated in the common and high schools, graduate of
Ama Morgan School of Dramatic Art. Chicago, and is now a dramatic
reader; Earl, the oldest member of the family, a bright intelligent lad and
a favorite with all who knew him, died when eleven years of age.
Mr. Jackson has long taken an active part in public matters, and during
his four years in the city council did much to promote the interests of the
municipality. While a memlier of that body, he \\as chairman of the finance
committee and as such rendered valuable service in maintaining the credit of
the city by reducing expenses to the minimum and using his influence wher-
ever possible to prevent injudicious legislation. All worthy enterprises, how-
ever, have found in him a willing patron, and he has ever stood for those
measures having for their object the social, intellectual and moral progress of
his community.
Mr. Jackson possesses a forceful personality and, with strong common
sense and well balanced judgment, exercises not only an active, but potential
influence in the commimity, and impresses those with whom he has business
relations as a man witln the well-being of his fellow citizens at heart. Prac-
tical ratiier than thei retical. there runs through his nature a deep undercur-
rent of soliditv which makes his presence felt among those with whom he
comes in contact and the ease with which he manages the large establish-
ment, of which he is the head, demonstrates his fitness to manage and to carry
to successful conclusion important and far-reaching enterprises.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 775
COL. JOHN W. WARNER.
If for no other reason, the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch
deserves prominent mention in a history of this nature because of his services
in behalf of the national Union during the dark days of the sixties, for he
fearlessly followed the old flag on many of the sanguinary battlefields of the
South, and since that period has taken no small interest in military and
public afifairs.
Col. John \V. Warner l^elongs to that class of foreign-born citizens
who have done so much for the upbuilding of the New World, having been
a native of Ireland, in which country he first saw the light of day October
6, 1839, the son of Robert S. and Jane (Ross-Wright) Warner, his mother
having been a widow when she married Robert S. Warner. This couple
came to the United States, locating in Lafayette,Indiana, as early as 1849, and
they played no small part in the subsequent development of the place. They
later moved ten miles northwest of the city, where Mr. Warner devoted his
attention to the quiet pursuits of a husbandman. He passed to his rest in
1891, his good wife having preceded him to the other world twenty years
earlier, in 1871. They were the parents of seven children, three of whom
are living, in 1909.
When John W. Warner was a boy he assisted his father with the work
on tlie farm, gaining in the winter time what education he could from the
primitixe schools of those early days, which was necessarily limited in its
scope. In 1 86 1 he married, and when he heard the call for troops from his
adopted country to suppress the hosts of rebellion he was one of the first
to heed the call, and he left his bride and the quiet environments of home
to take up the hardships of camp and field, enlisting in Company A, of the
famous Eleventh Indiana Volunteer Cavalry, which was assigned to duty
with the army of the Cumberland, and it did duty in Alabama, Tennessee and
Kentucky. Mr. Warner was in the service two years, perfonning his work
so faithfully that he was commissioned orderly sergeant. He was in the
hospital a short time. At the close of the war he received an honorable dis-
charge and, returning to Lafayette, resumed farming, but in 1870 moved
into the city. He served one year, 1870-1871, as deputy sherifif, then he went
on the police force where he remained for two years. After engaging in other
things for two years, he again became a member of the force on which he re-
mained for a period of seven years, giving excellent service. He served as
court bailiff for eight years, beginning in 1882. He has long been a very
active worker in the Republican party and by reason of his services he was
776 PAST AND PRESENT
elected justice of the peace in 1894, having served continimusly ever since
in a manner that has won tlie hearty approx'al of his constituents. He cast
his first vote for Abraham Lincohi in i860.
To Mr. and Mrs. \\'arner six children were born, all li\ing. They are
Robert E.. who is a city mail carrier: William J., a railway mail clerk;
Harry C. and Edward T. live in Indianapolis and are expert polishers;
Robert E. also lives in Indianapolis; Clara, the only daughter, is the wife of
a Mr. Freshouer.
In his fraternal relations the subject belongs to Lafayette Lodge, Xo.
51. Knights of Pythias: Lafayette Lodge, Xo. 15. Independent Order of
Odd Fellows; also a member of the Lafayette Lodge. Xo. i. Uniform Rank,
Knights of Pythias. He is past commander of the John A. Logan Post,
Grand Army of the Republic, and he is at this writing colonel of the Eighth
Regiment. Indiana X'ational Guard, being regarded as a \ery able and
efficient commander. He is serving on liis second term, having been elected
in 1903. He is xevy proud of his regiment, and well he may be, for it is
always in a high state of efficiency, largely due to his effi:)rts.
At the unveiling of the Tippecanoe monument. Colonel Warner was
appointed marshal. The Tenth L'nited States Regiment of the Regular army
was present and its commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Ciecel, complimented
Colonel Warner \-ery highly on his work that day. The Colonel is a man
whom everybody likes and trusts, and few men in the country are Ijetter
known than he.
TOHX W. GAY.
The mention of this name carries the local historian back to the period
of struggle, when a mighty arm}- of sturdy pioneers were engaged in con-
quering the West. The search of the genealogical tree takes us to England,
where w^e find John Gay migrating to the L'nited States prior to the Revolu-
tionary war, establishing a home in Pennsylvania and dying in Ohio at the
remarkable age of one hundred and three years. His son Jacob, born in
AVestmoreland county, Pennsylvania, followed the tide of emigration to Ohio,
married Amy Herbert, a native of New Jersey and daughter of Thomas
Herbert, one of the first settlers of Ohio. Jacob Gay died in 1848. at the
age of fifty-seven years, and his w-ife died in 1867. Samuel Gay. his only
son. was one of five children, all long since deceased. He was born in
Pickaway county, Ohio, October 28, 1812. emigrated to Indiana in youth
and became one of the early settlers of Tippecanoe county. He came here
■c^
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^^^^:,^^^^^
d>^kaJ ^c
■a^
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. J-JJ
with his parents in 1834, when his father bouglu three hundred acres of
partly impro\-ed land in Wayne township. The old people are buried in the
Sherry cemetery, nearby the homestead. Samuel Gay grew up like all other
pioneer farm boys with little time for schooling, but much for hard work.
On October 11. 1837. he married Eliza, daughter of William and Xancy
Reed, of Ross county, Ohio, and Ijy this union there were seven children:
John \\'. and Emeline, who lives with him; Josephine, wife of Alonzo Bos-
well, of ^^'ayne township; Seymour; James Madison, of Wayne township;
Sanford, of Oklahoma, and Samuel, also of Wayne township. The father
of this family became an extensive landowner, as he added to his father's
original purchase until he had some seven hundred acres. He was a very
liberal man, always read}- to contribute to public enterprises and Xo help his
fellowman in distress. Thciugh a stanch Whig- and Republican, he would
never accept office, his heart being set on agricultural pursuits. He be-
longed to no orders and showed little disposition to join any organization
that required him to be away from heme. He died in September, 1902, after
completing his ninetieth year. His wife, who has always been a devout
Methodist, survives him and reached the end of her eighty-ninth year on
July I, 1909. He is buried in Sherry cemetery, which ct)ntains the bones
of several generations of the family.
John W. Gay, the eldest son of Samuel, was born in \\'avne township,
Tippecanoe county, Indiana, October 14. 1840. He went through all the
rough experiences of a pioneer boy on an Indiaiia farm, which consisted of
hard licks from morning until night, few amusements and only such edu-
cation as could be picked up by short winter attendance in the poor schools
of those days. He grew up on a farm, learned all about farming and in
the end owned a farm of his own, which he managed with skill and industry.
He has long been one of the largest landowners of Wayne township, at one
time having one thousand one hundred acres, which, however, have been
reduced to nine hundred. He is highly respected, as, indeed, are his broth-
ers and sisters and all the connection of Gays, who stand for the oldest and
best the county has to show in agricultural developments, their lives being
the connecting link between the pioneer past and the progressive present.
CAPT. WILLIAM C. MITCHELL.
In every community are to be found individuals who by reason of pro-
nounced ability and forceful personality rise superior to the majoritv and
command the hoi-nage of their fellows; -who, by revealing to the world the
yy^ PAST AND PRESENT
two resplendent virtues, perseverance in purpose and directing spirit, never
fail to attain positions of honor and trust and become in the full sense of
the term leaders of men. Of this class is the well-known gentleman whose
name appears above, a man who ranks among the leading citizens of Tippe-
canoe county and who for a number of years has borne an influential part
in shaping and directing the affairs of the city in which he resides.
Capt. \\'illiam C. ^Mitchell, attorney at law and president of the Mitchell
Abstract Company, is one of Indiana's native sons and comes of good old
Revolutionary stock, his great-grandfather. Robert Mitchell, having been a
hero of the colonial struggle for independence, serving in a \'irginia regi-
ment and achieving an honorable record for duty bravely and faithfully per-
formed. He lived for a number of years to enjoy the liberty for which he
so gallantly fought, dying on the 26th day of July, 1827. Other members
of the family also served the country in a military capacity, several of the
name having taken part in the war of 181 2 and earned records of which their
descendants feel deservedly proud. Joseph Mitchell, the subject's father, was
born March 4. 1817. in Champaign county. Ohio, came to Indiana in 1832,
and after living in Montgomery county for twenty-four years moved to
Clark's Hill in Tippecanoe county, where he resided until his removal to the
Tippecanoe Battle Ground, two years later. He followed at different times
farming, merchandising and railroad contracting, and was enterprising in all
of his undertakings and prosperous. He married Lx>uisa M. Kendall, of
Champaign county, Ohio, reared a family of ten children, eight of whom
survive, and departed this life on March 8, 1880, his wife dying in Feb-
ruary. 1 891.
Capt. William C. IMitchell was born July 9. 1854. in :Montgomery
county, Indiana, and when about tv>o years of age was brought to Tippe-
canoe county, with the interests of which his subsequent life has been very
closely interwoven. He was greatly a debtor to the influences of birth and
early training, and it may be added that he fully appreciated these and other
advantages which he enjoyed during his childhood and youth, and met the
responsibilities that fell to him as he grew to manhood's estate in a manner
befitting one who while still young determined to rise above the mediocrity
and become of some use in the world. After acquiring a good education in
the schools of Battle Ground, he began his independent career in' 1874 as
deputy county recorder and two years later became deputy clerk, which posi-
tion beheld until his election in 1882 to the important office of clerk of Tippe-
canoe county. Mr. Mitchell entered upon his duties in the latter capacity
and discharged the same in an eminently able and satisfactory manner until
the close of his term in 1886, when he retired from the office and the fol-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 779
lowing year, in partnership with J. M. Dresser, engaged in the real estate,
insurance, loan and abstract business, which he has since followed. His
partner dying in 1894, Mr. Mitchell conducted the business alone until 1902,
when the Mitchell Abstract Company was organized and incorporated, since
which time the enterprise has grown rapidly in public favor, and now does
a much larger business in the various lines represented than any other man
or firm in Lafayette similarly engaged. As president and general manager of
the above corporation, Mr. Mitchell has demonstrated ability and acumen of
a high order and his familiarity with the business which he conducts makes
him an authority upon all matters pertaining thereto. In connection with
the large and growing patronage in real estate, insurance, abstract convey-
ancing and loans, he also has a lucrative law practice, having fitted himseli
for the profession when a young man, and since his admission to the bar,
in 1886, he has built up an extensive legal business, devoting especial at-
tention to laws relating to real estate and probate matters. He has achieved
marked success both in the enterprise of which he is executive head and as a
financier. In all public affairs affecting his city and county he has ever mani-
fested a lively interest, doing his share towards progress and advancement
and making his influence felt in bettering the social and moral condition of
his fellowmen. He gives his allegiance to the Republican party, with which
he has been identified since becoming a voter, and it was his activity and
popularity as a politician that led to his nomination and election to the im-
portant office of clerk of the courts which he so ably and worthily filled.
Mr. Mitchell, on April 4, 1883, was united in marriage with Amelia
Schweizer, of Lafayette, the union being blessed with one daughter. Roe,
whose birth occurred in Lafayette and who is still with her parents. This
young lady has been educated in the Lafayette high school and in Dr.
Gardner's School, a female seminary in New York city.
Captain Mitchell is a thirty-second-degree Mason and active in the sub-
ordinate branches of the order, in nearly all of which he has been honored
from time to time with important official positions; he is also prominent in
the Knights of Pythias and was the first captain of Division No. i, Uniform
Rank, in Lafayette, in addition to which societies he holds membership with
the Druids and the Lincoln Club and takes an active part in the deliberations
of the same. He has always taken an active part in military afifairs, and
served for several years as captain of De Hart Light Infantry. In his
religious belief he holds to the Episcopal faith, being a vestrvman of the
church with which he is identified, and to him belongs the honor of being
one of the few members of the Sons of the American Revolution in the
city of Lafayette.
/So PAST AXD PRESEN-;
THOMAS H. WHALEX. M. D.
This popular physician of Lafayette has an interesting story to tell of
a neglected boyhood, hardships of a friendless child, persistence against
great odds, and final triumph o\er all difficulties. It is a tale that might be
told to the credit (jf any man. and it invoh-es the exercise of the sterner
virtues out of which we get t'le best of our citizenship. It is instrnctix'e
and beneficial, as it points the wa}- for others, and shows that however great
the discouragements. howe\"er biting the poverty, everything will cDUie out
all right if the materials are there for the making of a real man. Thoni:i5
H. W'halen was born in Pennsylvania. IMay 17, 1863. under circumstances
that the old astrologers would have pronounced an "unlucky star." His
parents, Thomas and Delia (Linket) W'halen, were miserably poor, the
father being a common railroad lalx)rer. who had difficulty in earning the
support for his family. Even this frail reliance was taken away from their
child by the untimely death of both father and mother, and he found him-
self orphaned at an age so young as to render him an object of charity.
He met what is probably the worst fate that can befall a child, that of being
bound out to work for strangers. He fell to the care of one Thomas Earl,
for whom he did chores and light work in summer, while attending school
desultorily in winter. When eight years old he ran away and. boy-like, he
had no idea as to where he was going. He found refuge with another
farmer in the adjoining neighborhood, but. after a brief residence, again took
leave and trusted his keeping for a short time with one Benjamin Bowers,
At length he reached more solid ground, when he obtained employment
with William Cullim, a well-to-do farmer of Sheffield township, Tippecanoe
county. He remained here until he reached his majority and meantime had
saved some money, as well as acquiring sufficient education to qualify him
to teach. Securing charge of a country school, he followed the occupation
of a pedagogue for fourteen years, taking advantage of the interludes to ground
himself in the elements of medicine. After a course of reading, which gave
him the necessary qualifications, he became a student in the Illinois INIedical
College and obtained the degree of Doctor of Medicine from that institution
in the class of 1898. In November of that year he located at Lafayette and
has ever since been one of the fixtures of the city, gaining friends as well
as clients in numbers sufficient to make him prosperous. Being energetic,
well qualified for his profession and a natural maker of friends, his ten
years' residence in Lafayette has yielded results that should gratify any
TIPPEC-\NOE COUNTY, IND. jSl
ordinary ambition. He is a member of tbe Tippecanoe County, Indiana State
and American Medical Associations and has been especially honored by ap-
pointment as a member of the city board of health. Doctor Whalen is a
member of the Masonic order and the Knights of Pythias, being past
chancellor of the latter lodge. Politically the Doctor affiliates with the Re-
publican party, and his religious views find expression as a member of St.
Mary's Catholic church.
In 1891 Doctor Whalen married Helen Clark, a niece of William
Cullim, who died in 1893 without issue. In 1902 he married Barbara Kienby,
a native of Tippecanoe county, bom November 12, 1880. By this union
there has been one child, Bertha Rose, born November g, 1906. Mrs.
Whalen's ancestors, originally from Germany, were early settlers of Tippe-
canoe countv, and her father is a veteran of the Civil war.
CHARLES BERGOUIST.
Charles Bergquist belongs to that class of men whii win in life's battles
by sheer force of personality and determination, rather than by the influence
of friends or caprice of fortune, and in whatever he has undertaken he has
shown himself to be a man of ability and honor, faithful to whatever trust
that lias been reposed in him, and as the postmaster and merchant at South
Raub. Randolph township, Tippecanoe county, he plays an important role in
that community. His l)irth occurred on June 5, i860, in Kalmar Lane.
Sweden, a ciumtry that has sent so many valuable citizens to America. He is
the son of Jonas Frederick antl Emma Louisa ( Xelson) Bergquist, both
nati\"es of Sweden, in which ctumiry they lived and died. Jonas Bergquist
was a blacksmith by trade and a '>ery skilled workman. They were people
of industry and integrity, and to them three children were born, of whom
Charles is the only nne now living. He received a good education in the
schools of his nati\e country. His father having died in 1865 and his mother
in 1870. Charles went to live \\ith an uncle. Alexander Nelson, with whom
he remained for a period of nine years. He also lived with another man
for one year. Ha\-ing heard of the wonderful republic across the sea,
Charles determined to try his fortunes in .\merica. to which countrv he came
in 1880. He had an uncle in Lafayette and one in Tipton countv. Indiana.
He came to the former place, and first worked for a farmer in Randnlph
township, later worked for Robert Sample, of Lafayette, in the car works
782
PAST AND PRESENT
for several years, also worked in the Pullman car shops one year. Then
he went to Henry county, Illinois, and worked on a railroad during the
summer, then worked on a farm for two years, after which he returned to
the car shops in Lafayette. Being- faithful to his duties and economical, he
was enabled during those years to lay by enough money to begin life for
himself.
]\Ir. Bergquist was married in 1878 to Amanda Gustafson, a native of
Sweden and a woman in every way worthy to be the helpmeet of an enter-
prising man like Mr. Bergquist. They have become the parents of six chil-
dren, namely : Florence, Roy, deceased ; Ruth, Alice, Frank and Harold.
In October, 1899, Mr. Bergquist located at South Raub, where he has
since resided. He purchased the store owned by William A. Ward, and he
has managed the same successfully, building up an extensive trade with the
surrounding community. He was appointed postmaster, and the two em-
ployments keep him busy. He handles large quantities of eggs and butter and
carries a well-selected stock of goods. He is truly a self-made man, and
the success that has attended his efforts shows him to be a good manager.
He is a Republican in politics and belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.
His reputation is that of an honest man who attends carefully to his own
business afifairs.
JOHN WILLIA^I CANN.
No man who has lived near Stockwell, Tippecanoe county, in recent
years stamped his personality upon the community in a more indelible m in-
ner than did John William Cann. who. after a long life of unusual industry
and honor, passed into the silent land amid the sorrowing multitude that
had long known and loved him, for they realized thit his place cc.uld never be
filled. He was born October 4, 1834. near Wheeling. West Virginia, the
son of Philip and Elizabeth (Hass) Cann, natives of West Virginia who
came early to Concord, Indiana, where they labored to establish a home in
the undeveloped region and where the father died; after this event Mrs.
Cann went to Illinois, later to Kansas, in which state she died in 1897. Thev
were the parents of seven children, named in order of birth as follows :
Margaret. Mary, John William, Peter, Robert, Christopher and Thomas.
The Hass family originated in Virginia, in w hich state the-\' were preeminent
in the early days, having owned large plantations and manv sla\-es, and.
like most of the inhabitants of the Old Dominion state in ante-bellum dav^.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 783
were noted for their unstinted hospitality. Finally members of this family
came to Indiana where they soon became identified with the new conditions
here and became well-to-do.
The early education of John W. Cann was obtained in the common
schools. It was necessary for him to look after the wants of his mother
and other members of the family, which he did like a dutiful son until his
marriage, on October 3, 1864, to Rachael Mildred DeHart. She was born
in Wea township on the old Allen DeHart farm, January 21, 1847, the
daughter of Allen and Maria (Holliday) DeHart, the former a native of
Ohio and the latter of Indiana. Allen DeHart came with his parents, Adam
and Mary (Howard) DeHart, to Wea township, Tippecanoe county, in
1825, when this section was wild and mostly uncultivated. Allen DeHart
was born February 25, 1825. In that year his parents, who were Virginians,
left that state for Ohio, where they remained for a short time before coming
on to Indiana. They reared a family and spent the remainder of their lives
in Tippecanoe county, having been pioneers in the section where they settled,
and they had for neighbors the Indians, who were then peaceable. Allen
DeHart was twice married, first to Maria Holliday, which union resulted
in the birth of only one child, Rachel Mildred, who became the wife of the
gentleman whose name heads this review. Mr. DeHart's second marriage
was with Emeline Williams, a native of Ohio, and one child was born to this
union, Lewis Milton DeHart, now a retired farmer living in Lafayette, In-
diana. He first married Zua Alima Hall, a native of Tippecanoe county,
by whom he had one child. Myrtle Olive; his second marriage was with
Mary Edwards, no children having been bcrn to the latter union.
Mr. and Mrs. John W. Cann were the parents of three children, namely:
Edward Curtis, who farms on the old home place in Wea township ; he
married Zelma Williams. Mary Ellen married James C. Davis, of near
Thorntown, Indiana, and became the mother of one child, Edna Ethel, who
married Carl Hedges, of Hendricks county, Indiana. Morton Colfax Cann
is a traveling salesman for the Smith Manufacturing Company of Chicago,
and lives in Lafayette, Indiana; he married Grace L. Shoemaker.
After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. John W. Cann settled in section 36.
Wea township, Tippecanoe county, where Mrs. Cann now lives on ninety-
eight acres. When they settled this place it was all wild and covered with
timber, but Mr. Cann was a hard worker and set about clearing the same,
finally developing an excellent farm and establishing a good home in which he
took a great delight and where he spent the major part of his time, having
been a good hu.sband and a kind father. Although he was verv active in
784 PAST AND PRESENT
local political aitairs, being a stanch I\e])uljlican. lie never soughl public
office. He was a member of the Christian church, with which Mrs. Cann is
also identified. He took much interest in the affairs of the local congregation
with which he affiliated. This good man was called to his rest April 5,
ic;o3. leaving behind him a comf(irtable home and competence for his family,
every member of which is well and favorably known in this locality, main-
taining the high standard of character and citizenship which he exemplified.
JOHX STEVEXS BUSH.
The subject of this sketch, who is now living in retirement at his com-
fortable home in Dayton, has had a long and honorable career and is now
enjoying the closing years of his life in pleasant retrospection of the years
which have held for him so many varied elements of life. Mr. Bush comes
of honorable ancestry and this sketch would be incomplete if menti(in were
not made of those from whom he has inherited those sterling qualities of
character which have characterized him.
The subject's paternal grandparents were William and Elizabeth
(Stevens) Bush. The latter's mother was Abigail Stevens, who died De-
cember 2^. 1839, at the age of eighty-nine years and eight days, and her
bod}' lies in the old Bush cemetery at Dayton. The Bush family is of English
descent, ^^'illiam Bush was b<^rn and reared in southern Xew York, but in
the early twenties he came to Indiana by the water route, going down the
Allegheny river to the Ohio, thence to the mouth of the Whitewater and
up to Connersville. Here they remained a year, during which period he
erected a mill. In the fall of 1824 they again started westward and located
at what is now Dayton, Tippecanoe county. Here William Bush entered
and later lx)ught fifteen hundred acres of land. In 1827 he divided a por-
tion of this land into town lots, to which be ga\e the name of Fairfield.
However, there being another town of tlie same name in Indiana, he found
it impossible to secure a postoffice here under that name and in 1830 it was
changed to Marquis, and suljsequently to that of Dayton, under which name
it has since been known.
At the first election, held probably in the spring of 1825, William Bush
was elected justice of the peace, in which ofifice he served a number of years.
After deciding on his new location, ]Mr. Bush at once entered on the task of
clearing the land' f > r cultivation, and he built a cijmfortable log cabin on the
JOHN S. BUSH
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 785
brow of the hill overlooking Wild Cat valley. This was the family home
for a number of years, and on this site is now located the Bush family
cemetery where lie his remains, together with those of his wife and mother-
in-law, Abigail Stevens. William Bush later built a frame house, the one
now occupied as a residence by Mr. Newhard. This homle became the stoi>-
ping place for the circuit-riding preachers of that day, who there found a
hospitfable welcome. It is related of William Bush that, while he gave the
preachers a hearty welcome and furnished them horse feed, he always in-
sisted that they should groom and feed their own steeds. His wife was a
faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church and he was a liberal
supixjrter of the same. He was a member of the Masonic lodge at La-
fayette, and in politics was a stanch Whig. His death occurred June i, 1854,
and his wife died February 11, 1846, at the age of sixty-two years. This
honored couple were the parents of the following children : John, Eliza
(who became the wife of Thomas J. Toole), Ezra (father of the immediate
subject of this sketch), William, Jared, David, Luther and Orlando.
Ezra Bush was born in New York state and came to Indiana with his
parents. He remained under the parental roof until his marriage, after
which he ran the old tavern until the death of his wife. They had become
the parents of one son, who was named Hickory in honor of the fact that he
was born on the day that Andrew Jackson defeated the British at New
Orleans. Hickory is now deceased. For a time after the death of his wife,
Mr. Bush traveled extensively, and then he settled on a farm south of Day-
ton, where he remained for a number of years. He then went to Lafay-
ette where he engaged in the monument business up to the time of his death,
which occurred in October, 1870. He was a member of the Masonic order
and retained a faithful connection with the Presbyterian church in his later
life. In politics he was a Republican. Mr. Bush first married Sairah A.
Bayless, a native of Hamilton, Ohio, of which unicn John S. Bush is the only
living child. In 1847 Mr. Bush married Martha McGeorge, and to them
were born two children, namely: Mary, the wife of Robert John, now
deceased, and she now resides at Houston, Texas; and Martha M., deceased.
John Stevens Bush was born at Dayton on the 13th of September, 1839,
and was here reared and educated. He remained with his parents until the
outbreak of hostilities between the North and the South, when, in August,
1862, he enlisted in Company G, Seventy-second Regiment Indiana Vol-
unteer Infantry. His command was assigned to the famous Wilder Brigade,
Army of the Cumberland, and with that command the subject saw some
arduous service. Much of the time he was emplnyed in chasing Morp-an's
(.SO)
736 PAST AND PRESENT
guerrilla command, and in this service he contracted ill health, which finally
put him on the inactive list and he was subsequently honorably discharged at
Bowling Green, Kentucky. He at once returned to his home at Dayton and
subsequently entirely regained his health. Going to Iroquois county, Illinois,
he engaged in farming and stock raising with fair success until 1892, when
he went into the drug business at Sheldon, Illinois, in which he was engaged
until 1900. In that year he removed to Culver, Indiana, and engaged in
the hotel business until 1908. Having accumulated a fair amount of means
and feeling the weight of years, he decided to retire from active business life
and return to his old home in Dayton, where he is now living.
While living in Illinois, Mr. Bush married Sarah B. Speck, whose death
occurred in 1902, and subsequently he wedded Mrs. Lydia Wilson, nee
Burkhalter. By her former marriage, Mrs. Bush had a daughter Mabel, who
becnmie the wife of William Ruger. They live in Dayton and are the par-
ents of a daughter, Florence Louise.
In matters political Mr. Bush is loyal to the Republican party and he
takes a keen interest in the trend of public events. In 1885 Mr. Bush was
made a Mason in Sheldon Lodge, No. 609, at Sheldon, Illinois, but subse-
quently dimitted to the lodge at Culver, Indiana, where he now holds mem-
bership. He is ialso a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, having
his name on the roster of the post at Culver. Though now practically re-
tired from life's active duties, Mr. Bush takes a deep interest in all that goes
on about him and renders a hearty support to those ^things which are for the
highest interests of the community. He possesses a genial personality and
has a large circle of friends.
JOSEPHINE M. MITCHELL. M. D.
The woman in medicine, once such a novelty as to excite wondering, has
long since ceased to challenge extraordinary attention. It was found that
she was especially adapted to the healing art, being a nurse by nature and
full of sympathy so essential to success in the sick room. While fully equial
to the requirements of every department, there were certain branches of
medicine where a special call seemed to be made for female super\'ision. In
diseases of women and children, in all hospitals devoted to these specialties,
the woman physician was peculiarly at home. Thus it has come to pass that
women physicians are now to be found everywhere in Europe and the
United States, and also among the heathen as medical missionaries Some of
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 787
them have risen to great eminence, both as speciahsts and general prac-
titioners. They are received on equal footing with men in the great univer-
sities, are welcomed in the most refined homes and often include in their
clientele the brightest and best men and women of our progressive com-
munities.
In Dr. Josephine M. Mitchell Lafayette possesses a fine sample of
the highly educated and fully equipped woman physician, equal to every
emergency and prepared by study and practice to treat the most difficult
cases. She is a native of New York and daughter of William H. Miner, for
many years a merchant in that state. He removed to Wisconsin and later to
Ohio, where Doctor Mitchell was married to John B. Mitchell, for many
years superintendent of bridges and' buildings of the Wabash railroad and
later in the same capacity on the Big Four. After his death, in 1894, she
took up the study of medicine. A preparatory course in science at Purdue
University was followed by the regular medical course in the University of
Michigan, from which she was graduated in 1901. During her senior year
in this university she was on the staff of the professor of gynecology and
obstetrics. After graduation she took the state examination of Indiana and
Illinois, after which she spent a year as house physician in the Hospital for
Women and Children at Detroit. She then went abroad for a year, doing
post-graduate work in London and Vienna, returning to Lafayette in 1903
to take up the practice of medicine.
Doctor Mitchell stands well in her profession and is an honored mem-
ber of the various societies devoted to physicians and their work. Included
in these are the Tippecanoe County, Indiana State and American Medical
Associations, besides such social and fraternity organizations as the Alpha
Epsilon Iota sorority and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She
is a member of the Presbyterian church and is connected with some of the
charity institutions, also a member of the executive lx)ard of the Society for
the Prevention of Tuberculosis.
DANIEL B. FRETZ.
The Lafayette family of this name is of Gemian origin. Daniel Fretz,
who was born in Pennsylvania, had a son named Enos, who was born at
the parental home in Lehigh county and married Sophia Brunner, of Alsace-
Lorraine. Both father and son came to Tippecanoe county in 1853 and lo-
cated in Perry township, where they spent the remainder of their da^-s.
788 PAST AND PRESENT
Enos Fretz, who was an only chiUl, learned the shoemaker's trade and fol-
lowed it as an occupation for twenty-seven years, during which time he gave
instructions to nine apprentices for terms of two years each. \Yhen he came
here alone in 1852 to look up a location, he bought eighty acres of timber.
a half-mile south of Pettit, and next year his parents joined him. He pur-
chased the Bains saw and grist mills, which he ran for over thirty years,
while farming at the same time. He was an active worker in the Cerman
Reformed church and became quite prominent as a citizen and business man .
in his community. He died in 1889. at the age of seventy-seven years, and
his wife passed away in 1886, aged sixty-eight. When they came to Tippe-
canoe countv there were eight children in the family. Elizabeth, the eldest,
married T. F. Reis, of Mulberry, Indiana ; Encs, the third child, died in No-
vember, 1908, at Mulberry, while in the marble and monument business;
he married Sallie ^loyer; William, the fourth child, married Pauline Roth
and is a farmer one-half mile east of >Ionitor, Indiana ; Sophia is the widow
of Presley Baker, of Perry township: Henry, who married Lulu Frey. is a
sawmill owner in Mellott. Fountain county, Indiana; Charles, who married
Kittie Karn. is a wealthy and up-to-date farmer and stock dealer, owning
three large farms; ^larv is the wife of James Rothenberger, of jMulberry;
Philip, the youngest child, and the only one born in Tippecanoe county, mar-
ried Retta Harlen, and runs a sawmill and lives in \'irginia.
Daniel B. Fretz. second in age of his father's nine children, was born
in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, January 20. 1839, and was about fourteen
vears old when his parents settled in this section. He remained at home
until twenty-two years old, spent three years in Indianapolis, working two
vears in the Etna mill and one year in the Capital flour mill. Immediately
after coming to Tippecanoe county he liegan working with his father in
the mill, and was consequently well up in the business by the time he reached
his majority. In 1864 he was married at Indianapolis to .\manda Brown,
of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, who died in 1866, leaving one child named
Sarah, now the wife of John Myer, of West Lafayette, with two children.
Carlton and Aldine. In 1867 Mr. Fretz married Almina Roth, of Clinton
county, Indiana, who died August 12, 1895. without issue. Januan,- 28.
1896. Mr. Fretz married Mary E. Etter, of Perry township, a daughter of
John H. and Susan fLeinger) Etter, of Franklin county. Pennsylvania,
who came to Tippecanoe county in 1865. By his last marriage, INIr, Fretz
has three children, Solomon, Maude and Theodore. After his first marriage
he ran the Pvrmont mill for two years and also managed his father's mill
for the same length of time. February 22, 1870, he located at Monitor, in
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 789
Perry township, and bought the mihs owned by Daggert, Potter & Martin.
In 1 87 1 he fitted up one of these as a gristmiU and converted the others into
a sawmill in 1885. Mr. Fretz has always done some farming en the side
and now owns a place of fifty-nine acres, which he cuhivates. He belongs
to the English Lutheran church and helped build the one at Pettit. He
is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America at ^Monitor. [Mrs. Fretz
is a breeder of White Leghorns and Light Brahma chickens and has a
fine lot of this class of high-grade poultry. In 1892 Mr. Fretz b^uilt a fine
home, which has gas and all the modern improvements.
WILLIA^I WERDEX SMITH.
Autobiography.
^^'illiam Werden Smith, the subject of this sketch, was born seven miles
west of Springfield, Clark county, Ohio, on July 7, 1835. His great-grand-
father. Hezekiah Smith, was born in Wales: came to America and settled in
New Jersey in the year 1740. His grandfather, Peter Smith, was born in
New Jersey, February 6, 1753, was educated at Princeton and was married
to Catherine Stout December 23, 1776, and resided in Philadelphia several
years. He wrote that in the winter 1777 he inoculated one hundred and
thirty persons for smallpox. This was before vaccination was practiced. In
the ye^r 1790 he moved to Georgia. Believing' slavery to be wrong, he always
advocated the freedom of the slave and the education of the colored race. In
1787 congress passed an ordinance organizing the Northwest territory, lying
north of the Ohio river and including what is now the states of Ohio. Indiana,
Illinois, Michigan and W'isconsin. In this ordinance slavery or involuntary
servitude was forever prohibited from any part of this territory. Grandfather
decided to move his family to free territory and in the year 1794 he, with
five or six other families, arranged to move to the Northwest territory, the
country through which they passed being a wilderness. The only roads they
had to guide them were the Indian trails blazed through the wilderness. Be-
fore starting they organized bv electing Grandfather captain. They used
pack horses, on which everything they had was carried. Grandfather's fam-
ily consisted of nine children, two of these, the youngest, being twins. Father
Abraham Smith, being six years old, remembered a great many incidents
of this journey. Grandmother rode a large horse and led another horse on
which the twins were placed, each in a basket, especially prepared, being
790 PAST AND PRESENT
fastened together and placed on tlie horse, one on each side, so that they
balanced. In these baskets were good pillows, so that it made a comfortable
way of riding. They made a rule of going into camp on Friday evening,
always trying to camp on some stream of water, and not breaking camp until
Monday morning. This gave them a chance to do their washing, and Sunday
was strictly a day of rest and for religious worship. They crossed the Ohio
river and located at Columbia, five or six miles above the present site of
Cincinnati. The fort was located where Cincinnati now stands, and William
Henry Harrison, then a young man, had charge of the fort. During the
years of residence on a farm near Cincinnati Grandfather practiced medicine
and spent the time in preaching, the records of the old Baptist church showing
that he was ordained pastor of the Duck Creek church in 1801. In 1805
Grandfather moved to what was then known as the Miami country, and
located on Donnel's creek, about seven miles west of the present city of
Springfield, Ohio. But few others had preceded him to the i\Iad river
country. Flere he and his sons located on three half-sections of land, and a
part of this in after years became the home of my father, Abraham Smith.
Here on this farm was born our family of nine children, I being the youngest.
Grandfather spent nearly all his later years in life in preaching, traveling on
horseback. In two or three different years he traveled as far east as the state
of New York, attending yearly meetings, which were similar to our camp
meetings. Father, having sold his farm, in September, 1845, with two good
horses and a covered wagon, started for the West, in fact, for the far West,
which meant Illinois. Our line of travel was the old National Road, built by
the United States government. It was completed as far west as Sprino"field,
Ohio, but from there on through Indiana to Terre Haute the roadway was
cleared through the heavy timber one hundred feet wide, bridges and culverts
were built, Washington street, Indianapolis, being a part of this road. About
this time the road was turned over by the government to the states through
which it passed. The first place of note, and dreaded by all movers, was
what was known as the Black Swamp, which lay about half way between
Indianapolis and the Ohio state line, and was about thirty miles through.
The next place v "s Indianapolis, which was a straggling town with but little
trade and a poor faiminn- country surrounding it, and was noted only as the
capital of the state. The next place we came to was Terre Haute. It and
Lafayette were two of the best towns in Indiana on account of the river
navigation and the Wabash-Erie canal, which extended from Toledo, Ohio, to
Evans\-ille. Indiana. Father located in Lawrence county, Illinois, and bought
an impni\ed farm alxnit twenty miles west of \"incennes. Deer and wild
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 79I
turkey \\ere plentiful. Deer were killed from October ist to February ist.
Every neighborhood had its hunter who would usually kill from seventy-five
to one hundred deer during the season. There was good demand for the
hides and a saddle of venison (which meant the hams and loins together).
In the fall of the year everybody could have venison. Every cabin had its
spinning wheel and loom. We raised our sheep and flax and made our own
clothing. Corn and buckwheat was largely used for bread, as there was
but little wheat raised at this time. There were a few horse mills for grind-
ing corn scattered over the country. Horses were fastened to a lever and
driven around and around, but it would take two or three hours to grind a
bushel of corn. In the fall of the year we would take a lead of corn and
buckwheat sufificient to last until the next April, and go some distance to
a water mill. The buckwheat when ground was carried by hand to a bolt and
many a time have I turned the crank to bolt the flour for our buckwheat cake.
\\'e had the satisfaction of knowing we had the pure buckwheat flour, but
sometimes it was pretty gritty, being threshed on the ground and cleaned by
making wind with a sheet instead of a wind mill, which was often done. The
attraction for the young people was preaching, the Sunday and singing
schools. Camp meetings were looked forward to with unusual interest, the
camp ground being located near us in a beautiful grove. Instead of the
modern cottage was the log cabin, covered with clapboards, with weight poles
to hold them in place. Puncheons were split from trees for the floors of
the cabins and for seats. The meetings would continue about six weeks.
The spiritual feeling ran high and was demonstrated in no uncertain way in
the preaching, singing, prayers and shouting. It was looked forward to as
one great general meeting ground, where families and friends, separated by
the demands of necessity for the greater part of the year, were reunited. It
meant social as well as religious life to our forefathers. Their lives were
lived along different lines than these of their grandchildren. They took time
to live and enjoy as they went along. With laden baskets of good things to
eat, the father, mother and children went happily on their way to the grove
where the meeting was to be held, and once there, happiness reigned supreme.
The women discussed household afifairs, the men crops and politics, until the
hour of service. When the speaker spoke, as a rule, it was not in the well
trained tones of the modern scholar of theology, or the picturesque language
of the modern evangelist. He held forth on the iniquities of life, the dangers
of hell. His voice was loud, his gestures at times uncouth, but the flame of
a stern resolve blazed from his eyes. We had giants in those days, Peter
Cartwright, James B. Finlev. Richard Hargrave and others, and much good
793 PAST AND PRESENT
was done; each and all accepted the simple statement that, "Be good and vou
go to heaven — be bad and you go to hell," as conclusive, and shaped their
lives accordingl)'. As the result of these meetings, think of the home life
kept pure, the sorrowing hearts comforted, the children trained, spiritual life
sustained, the moral sentiment inculcated ; giving permanency to order, value
to property, dignity to law, lifting the fallen, and educating the ignorant. If
the shades of our grandparents attended one of our modern services, listened
to the learned lecture of the preacher, heard the music of the organ, the trained
voices singing the hymns, they would wonder much wherein it was an im-
provement over the old days. When some sister would start singing with
much earnestness some good old-fashioned hymn she thought suitable for the
occasion, immediately after instead of the congregation looking around at her
with shocked looks, the entire crowd would join in and sing itself into a
trance of spiritual enjoyment, that made rugged faces beautiful, and lifted
them upward to the plane of higher things.
In the summer of 1852 I taught a subscription school in one of the camp-
ground cabins, and boarded at the homes of the scholars. In our spelling
matches I was seldom beaten. I had mastered arithmetic, in addition, subtrac-
tion, multiplication and division, which was all we needed at that time, could
write a plain hand and was in demand as a teacher. In the winter of 1852-3
I taught a school in one of the oldest school districts in the county and taught
the same school in the winter of 1853-4. In the winter of 1854-5 I was
called to a new district, a large new house, and a school that averaged fifty
scholars. Here was a number of grown-up ladies and men, well satisfied
and considered a complete education all they needed if they could leirn to
spell, read and write and master the first four divisions of arithmetic. In the
summer time I worked on the farm and at any extra jobs that I could get,
if I could make twenty-five cents a day. The fall before I left home I con-
tracted for and made five thousand rails at thirty-five cents per hundred to
be ricked upon the stump. In those days we needed but little money and
had less than we needed, our only money for years being silver ^Mexican
quarters and English bits (twelve and one-half cents), and fip-penny bits,
six and one-fourth cents. Sometimes we would get a fi\-e-franc French piece,
worth ninety-five cents.
In March, 1855, I decided to come to Lafayette and got on a steamboat
at Vincennes which was loaded from Cincinnati, Ohio, for Lafayette, Indiana,
arriving in Lafayette March 15, 1855. When we tied up at the wharf at the
foot of Main street there were two other steamboats from New Orleans load-
ing or unloading. Our entire traffic was almost entirely by water, either by
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND.
793
the ri\er or canal and the traffic on the canal, both freight and passenger, was
at its best. The W^abash raih-cad was building at this time, and when com-
pleted two years later killed the canal and, in fact, all water transportation.
Fowler, Earl & Reynolds had a wholesale grocery store in the north end of
the Purdue block, and the country- for a hundred miles east, north and west
traded here. There was a hotel and wagon yard on the bill A\-here tlie Oak-
land House is, and also a betel and wagon yard, known as the Fountain
House, located where the Kern packing- house now is. In the fall of the
year these yards were crowded with farmers and movers, teams and wagons.
We had four first-class hotels at this time, the Labr, the Bramble, then new,
the Jones Hotel, where the Earl & Hatcher block now stands, and the City
Hotel, where the St. Nicholas now is. These all did a thriving business,
usually crowded, as travel was heavy. I had a brother, Joseph K. Smith, and
an uncle, Ira Smith, who lived here, and after staying a few days and not
finding anything I could get at I got on a packet and went to Logansport.
From ther£ I went twelve mil^s northeast of Logansport and stopped with
a cousin, and in the neighborhood I took a job of clearing fifteen acres of
land. It was a very thick and heavy growth of young timber and brush and
I had to leave the ground ready for the plow. This was a hard job, and as I
had worked many a day before at twenty-five cents a day, I thought I could
do so again, and could not afford to hy itlle. A\'hile here I went one and a
half miles to Sunday-school at the old Bethel ^Methodist Episcopal church.
Stephen Euritt was our teacher, and the friendship of teacher and scholar
lasted f(jr nearly fifty-four years, we ba\'ing kept in touch and met frequently
up until the time of his death, in February, 1909. He was well fixed in this
world's goods and died rich in the prospect of a happy future.
While here I was well acquainted with a five-hundred-acre farm — little
do we know of our future, as I have owned this farm for the last ten years.
When done with this job of clearing, in October, I decided to go back to
Lafayette, came down on a packet, landed at the foot of Ferrv street at four
o'clock a. m., October 15, 1855. Whatever money I had earned outside of
my clothing and necessary expenses up until I was twenty-one vears old I
sent to my father, so that when I counted my money on this October morn-
ing I had nine dollars and five cents. My brother Joseph was running a
meat market in the cellar under the Barbee Bank, southwest corner of the
square, now the Emsing corner. I hired to him to do whatever I could do,
from May ist to about December ist. We attended market on Tuesday and
Saturday mornings, at the market space west of the Labr house. I tried to
learn every detail cf the business, and in the winter of 1856 I bought my
794 PAST AND PRESENT
brother's business, which included slaughter house, two horses and meat
wagon, tools, etc.. agreeing to pay one thousand four hundred and ninety-
eight dollars, making two notes, one-half due in six months and one-half
due in one year, notes drawing ten per cent, interest. I took possession the
first day of March, 1857. I could raise about one hundred dollars, but during
the year I had formed the friendship of some noble men, which was better
now to me than money. Among these were Benjamin Crist, one of God's
noblemen, rich in friendship and confidence. He says: "I have five good
steers well fattened ; I want five cents for them ; you come out and the boy
will help you drive them in, weigh them and when tax-paying time comes
let me have enough money to pay my tax. and the balance I will get as I need
it." C. M. Crist, who lives near the old home place now, was the boy. I
started out to pay those notes as they became due, and I did it and had some
money over. These were the days of "wild-cat" money. A large portion of
the money in circulation was of this class, such money as the " Alichigan Plank
Road," "Logansport Insurance Company," was largely in circulation here.
The State Bank of Indiana and the State Bank of Ohio had furnished a good
paper money for all purposes, but their charters, which were for twenty years,
having expired the legislature refused to renew them and thev went into
liquidation. This left us for about two yenrs with no banking law until the
winter of 1857-8, when the legislature of Indiana passed a hw authorizing
banks to organize and issue circulation by depositing with the secretary of
state certain class of bonds. Under this law the Gramercy Bank was or-
ganized and did business here in the Jones Hotel building. Two shrewd
young men from New York state started this bank and issued a large cir-
culation. They decided to start another bank in the south part of the state
and went to the secretary of state and asked him to loan them, for a few
days, the use of the Ijonds they had deposited for the purpose of organizing
a new bank. He, wishing to accommodate them, which is liable to be the
case in all elected ofiicers, let them have the bonds, but instead of starting a
new bank they came back to Lafayette, closed their bank in the evening, and
between the daylights they took everything of value from the bank and left
for parts unknown. The next morning the doors failed to open at the proper
time, which soon drew an anxious crowd of depositors. When the safe was
opened everything was gone, nothing left to the depositors or to redeem the
circulation. Six or eight years afterward these shrewd young men communi-
cated from Canada through an attorney here and arranged to settle with their
depositors in full. l)y giving them their individual notes. This stopped all
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 795
criminal proceeding and ended the chapter, as the depositors never received
anything on their notes.
The State Bank of Indiana had branch banks located in some of the
best towns of the state. Cyrus G. Ball, whose first wife was a daughter of
Uncle Ira Smith's, was president of the bank here during the years of its
existence. The bank was located at the southwest corner of Sixth and Main
streets, now occupied by Kienly's drug store. The bank building and Judge
Ball's residence were built together and part of the residence as it then stood
adjoins the drug store on the south. The style of these bank buildings was
the same all over the state, four large columns, twenty or twenty-five feet
high, forming an alcove in front. In the spring of 1859 I bought a house
and lot of John L. Reynolds at the southeast corner of Fifth and Wall streets.
This I remodeled by making it from a one-story to a two-story house, ar-
ranging it for a future residence. On the first day of June, 1859, my wife and
I were married. Her maiden name was Melissa E. Johnston, and she lived
with her mother, a widow, in New Carlisle, Ohio. Her father and mother
were pioneer settlers on Donnel's creek, and owned a farm a short distance
from father's farm.
The year i860 brought with it the most exciting political campaign
that has ever occurred in this country. The Republican party in the West
had such known leaders as Lincoln and Logan, of Illinois; Indiana had its
Henry S. Lane, Oliver P. Morton, Schuyler Colfax, James Wilson, memlaer
of Congress from this district and brother to the late William C. Wilson,
of this city. Lafayette had its Dan Mace, Godlove S. Orth, William C.
Wilson, Albert S. White and others. We fully realized that a crisis was
imminent, but the North had fully decided that the time had come when the
slavery question should be settled, and voted accordingly. The result of the
campaign was that Lincoln was elected, having carried every northern state.
Secession of the extreme southern states followed. When the telegraph came
saying that Fort Sumter in Charleston harbor had been fired on, here in La-
fayette the court house, church and fire l^ells rang, excited, determined men
paraded the streets led by the martial music, business was suspended, such men
as H. T. Sample,Thomas T. Benbridge, Jo Hanna, Martin L. Pierce, Adams
Earl, Moses Fowler. Gen. J. J. Reynolds and the Reynolds brothers, John
L. and William F., the Heaths, Pykes and others, headed the procession.
Such scenes as this occurred all over the North, and when the first call was
made for volunteers the ranks were filled and hundreds turned away. A re-
cruiting office was opened in a small frame building about where the Gillian
Fatins: House is. The Packard Iirothers plavcd the fife and drum, and for
796 PAST AND PRESENT
the next tliree years from daylight until midnight you could hear that martial
music. Four or five regiments were recruited here as headquarters, and their
camping ground was on the hill south of the city. If Third street was ex-
tended south over the hill, it would strike the camping ground. When a
regiment was filled the country and city would turn out to see them leave for
the front. It might he that nearly every one in the crowd had a relative
or a friend in that regiment, well knowing what it meant when they said
good-bye, but there was no flinching in those days. In the summer of 1862
I had saved money enough to pay for and I bought eighty acres of land at
fifty dollars per acre, and had enough money left to buy teams and tool^
for farming. The land was located about the center of the Wea plains. I
moved on the farm and put out a crop of wheat that fall. During the winter
I bought one hundred and forty acres adjoining me on the north, of the
Ellsworth heirs, giving fifty dollars an acre, and giving my notes at eight
per cent, interest. Soon after, I bought eighty acres more at fifty dollars
per acre. This gave me three hundred acres of land lying in a scjuare farm,
and now owned by William \\ Stuart. I had on two occasions tried to en-
list, but it was at a time when the government could not arm the men as
fast as they offered their services, but now I was situated to do much more
good for the cause than I could ha\-e done in the ranks. I was elected trus-
tee of the township and served in this oifice four terms. We organized our
township of Wayne to fill cur quota of men for the armv at call. After the
first battle of Bull's Run, where the Union army met a reverse and in fact
was meeting reverses on every hand, volunteering became very slow, and
the government had to resort to a draft to fill the depleted ranks. Everv
able-bodied man between the ages of twenty-one and forty-five was subject
to draft. The draft was for three hundred thousand men. divided among
the states, giving each state its quota, the state divided into counties, the
counties to townships, so that each township knew the number of men it hid
to raise. Here our township organization came in. Tipijeciuioe countv Ind
appropriated three hundred and sixty-three tin usand dollars to be used to
support the families of those that went to the army, and the trustee of each
township had this in charge. The government had offered a bounty of four
hundred dollars for any that would re-enlist, whose time had expired; say,
Wayne township's quota was twenty men, so by taking the four hundred dol-
lars of government bounty and adding from five to eight hundred dollars
to it with the provision that the onmty would 'Support their families, we
had no trouble in filling our quota (if the draft for three-year men from men
who Iiad seen service and were drilled. A man that was drafted if he pre-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 797
ferred to go and take the bounty could do so, but we had cases where men
were drafted who had large families or some one dependent on them, and in
these cases a substitute came in. These years of the war were the farmer's
harvest. It was an easy time to pay debts, as crops were good and prices
high. I have had the honor and pleasure of shaking hands with and hearing
speak six of our Presidents, namely : Lincoln, Grant, McKinley, Harrison,
Roosevelt and Taft. I have also shaken hands and heard Fremont and
Blaine, candidates for the presidency. I have cast fourteen votes for Presi-
dent. Three of these votes were lest, Fremont, Blaine and one for Harrison.
In 1884 I was nominated by the Republicans for county treasurer and Blaine
was the candidate for President. He carried the county by one hundred and
eleven majority, and I was elected by about the same majority. I was
nominated for a second term two years later and was re-elected by between
thirteen and fourteen hundred majority. September i, 1885, we moved back
to Lafayette, as I went into the treasurer's office August 25, 1885. We had
spent twenty-three years on the farm. In the summer of 1890 the Lafayette
National Bank, John W. Heath president, arranged to close out their busi-
ness on account of the death of Mr. Heath. This left an opening for a new
bank, and at the instigation of James Murdock, Charles B. Stuart, John B.
Ruger, William C. Mitchell, John Wagner, Sr., S. C. Curtis and \\\ W.
Smith early in October met in the office now occupied by Brockenbrough
as an insurance office to talk in reg-ard to organizing a national bank. The
result of that talk was the organization of the Merchants National Bank
with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars. A board of directors was
elected, including the above names, to which was added William Horn. The
directors organized by electing James Murdock president, W. W. Smith
vice-president, these officers being continued up until the death of Mr. Mur-
dock. The bank opened its doors January i, 1891, and had only gotten a
good start when the panic of 1893-4-5-6 came on. From a high state of
prosperity which we had, for three and one-half years came one of the worst
depressions this country has ever had. A horse that ordinarily would sell
for two hundred dollars would bring forty or fifty dollars: wheat was
forty cents, corn fifteen to eighteen cents, and I sold oats at eight cents a
bushel. Land dropped one-half or more. These prices did not fully reflect
the effects of the panic, as there was no demand for anything. On July 4,
1887, through the efforts of James Murdock, natural gas was pij^ed into the
city and a demonstration was made at Columbian Park. We had the benefit
of this fuel for about sixteen years. Through the efforts of Mr. Murdock
an interurban line was built from here to Logansport, connecting with Ft.
798 PAST AND PRESENT
Wayne, and also another one from here to the Battle Ground, expecting it to
be extended to Ash Grove, Brookston, Chahners, Reynolds to Alonticello.
To realize the changes in the city, go back to the time when I came here,
when Lafayette was confined west of Sixth street and south of Brown street.
The old cemetery was still in existence where the German Catholic church
now is. The fall of 1858 the county fair was held on the commons a little
east of the cemetery. The towns of the county, many of them which are
now wiped off the map, or are known by other names, follow : Starting u])
the Wabash we had Americus, Jewettsport, Harrisonville (now Battle
Ground), Fulton, Kingston (now West Lafayette). West Lafayette was then
located on the river bank just below the railroad bridge. On down a little
above the old mouth of Wea creek on the north side of the river, was located
Cincinnatus. Here was a ferry and people from west crossed here and went
up the creek to the Hawkins grist mill. This town was extinct when I came
here and was only referred to by the older settlers as the probable site of the
old Lidian town. This theory was sustained by the fact that many Lidian
graves were found in the bottoms opposite the town of Cincinnatus and was
supposed to be an Indian burying ground. Li later years the great number
of skeletons that have been exposed by the washing and the plowing of the
soil proves this was a burying ground. We come down the river to Gran-
ville, on the south side of the river. Then on the north side was LaGrange,
near Black Rock, and farther down on the south side near the Fountain
county line was located Maysville, nearly opposite Independence. A great
amount of pork was bought and shipped from Maysville to New Orleans by
John Sherry, Asa Earl and others. We come now to inland towns. There
was Middleton (now West Point), Columbia (now Romney), Baker's Corner
(now Stockwell). The town of Dayton was originally platted as Marquis De
Fairfield, and Dayton. The legislature in 1831 passed an ate stating that on
account of the confusion of names that the town be called Dayton.
I have belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since May,
1858. Our family consists of four children, namely: Marcellus L. Smith,
born in 1861, and Rosa B. Smith, his wife, have one daughter, Edith Mote
Smith, aged eighteen years. Werdie P. Smith, born in 1866, and Gertrude
Fort Smith, his wife, have two children, Warren W. Smith and Loretta,
aged ten and two years respectively; these two families live in Oakland,
California. Carrie B. Smith, born in 1863, and Adam Wallace, her husband,
have two children, Kenneth and Frances, ages eighteen and eight years.
Ddoss W. Smith, born 1874, and Clara Lang Smith, his wife, have one
daughter, Sidney M. Smith, three years old. Deloss W. Smith is assistant
cashier and receiving teller at the Merchants National Bank of this citv.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 799
This article is much longer than I had thought of writing, but there
are so many things in the way of reminiscences of the pioneer days and of
early settlers that if I ha\e been able to make a few uf these plain, I am
content.
W. W. Smith.
MONFORD PAUL.
Owing to the fact that Monford Paul did not seek any royal road to
success but began in a legitimate way to advance himself, he is today num-
bered among the leading agriculturists and representative citizens of Perry
township, Tippecanoe county, having reached the goal of prosperity and in-
dependence because he has worked for it and deserved it. His birth occurred
February 13, 1840, in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, the son of Reuben Paul,
also of that county. The latter was born October 12, 1812, the son of John
and Hetty (Haupt) Paul, Hetty Haupt having also been a native of Lehigh
county. The Paul family were residents of the old Keystone state for sev-
eral generations. Reuben Paul's education was obtained in the common
schools. He was reared on the home farm, and when twenty years of age
began to learn the blacksmith's trade, which he followed with much success
for twenty years. On August 3, 1834, he married Levina Haupt, a native
of Allen county, Pennsylvania, and the daughter of George and ]\Iary Haupt.
Reuben Paul lived in White Hall, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, until 185 1,
when, in company with Charles Moyer, Urwin Jones and Charles Miller, he
came to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, this coterie of rugged frontiersmen hav-
ing made the toilsome journey with one two-horse team which drew an old-
style wagon. They were three weeks and three days making the trip. Reuben
settled in section 26, Perry township, where he got eighty acres of land,
fifty-five acres of which had been cleared, and on it stood a small frame
house. For the whole he paid one thousand six hundred and fifty dollars.
He made a splendid home here, built a fine brick dwelling in 1859, and had
one of the best places in the township.
To Reuben Paul and wife eleven children were born, namely : Thomas
F., a carpenter and undertaker living at Piermont, Indiana; Tilghman is
deceased; Susanna married Joseph Peterson, of Battle Ground, this county;
Monford, of this review; Alfred, a farmer in Perry township; Mary Ann
married James Wetzell, of Carroll county, Indiana ; Sarah married William
800 PAST AND PRESENT
Roth, of Carroll county; Rebecca is the widow of Thomas Yoiint and lives
at Mulberry, Indiana; Catherine is deceased; Fremont, who livetl on the
old homestead in Perry township, is now deceased. Four of these sons were in
the war of the Rebellion and made gallant soldiers. Thomas, Monford and
Tilghman all enlisted for one year, in February', 1865, in Company B, One
Himdred and Fiftieth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry; Alfred enlisted
in November of that year for three years in the Sixty-fourth Battery, Tenth
Artillery. The parents of these children, Reuben and Hetty Paul. !i\ed to
celebrate their golden wedding. They were members of the Lutheran church
and were good people.
Monford Paul received only a limited education owing to the lack of
schools and the fact that it was early necessary for him to work. He learned
the carpenter's trade and became a very skilled workman. On January i,
1868. he decided to start the New Year right by marrv'ing the lady of his
choice, Amanda DeLong, who was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania,
the daughter of Peter DeLong, a full sketch of whom appears elsewhere in
this work.
After his marriage, Monford Paul settled in Clinton county, Indiana,
where he remained two years and got a good start on the road to prosperity.
He lived at Dayton, Indiana, for six years. Then he lived with his parents for
a period of eighteen years, or until their death. In 1894 he located at
Pettit, Indiana, where he has since resided. He worked at the carpenter's
trade for many years and built some of the best houses and barns in the com-
munities where he lived, being a ver}- skilled mechanic. He is now^ living
in honorable retirement and is enjoying the fruits of his early years of toil.
During his career as a soldier he was in Virginia, having taken part in the
hot engagements in the famous Shenandoah valley and in different places.
In his political relations, ^Ir. Paul is a Republican, and he and his wife
are members of the Oxford Reform church. No people in the vicinity of
Pettit have more friends or are better known than ^Ir. and Mrs. Paul and
their children.
GEORGE \V. SWITZER, D. D.
Since the early pioneer days the name Switzer has been a familiar one
in Tippecanoe county, and only a cursory glance down the annals of the same
is sufficient to ascertain that members of this family during each succeeding
generation have played well their parts in the development and general prog-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 8oi
ress of this locality. Perhaps one of the best known of the present gener-
ation is the Rev. George ^^^ Switzer, of Lafayette, who was born in Shelby
township, Tippecanoe county, Indiana, November 2, 1854, the son of Peter
and Catherine (Shambaugh) Switzer, who were eaidy settlers in this coun-
ty. Peter Switzer, a rugged pioneer and influential character in the early
stages of developanent of this section of the Hoosier state, was born in Ross
county. Ohio. November 27. 1818, and he was the son of Abraham Switzer,
a picturesque type of the "first settler" who came with his family to Indiana
in 1828, settling amid the wilds of Tippecanoe county. Catherine Sham-
baugh, daughter of Jacob Shambaugh and granddaughter of George Sham-
baugh, who landed in Philadelphia September 9, 1749, and whose sons
fought in the Revolutionary war, was born in Perry county, Pennsylvania,
July I, 1820, and she accompanied her parents to Tippecanoe county. In-
diana, in 1828. the family settling on, a farm adjoining that of the Switzers,
ten miles west of Lafayette. Peter Switzer and Catherine Shambaugh were
united in marriage September 18, 1841, and until the death of Peter Switzer,
March 5, 1879, lived in Shelby township, most of the time on their farm in
the northern part of the township. Peter Switzer was a man of exemplary
character, successful as an agriculturist and admired by his neighbors for his
generosity and friendliness.
l\Irs. Peter Switzer, a woman of beautiful Christian attributes and an
inspiration to all who come into her grncious presence, is living in Otterbein,
this state, at the advanced age of eighty-nine years, and is well preserved
in bodily health and vigor.
George W. Switzer. whose name introduces these paragraphs, is one of
a family of ten children, named in order of birth as follows: John W.. de-
ceased; Leah Jane, deceased in infancy; Sarah C, who married James Darby,
lives in Fowler, Benton county, Indiana; Mary M., who married James
Hawkins, lives in Otterbein, Benton county; Jacob resides in Tippecanoe
county; Abraham lives in Otterbein, Indiana; George ^^^. subject of this
sketch; William F.. a resident of Hammond, this state; Charles F. lives in
Tippecanoe county; Isnac Elmer makes his home in Otterbein.
Rev. George \\'. Switzer spent his early youth on tlie home farm and
attended the common schools; not satisfied with a primarv education, he
entered DePauw (formerly Asbury) University, from which institution
he was graduated in 1881, and having long been actuated bv a laudalile de-
sire to enter the ministry he soon afterwards began regular work, and since
1882 he has been a member of the Northwest Indiana conference, ^letho-
Csi)
802 PAST AND PRESENT
dist Episcopal cliurch. He was married on September 20, 1881, to Lida
Westfall, daughter of the late Harvey Westfall.
During his ministerial career, Reverend Switzer has spent fifteen years
in Tippecanoe county. For three years, from 1884 to 1887, he was the
pastor of Shawnee Mound Methodist Episcopal church. He has also filled
the following appointments: Morton circuit, two years, while a student in
college; Plainfield circuit, Crawfordsville, Brazil and LaPorte. In Septem-
ber, 1895, he was appointed pastor of the West Lafayette Methodist Episco-
pal church, and during his pastorate there of six years he led in the building
of the splendid church edifice that now stands for the use of that congrega-
tion, costing over twenty-five thousand dollars. In 1903 he was appointed
presiding elder of the Lafayette district, and iov six years served in that
capacity. He was delegate to the general conference of this denomination,
held in Baltimore, Maryland, in May, 1908. For the past six years he has
been president of the Lafayette Young ]\Ien's Christian Association, having
served in that office during the erection of the splendid new building that
stands as one of the public institutions of Lafayette.
Rev. George W. Switzer has long taken much interest in the work of
the Young Men's Christian Association and tvvice he has been vice-president
of the state organization, and served as its president for one year. He is
at the present time a member of the advisory committee of the state board
of trustees and visitors of DePauw University. He is also a member of the
joint board.
At the present time Doctor Switzer is enjoying a rest from official ap-
pointment, having finished his term as district superintendent. He will give
special attention to the Young Men's Christian Association, looking after its
finances and also after the American National Bank, of which he has been
a director since its organization and is now its vice-president.
Fraternally the subject belongs to the Masonic order, holding member-
ship at Crawfordsville, Indiana, and he has served as prelate of the Craw-
fordsville Commander}-, No. 25, Knights Templar, for a numlier of years.
Doctor Switzer's home is at No. 617 Feriy street, Lafayette. Mrs. Switzer
and the two children, Nellie G. and \'incent W.. with the husband and father
constitute the household. The son, a graduate of Illinois University, is con-
nected with the Baker-\'awter Company, of Cliicago and New York. The
daughter is a member of the home, having graduated from DePauw I'ni-
versity and traveled in Euro]ie. Doctor Switzer is a member of the l>oard
of managers of the Lafayette Charity Organization Society and he and ^Irs.
Switzer are hoth members of the Woman's Christian Home Society, an in-
stitution that looks after homeless women and girls.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 803
LYMAN LEWIS DRYER.
It is with marked satisfaction that the biographer adverts to the Hfe
of one who has had a successful career despite the most discouraging and
unpromising circumstances at the outset. Such a hfe abounds in lesson and
incentive and cannot but pro\e a stimulus to those whose fortunes and des-
tinies are still matters for the future to determine. The subject of this sketch,
though left practically an orphan at the tender age of ten years, courageously
set out to make his own way in the world and, in the face of obstacles that
would have utterly discouraged one of less stamina and determination, he
won for himself not only a fair pecuniary reward, but also the honest regard
and esteem of those with whom he has been for many years thrown in con-
stant contact. Now, in the golden sunset of life, he can look over the vista
of the past and realize that, all in all. the '"lines have been cast for him in
pleasant places," and he faces the future with the calm assurance that "all
is well."
Lyman Lewis Dryer is a native son of Lidiana, having been born at
Brookville, Franklin county, on February 6, 1824. His parents, Aaron and
Mary (Lewis) Dryer, were natives of the state of New York, and in the
spring of 1833 the family removed from their Franklin county home to
Dayton, Tippecanoe county. Here, in the spring of 1834, the mother laid
down the burden of life, and in the following spring the father went back
to his old home in New York state, where his death afterwards occurred.
Lyman Dryer was but nine years of age when he suffered the loss of his
mother and but ten when his father left him, so that he was practically
orphaned at an age when a boy most needs the care, guidance and advice of
parents. Though deeply conscious of the seriousness of his condition, the
young lad bravely set out to take care of himself. His opportunities for ob-
taining an education were extremely meagre, but he improved every chance
offered him to learn and thus early in life formed a habit which has clung
to him ever since, that of absorbing information from ever^• source, until
today he is considered a well-informed man along many lines.
The subject's first labor was as a farm hand, though he was variously
occupied, gladly accepting any employment he could find, until he was
eighteen years of age, when he went to Lafayette and apprenticed himself
to learn the printing trade in the office of the old Journal. He proved a faith-
ful employee and remained in that office until about 1847. His marriage
occurred in 1850, when he went to Dayton and engaged in the cooperage
804 PAST AND PRESENT
business. He was careful in business matters and honest in his work, and
was successful in this business to a satisfactory degree, continuing to operate
the factory for twenty years, at the end ut which time he was enabled to retire
from active business. He is now taking lite comparatively easy, though
still keenly alive to all that is going on in the world about him. As a testi-
monial to his high standing in the community, it may be stated that M.v.
Dryer has served as justice of the peace for over fifty consecutive years, and
a most notable fact in connection with his administration of the ofhce is the
fact that during this more than half a century of judicial service he has
never had a single case reversed by a higher court, notwithstanding the fact
that quite a number of cases have been appealed from his court. During the
administration of President Benjamin Harrison, Air. Dryer served efhciently
as the postmaster of Dayton, his four years" service being marked by con-
tinued satisfaction to the patrons of the office. He enjoys the distinction of
having lived in Dayton longer than any person now living here, and is prob-
ably better informed as to local history than any one else.
In 1850 Lyman L. Dryer was married to Drucilla Blackledge, a native
of Rush county, Indiana, and theirs was a most happy and enjoyable com-
panionship for fifty-five years, her death occurring in 1905. She was a lady
of many fine qualities of character and was held in the highest esteem by all
who knew her. She was, as is her husband, a inember of the Universalist
church. There is now no church of this denomination at Dayton, but while
there was one here Air. Dryer was one of the most active members, ha\ing
served a number of years as president of the church board.
In politics the subject is a stanch Republican and lias e\er given his
party faithful support. On Alarch i, 185J, he was raised a blaster Mason
in Dayton Lodge, No. 103, and is now a past master of that body, having
filled all the chairs. He is also a member of the Eastern Star chapter at
Dayton, having been given the work by Robert Alorris, the founder of the
order, Ijefore a chapter had been organized in the state of Indiana. It is
now thought that he is the oldest living member of the order in the state.
ALFRED PAUL.
Of the many enterprising citizens that the state of Pennsylvania has
sent to Indiana, and particularly Tippecanoe county, none are more deserv-
inq- of specific nieiitioii than Alfred Paul, the well-known farmer of Perrv
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 805
township, owing to the fact that his hfe has been exemplary and he has
done his fuH share in upbuilding the community where he chanced to settle.
His birth occurred in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, February' 28, 1844, the
son of Reuben Paul, also born in Lehigh county, the old Keystone state, the
date of his birth being October 5, 1812. He was a son of John and Hetty
(Foust) Paul, also natives of the same place — in fact the Paul family were
residents of Pennsylvania for many generations. There Reuben Paul grew up
and was educated in the common schools, working on a farm during the
summer months. When twenty years of age he began learning the black-
smith's trade, which he followed for twenty years. On August 3, 1834, he
married Levina Haupt, a native of Allen county, Pennsylvania, the daughter
of George and Mary Haupt, who were residents of Lehigh county, White
Hall township. Reuben Paul and wife lived in that locality until 1851,
when Mr. Paul, in company with Charles Moyer, Irvin Jones and Charles
Miller, came to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, making the journey with one
team which drew an old-fashioned wagon, the trip requiring three weeks
and three days. Reuben Paul settled in section 26, Perry township, on an
eighty-acre tract, of which fifty-five acres were cleared and for which he
paid sixteen hundred and fifty dollars. He improved it and built a fine brick
house in 1859. To Reuben Paul and wife eleven children were born:
Thomas F., a carpenter and undertaker at Piermont, Indiana; Tilghman. de-
ceased; Susanna married James Peterson, of Battle Ground, Indiana; Mon-
ford, a carpenter at Pettit, this county; Alfred, of this review; Mary Ann
married James Wetzell, of Carroll county, this state; Sarah married William
Roth, of Carroll county; Rebecca is the widow of Thomas Youndt and lives
at Mulberry, Indiana; Catherine is deceased; Fremont A. is deceased. Four
of these sons were soldiers in the Union army. Thomas, Monford and
Tilghman enlisted in February, 1865, in Company B, One Hundred and
Fiftieth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry; Alfred enlisted in Novem-
ber, 1864, in Battery B, Tenth Artillery, for three years. Reuben Paul
and wife li\-ed to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. They were
members of the Lutheran church.
Alfred Paul had only a limited schooling, having to go four miles to a
school that lasted only four months during the winter. He remained at
home until after his marriage, which occurred April i, 1871, to Mary A.
Brown, a native of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Solomon
and Eliza (Wodrint) Brown, both natives of Lehigh county. In 1863 they
came to Clinton county, Indiana, and settled three miles south of Rossville.
where they got eighty acres of wild land, which he cleared and improved and
8o6 PAST AND PRESENT
on which they both died. He was a weaver by trade. In their family were
fourteen children, six of whom are now living; Susan L., at Mulberry,
Indiana; William, deceased; Amanda is also deceased; Sarah, of Slatington,
Pennsylvania; Adeline, deceased; Joseph, living on the old place in Carroll
county, Indiana; Mary A., wife of Alfred Paul of this review; Emma,
of Mulberry, Indiana; Catherine, of Carroll county; the rest of the children
died in infancy or early youth.
To Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Paul two children were born, namely: William
Eugene George, born December 24, 1871, was four years old when he died;
Alice J., wife of Leander Hedderick, a machinist and automobile dealer at
Mulberry, who patented the Elgin cream separator. He and his wife are the
parents of two children, Willie Edison, born June 11, 1898, and M. Murrel,
born February 2, 1901.
After his marriage, Alfred Paul resided at several different places until
1876, when he bought forty-one acres in Perry township, where he has since
resided. Mr. Paul has been successful and has a well-improved farm. He
has built an attractive dwelling and a good barn, has devoted his life to
farming and is fully abreast of the times.
As already indicated, Mr. Paul served as a soldier in the Civil war, hav-
ing enlisted in Company B, Tenth Artillery, on November 4, 1864, in which
he served three years. He went to Indianapolis and from there to Tennessee,
Nashville and Chattanooga on a United States gunboat, the "Stone River,"
having been assigned to duty on this boat on which he remained until the
close of the war, being discharged on July 10, 1865. He is a member of
Elliott Post, No. 160, Grand Army of the Republic, at Dayton. He is a
member of the Oxford German Reformed church, and in his political relations
votes the Republican ticket. He is one of the best known men in his com-
munity and is held in high esteem by all.
DANIEL MILLS.
From humble beginnings Daniel Mills has become the owner of a fine
farm in Perry township. Tippecanoe county, and devotes his attention to
diversified farming with the discrimination, energy and constant watch-
fulness which inevitably make for definite success and prosperity. His birth
occurred in Warren coimty, Ohio, November 27, 1835, the son of Hamilton
Mills, of the same county, who married Sarah Jones, also born in that
county, where they grew to maturity and married. Hamilton Mills learned
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 807
the blacksmith's trade, at which he worked in connection with farming. In
1828 he went to Logansport, Indiana, with his father-in-law for the pur-
pose of buying land of the Indians, but they did not succeed. He lived at
Athens, Indiana, for about a year, then went back to Ohio. In 1838 he
moved to Carroll county, Indiana, where he farmed and worked at his trade.
He died in that county, his wife dying in Delphi, Indiana. They were mem-
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Mills was a Democrat.
They were people of sterling worth, and to them ten children were born,
named as follows : Simeon, deceased ; Nancy, of Hillsboro, Ohio ; Daniel, of
this review: Eunice, Mary and Sarah, all deceased; Lizzie, of Elwood,
Indiana ; Henrietta, also of Elwood ; the two youngest children died in infancy
unnamed.
Daniel Mills had little opportunity to attend school; however, he suc-
ceeded in learning the essentials in the old log school house near his boy-
hood home. He remained on the old home place where he became inured
to the life of a husbandman until he was twenty-five years old, when he started
to work at the carpenter's trade. At Camden, Indiana, on October 7, 1865,
he was united in marriage with Caroline Robison, who was born in Perry
township, Tippecanoe county, August 26, 1843, the daughter of John and
Fannie (Dye) Robison, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the
latter of Ohio. Mr. Robison first married in his native state and had one
child to die there. John Robison was a manufacturer of woolen goods. In
early days he located in Ohio near Cincinnati, and in 1827 he came to
Tippecanoe county, Indiana, locating in Perry township, in section 27. He
built a woolen mill which was run by water power. It was a very large
mill and did an extensive business. He prospered at this and became the
owner of one thousand acres of land. He continued to operate this mill until
1868, wlien he retired. His death occurred in 1890 and that of his wife
many years before, in 1844. He married a third time, his last wife being
Barbara Whiteman, of Perry township, who died in 1879. He was a mem-
ber of the Methodist church and a Republican, but never aspired to public
office. For many years he was one of the best known men in this county.
The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. John Robinson: Pricilla,
deceased; Samuel, deceased; Henrietta; Edward; Drucilla, deceased; Caro-
line, wife of Daniel Mills, of this review ; the youngest child died in infancy
unnamed. To John Robinson and his third wife four children were born,
namely: Erastus, of Dayton, Indiana; Wallace; Bruce, deceased; Frances,
widow of \\'allace Patton, who lives in Perry township.
8o8 PAST AND PRESENT
i"o Air. and Mrs. Daniel Aiills seven children have been born, namely:
Harry, who has remained single, is farming in Peri-y township; Etiwaru, a
farmer, married Olivia Fretz, and they are the parents of three children, Ros-
coe, Harvey and Velma; John, a farmer in Perry township, is married and
has four children, Aldine, Laurine, IMaurine and Bessie; Sarah, Daniel ^Mills'
fourth child, is deceased ; Albert is smgle and is farming in Perry township ;
Samuel H., a barber in Frankfort, Indiana, married Hattie Roth ; Earl, who
married Emma Roth, is also working at the larlisr trade in Frankfurt. Indi-
ana, and they have one son, Harold James.
After his marriage, Daniel Mills and wife located at Camden, Indiana,
where Mr. Mills worked at the carpenter's trade until 1887, when he came to
Perry tuwnshi]), Tippecanoe county, and located in section 22, where they
still reside. In 1889 he built his commodious and comfortable dwelling, and
later two good barns, also many other substantial improvements which ranked
his place with the best in the township. He is the owner of one hundred and
sixty-eight acres of vahiable land which is well improved. So well did he
manage his farm, that he was enabled to retire in 1908. All during his farm-
ing career, however, he found time to continue his carpenter work, being con-
sidered an excellent workman, and many of the best houses and barns in this
part of the county are monuments to his skill as a builder. He and his good
wife are members of the church, the former of the Presbyterian and the latter
of the United Brethren. Mr. Mills is a Democrat.
Before closing this review, a tribute should be paid to the military chap-
ter in the life of this excellent citizen, for on July 25, 1862, Mr. Mills tendered
his services to his country, enlisting in Company A, Seventy-second Regiment
Indiana Volunteer Infantry, at Camden. He went to Kentucky and J\Iis-
sissippi, and was a member of the famous Army of the Cumberland, having
participated in all the battles and skirmishes of his regiment. At Huntsville,
Alabama, he was injured Ijy the falling of a horse, and was discharged, owing
to disability, on May 28, 1865. He made a very creditable record while at
the front.
WILLIAM J. FISHER.
Nothing but words of encomium can be employed in the biographical
■memoir dealing with the well-remembered gentleman whose name appears
above, a man who wp.s long one of the patriotic and public-spirited citizens of
Tippecanoe countv and who d.eserves especial credit for his work in securing
MH. AND MRS. WILLIAM J. FISHER
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. SO9
the imposing monument that marks the site uf the great battle with the In-
dians, Novcmljer 7. 1811, tor he was one of the leaders, if not the very first,
in starting the movement which resulted in the erection of the same.
William J. Fisher was born October 21, 1845, in Washington township.
He was the son of Robert and Catherine Ann (Walters) Fisher. He was
always a studious man and he received ai good education in the common
schools and the Battle Ground Collegiate Institute, where he fitted himself
for a teacher, which profession he followed four years with pronounced
success, his services ha\'ing been in great demand. In later life he ga\'e up
teaching and entered agricultural pursuits, at which he was eciually success-
ful and for many years carried on general farming in a way that stamped
him as one of the modern agriculturists of this highly favored section of
the great commonwealth of Indiana. He became the one owner of a large
and valuable farm on which he raised conaiderable fine stock, especially
thoroughbred cattle and hogs.
Mr. Fisher's happy domestic life dated from JNIay 29, 1890, when he
married Frances Stretch, of Winfield, Kansas, where the family of which she
was a member took a^ prominent part in public affairs. Her father was
Jonathan Stretch and her mother's maiden name was Delila Knight. The
father was born in Champaign county, Ohio, November 7, 181 7, and he
came with his parents to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, in 1830. He and Miss
Knight were married in 1849. Delila Knight was born December 2. 182 1,
in Butler county, Ohio, and she came to Carroll county, Indiana, in 1828.
Her father entered land one mile from the site of Delphi and lived there the
remainder of his life, having figured prominently in the history of the county.
Her half brother, Thomas Green, was prominent in political circles of Car-
roll county, of which he was the firstj sheriff. Jonathan Stretch came to
Tippecanoe county with his parents in 1830. There were five children in
the Stretch family, as follows: Flora, wife of J. M. Sibbitt, of Hoopston,
Illinois; Jessie, wife of P. E. Berry, residing in California; Ethel C, who
died in 1905; Loui died in Kansas; and Frances S., who became the wife of
the subject of this review.
No children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Fisher. On March 11, 1902,
Wfilliam J. Fisher was called to his reward, after a well-spent, active and
useful life. He is remembered as a very pronounced enemy of the liquor
business, having always taken a very determined stand against it. He was
a Republican in politics, a loyal member of the Methodist Episcopal church
and an Odd Fellow. He was a man of high ideals, and, being a cultured
man and of afifable address, he was popular with all classes.
8lO PAST AND PRESENT
Mrs. Fisher was reared in Carroll- county and early in life evinced a
deep interest in educational affairs. Mrs. Fisher attended the country
schools and later took several years' work in the State Normal School at
Terre Haute, having prepared herself for a teacher. She taught very suc-
cessfully in Carroll and Tippecanoe counties, later being called to Winfield,
Kansas, where she taught in the high school. Her services were always in
great demand, for she is not only a well-educated woman but is the possessor
of the many other natural attributes that go to make up the successful
teacher. She is still greatly interested in educational work. She is a leading
light in the Baptist church at Lafayette, and she is a member of the Rebekah
lodge, having been the first noble grand of the local order at Battle Ground.
She has attended every session of the grand lodge but one. She is very
comfortably located in her nicely furnished home at Battle Ground, enjoying
the fruits of an upright and well-spent life, being highly honored and es-
teemed by all who know her.
HENRY ARNOLD PARKER.
THE sire's advice.
While lingers yet my setting sun,
And life's last sands in silence fall,
Ere Death's rude hand the glass shall break.
And o'er its ruins spread the pall.
Deenes of earth, my children come,
A father's counsel now receive.
Whose fourscore years are almost run,
And soon this borrowed dust will leave.
Make strong the ties of kindred love,
And let not jealous hate destroy.
May each to each a blessing prove —
In doubt a quid, in grief a joy.
Parents, with care your trust discharge.
And train aright the immortal young.
And ye, their children, heed their word.
That on the earth your days may be long.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 8ll
Say naught nor do in passion's rage,
But speak becalmed and from the soul.
Swift will be the words of tattling tongue,
And every slanderous thought control.
Waste not your gains with lavish hand,
Nor merit's honest praise despise.
Yet bow not down the immortal mind
To treasures found below the skies.
Their fancied joys, though ever seen.
Sweet in the future luring on.
Yet leave their surtoys far behind.
Till to his grave unwelcome gone.
But heavenward turn the love-lit eye.
As pointing there the grateful heart,
And lead the life by God approved,
From birth till life's rays depart.
And when your course is nobly run,
And yielding from this mortal clay
The final breath of earthly air.
Breathes all, through Christ, of Death away.
October 14, 1845. — Jonas Parker.
Henry Arnold Parker was born in Lyons, Wayne county. New '^'ork,
June 22, 1833. He is one of the highly respected citizens of Dayton, Tippe-
canoe county, Indiana, where he has lived all his life excepting eight years
spent in North Dakota and sixteen years before he came here. In his daily
life among and intercourse with his fellow citizens he has exhibited those
qualities of character which go to the making of the best type of our Ameri-
can citizenship. Though not now actively engaged in any business, he has
had a hand in the development of this section of the state and has always
given his influence and support to every movement looking to the advance-
ment of the highest interests of the entire community.
Mr. Parker is descended from a line of honored ancestry, of which the
following brief genealogical record is given :
I. "Deacon" Jonas Parker, the subject's great-grandfather, was a patriot
8l2 PAST AND PRESENT
soldier in tlie war of the Revolution and was an active member of the Presby-
terian church. He married Ehzabeth and to them were born childrerb
one of whom was Jonas Parker.
II. Jonas Parker, also known as "Deacon," was born at Pepperill,
Massachusetts, July i6, 1766, and, like his father, was an active member of
the Presbyterian church. On December 18, 1788, he married Ruth Farmer,
and to them were born the following children :
(i). Hannah, born August 28, 1789, married Asa Butrick in 1808,
and their children were Hannah (August 19, 1808), Charles (June 12, 1813)
and Harriett (August 7, 1815).
(2). Jonas, father of the subject of this sketch and who was born June
30.1791-
(3). Edmund, born July 6. 1793, married Nancy Hosley in 1816. and
their children were William Appleton (November 6, 1816), William Andrew
(August 2(>, iSiS), John Edward (February 12, 1821) and Theodore
Tirezvent (January 11, 1825).
(4). John, born September 18, 1795. married ]\Iary O. Lawrence in
1822, an.d their children were Caroline W'illard (October 2, 1823), Alary
Ehzabeth (March 3, 1826), Harriett Marie (March 13, 1828), John Loring
(August 16, 1830), Louisa Frances (August 22, 1832), James Henry (De-
cember 3, 1834), Mary Elizabeth (October 21, 1837), George Odeon (Feb-
ruary g, 1840), Sophronia Lawrence (February 18, 1842), Charles Oakes
(October 18, 1844), Edward Lawrence and Frank Lewis.
(5). Rebecca, born 19, 1797, married Samuel Farrer in
1819, and their children were Edmond (September 16, 1820), William
Prescott (December 18, 1822), Charles Samuel (August 7, 1825). Mary
Bullard (November 12, 1830), John Nutting (April 24, 1839) and Martha
Ann (September 2, 1840).
(6). Amelia, born November 21, 1799, married Arnold Hutchinson
in 1819, and their children were Catherine Amelia (October 2, 1819), Wil-
liam Arnold (September 12, 1821), Jonas (September 12, 1823), Edmond
(August 7, 1825), John Irving (June 18, 1828), Nancy Elizabeth (Sep-
tember 22, 1830), Samuel Shipley (February 27, 1833), John Bullard (June
27, 1835), Henry Irving (February 8, 1838), Francis Rutheven (June 6,
1840), George Morton (July 24, 1843) 'i"d Charles Delano (October 18,
1844).
(7). Lydia, born February 5, 1802, became the wife of John Loring
in 1823. and their children were James Henry (July 10, 1824), Eliza Parker
(September 9, 1829) and Caroline Lewis (December 7, 1840).
TIPPECANOE COUNTYj IND. 813
(8). I\Iary, born February 26, 1804, married Thomas S. Stevens in
1822, and their children were jMary Jane (]\Iarch 17, 1823), Edward Spauld-
ing (February 14, 1825), Ruth Ehzabeth (August 20, 1826) and Ehzabeth
Ried (August 23, 1839).
(9). EHza Shedd, born June 16, 1806, married John Ames in 1835.
and they had the following children: George Henry (October i, 1836),
Eliza Shiply (December 30, 1838), Charles Theodore (February 22. 1841),
Frank Parker and Frank Walda.
(10). Ruth, born August 18, 1808, married William E. Shiply in
1828.
(u). Xancy P., born January 12. 181 1, became the wife of Jesse Ried
in 1832, and their children were Elizabeth Nancy (July 4, 1833), Arnold
Hutchinson (October 26, 1835'), Josephine Parker (October 6, 1837), Henry
Alonzo (November J3, 1839), Jesse Hutchinson (November 12, 1842) and
Jonas Frederic.
HI. Jonas Parker, the third of the family of the same name to be
commonly known as "Deacon," who was born June 30, 1791, married Nancy
Gatchell in 1814, and to them were born the following children : Charles
Gatchell. born September 3, 1815, died November 3, 1888: Nancy Elizabeth,
born November 29, 1816; Harrison, born February 25, 1818, died in 1836;
Jonas Farmer, born August 7, 1819, died February 9, 1909; Harriet Lewis,
born February 16, 1822. died May 9, 1896; Abagail Varnum, born June 18,
1824; Camelia Drake, born August 16, 1830, died May 5, 1894; Henrv
Arnold, born June 22, 1833, the immediate subject of this sketch.
Jonas Parker, the father of these children, was born and reared near
Boston, Massachusetts, and received what education could be obtained in the
common schools of that day. About 181 2 he started afoot on a prospecting
or land-viewing expedition and walked to \\'ayne county. New York. He
selected land 'near Lyons, and in 1814 returned to [Massachusetts and was
married, bringing his young bride at once to their new home. Here he farmed
successfully until 1849, in October of which year he embarked witli his family
by boat on the Erie canal to Buffalo, from wiiere they proceeded by lake to
Toledo, thence by canal boat to Lafayette, where they arrived on the 17th of
October. Here he bought and developed a fine farm and spent the remainder
of his days. His remains now lie buried in Spring\-ale cemetery. LTis wife
is also deceased. Jonas Parker was by trade a cooper and mason and fmuid
frequent use for his knowledge along these lines. lie was a faithful and
activ^e member of the Presbvterian church, as was also his wife.
8l4 PAST AND PRESENT
IV. Henry Arnold Parker spent his boyhood days on the parental farm-
stead, receiving a fair education in the common schools of the neighborhood.
In 1849, when sixteen years of age, he accompanied his parents on their
long water trip to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, and remained with them here
until his marriage in 1859. On the i8th of October of that year he married
Rosa Alice Lockwood, and lie went to farming on his own account, in which
he was successfully engaged until 1880, when he moved to North Dakota,
where he also followed agricultural pursuits for eight years. At the end of
that time, feeling that he was so situated as to be able to retire from active
labor, he sold out and returned to Indiana, locating at Davton, where he
erected a comfortable home and has since resided.
In 2\Iarch, 1865, Mr. Parker enlisted in Company C, Seventv-second
Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Frazer. Pie rendered
faithful service while in the field and was honorably discharged in September,
1S65, and subsequently mustered out at Indianapolis, Indiana. Because of
his military service, he now holds membership in John A. Logan Post, Grand
Army of the Republic, at Lafayette. In politics he is a Republican, and while
a resident of Shelby township served efficiently as township trustee.
To Henry and Rosa Parker were born the following child-.-en : Harry
L., born September 23, i860, met his death by drowning on September 26,
1868; Charles G., born December i, 1862, resides at Joplin, Missouri; Rose
and Jonas, twins, born January 4. 1866, both died in infancy; Rose Agnes,
born July 15, 1868, lives at Terre Haute, Indiana: James AHjert, born Feb-
ruary 12, 1873, 'i^'^s at Thorntown, Indiana; Rufus L., l)orn January 31.
1875. Mrs. Rosa Parker died, and on May 4, 1884. in North Dakota, Mr.
Parker wedded Catherine Campbell, who was born in the Dominion of Can-
ada on February 8, 1859, the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Switzer)
Campbell. Her parents were natives of Scotland and Canada respectively,
and the father is now deceased. The mother lives in Jamestown. North
Dakota. To Henry A. and Catherine Parker ha\-e l^een l)oni fnur children,
namely: Murray A., born July 2z,, 1888, of Indianapolis, Indiana; Francis
B., born December 25, 1889, also of Indianapolis: Julia L,, b; rn February
27. 1892, at home; Madeline L.. born July 2~. 1894, also at home. r\Irs,
Parker is a member of the Presbyterian church, in the activities of which she
takes a deep interest.
Mr. Parker, though advanced in years, takes a deep iiUerest in the pass-
ing events of the day and is considered one of the leading citizens of Davton,
where he is now living in comparative ease.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 815
JOHN P. GAGEN.
There is much incentive m studying the Hfe history of such a man as
John P. Gagen, who, by his own indomitahle courage and energy, finally
rose above early environments that were none too favorable, surmounting
every obstacle he encountered in his pathway until he attained a position of
eminence in the business circles of the city of Lafayette, Indiana, second to
none of his contemporaries. He belonged to that large class of industrious
Arnerican-born citizens of foreign parentage, his parents, Patrick and Mary
Gagen. having emigrated to America from Ireland, where they were born and
where their childhood was spent. They were the parents of ten children, but
the mother was called to her rest ere they grew to maturity and the father
married a second time, adding eight children to his already large family, the
combined number of children being eighteen. However, he was a hard
worker and a good manager and provided well for them, giving them com-
mon school educations and living to see them fairly well started in the battle
of life. He was a man of honorable character and inculcated in his children
those principles that make for true manhood and womanhood, the glory of
our strong American citizenship of which we are justly wont to boast.
J' hn P. Gagen was born in Sandusky. Ohio, December 13, 1848. He
received his early mental training in the common schools of his native city.
laying a good foundation for the broad knowledge he in after years acquired
by habits of observation and promiscuous reading. He started to do for
himself early in life, and soon gave evidence of a successful future, one not
only replete with success, but honor also.
Upon reaching maturity. John P. Gagen chose a life partner in the per-
son of a very amiable and worthy representative of an old and well-estab-
lished family, Adaline Greene, a native of Lafayette. Indiana, having been
born there in November, 1846. The wedding which marked the beginning
of a mutually happy domestic life was solemnized on April 18, t86q. Airs.
Gagen's father came from Ohio and her mother from W'isconsin in an earlv
day, settling in Tippecanoe county, where they established a good home amid
primitive conditions. Joshua D. Greene, the father, was by occupation a
carpenter, and his services were in great demand in his vicinity for many
years, for he was a very skilled builder. Later in life he became a grocer,
finally a general business man in Lafayette, where he met with success at
whatever he turned his attention to, becoming well-known here in his dav as
a progressive and public-spirited man of affairs, taking a prominent part
8l6 PAST AND PRESENT
in the affairs of the city in which he manifested a deep and abiding interest
for many years, and in no small measure augmented its general develop-
ment.
To John P. and Adaline Gagen eight children were born, nf whom only
two daughters are now living, namely: Emma F., who was born in Tippe-
canoe county, January 31, 1878, married Patrick Joseph Iveefe, who is en-
gaged with his father in the manufacturing business in Anderson, Indiana,
where he resides. Mr. and Mrs. Keefe have no children. Esther Gagen,
who was born February 5, 1883, married John Joseph Greenen, a resident of
Indianapolis, where Mr. Greenen is engaged in the coal, hme and cement
business. No children have been born to them. Both Mr. Greenen and Mr.
Keefe are energetic Inisiness men.
Mrs. Gagen is the only living member of her parents' family, which con-
sisted of four daughters. Fler life has been singularlv hapjiv with the ex-
ception of the irreparable loss, occasioned by the death of her lamented hus-
band, John P. Gagen, some four years ago. But he left her well provided
for, her home at No. 1123 South street, Lafayette, being one of the hand-
somest and most attractive in the city. It is modern in every respect, elegantly
furnished and tastily kept. Mrs. Gagen is also the owner of a very fine landed
estate consisting of three hundred and twenty acres near Dayton, Tippecanoe
county.
Personally Mrs. Gagen is a well-preserved woman, vivacious in manner,
affable and kind-hearted, always hospitable and she is beloved by a large circle
of friends and acquaintances. An excellent portrait adorns her cozy home —
the likeness of her well-remembered husband, than whom a more popular
and whole-souled man never lived in this city. He was a man who, while
looking to his own interests, never lost sight of his duty to his fellowmen,
and many acts of unostentatious charity were attributalile to him. .\. man of
fine natural traits, he was popular with all classes, and when his death oc-
curred the entire city and community felt a personal loss.
CHARLES A. AlcCORKLE.
In studying the interesting life histories of man\- of the better class of
men, and the ones of unquestioned merit and honor, it will be found that
they have been compelled, very largely, to map out their own career and
furnish their own motive force in scaling the heights of success, and it is
(^ 7 H liL^y-,
Yr,
■£l^
^^^^a^ik/fl ^^^.iZ^,
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 817
such a one that the biographer is pleased to write of in the following para-
graphs.
Charles A. McCorkle, prominent farmer and well-known citizen of
Jackson to>\nship, Tippecanoe county, was born in Montgomery county, In-
diana, July 2, 1865, the son of Andrew C. and Polly A. (Meharry) Mc-
Corkle, people of sterling worth and highly honored during their residence
in this locahty. The father is now a resident of Lafayette, being seventy-
two years of age, the mother of the subject having passed to her rest Aug-
ust 17, 1887. (For fuller record of this family the reader is respectfully re-
ferred to the sketch of John ^^^ McCorkle, banker at Wingate, Indiana, and
a brother of the subject, which appears on another page of this work.)
Charles A. McCorkle was educated in the public schools of Jackson
township, spending the summer months working on the home place where he
became inured to the healthful outdoor life of the farm. He was a very
studious lad, and, not being satisfied with a primary education, entered De
Pauw University at Greencastle. Indiana, and later attended Purdue Uni-
versity at Lafayette, making an excellent record in both these institutions,
becoming thus well equipped for what the poets would call the "subsequent
battle of life." When his school days were over, Air. McCorkle returned
home and resumed farming, having decided to make agriculture his life
work, and he has since devoted all his time to the same witli gratifying suc-
cess.
On October 2. 1891. Mr. ]\lcCorkle was united in marriage in Tippe-
canoe county with Frances M. Bittle, the representative of a well-known old
famil}-. Her birth occurred March 12, 1868, in Fountain county, Indiana,
she being the daughter of Silas and Fanny (Devore) Bittle, the former a
native of Putnam county and the latter of Tippecanoe countv. this state.
They were extensive farmers in this county, where the mother's death occur-
red in IQ08, having been over sixty years of age. She was buried in Wheeler
cemetery. Her husband, who is living a retired life on his fann, is seventv
years old at this writing. They were the parents of four children, three
boys and one girl, all of whom are now living, Mrs. McCorkle! being the
second in order of birth. The other children were Elmer J.. Alonzo and
Luther J.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. ^McCorkle reside on a three-hundred-and-
seventy-acre farm in Jackson township, which is one of the most valuable
farms in this favored section of the Hoosier state. It is all under a high
state of cultivation and is well impro^-ed in everv respect. Thev have a
(52)
8l8 PAST AND PRESENT
modern, well-arranged and nicely-furnished home, beautifully located, and
many substantial outbuildings adorn the place, about which an excellent
grade of livestock is to be seen, especially cattle and horses — everything that
goes to make up an attractive and pleasant country home being seen here.
General farming is carried on in a manner that stamps Mr. McCorkle as
fully abreast of the times. Besides general farming,, Mr. McCorkle feeds
large numbers of hogs, cattle and sheep for the market and he usually com-
mands the top prices for his stock, owing to their excellent quality. ]Mr.
and Mrs. McCorkle ha\-e laljinred hard for wiiat they have antl are. there-
fore, deserving of the eminent success they have achie\'ed, having started in
life under none too favorable environments, and they arc among the most
prosperous farmers in the township at present.
To Mr. and Mrs. McCorkle four children have l^een born, all living at
this writing, namely: John Russell, who is (in 1909) sixteen ye:irs old;
Charles Leland, aged fourteen ; Bernice Ann, aged twelve ; Andrew Francis,
aged nine.
Mr. McCorkle is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge, No. 306,
at Wingate, Indiana, and he takes a very active interest in the same. Al-
though he is a loyal Republican, he has never aspired to offices of trust and
emolument at the hands of his fellow voters. But he is deeply interested in
whatever tends to promote the welfare of his community in any way and
all movements looking to the upbuilding of the same find in him a ready
helper. Mr. and I\Irs. McCorkle and their children are members of the
Methodist Episcopal church, holding their membership at Shawnee Mound,
being active in all phases of church work and liberal supporters of the same.
Mr. McCorkle has for some time past been steward of the local congregation,
still discharging the duties of the same in a conscientious manner. Because
of his recognized honor, industry, friendly disposition and genuine worth,
Mr. McCorkle stands deservedly high among the people of Jackson town-
ship, where he is recognized by all classes as one of its most representative
citizens.
WILLIAM SHELT^IIRE.
The Sheltmires constitute a German family whose founders came from
the old country in the early half of the last century. Christopher Shelt-
mire was a harnessmaker, who was engaged in business at the foot of
Columbia street, Lafavette, until his death in 1861. He married I\Lary
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. S19
Berkeley, who was brought to this country from Germany when sixteen
years old, and by this union there were three children. One daughter died
in childhood. Christopher, one of the sons, is employed by the X. W. Box
Shoe Company. The mother died in igo6.
William Sheltmire, the youngest of the family, was born in Lafayette
in 1859. and consequently was still an infant when he lost his father by
death. Owing to the poverty' of his mother and the lack of any paternal
estate, he was compelled at an early age to begin making his own living.
When sixteen years old he left school to accept a position with the A. G.
Carnahan shoe factory on South Fourth street, at that time managed by
Alexander Fraser. The latter saw that he did his work well, was indus-
trious and attentive to business, and advanced him rapidly as a reward
for his good qualities. His original intention had been to work only during
vacations, but the rapid advancement caused him to stay with the shoe
factory. When the head man of the fitting department left, Mr. Shelt-
mire was given his place, and held the position until the firm retired from
business, in 1879. Mr. Sheltmire then took a position with Herman &
Shockey, manufacturers of shoes, at the corner of Second and South streets.
He was with this firm about three years, or until they retired from busi-
ness, when he went with Mr. Herman and others, who had a contract for
manufacturing shoes at the Colorado State Penitentiary at Canon City. Mr.
Sheltmire held the position of foreman in this enterprise, but only remained
in Colorado six months, after which he returned to Lafayette and accepted
employment with Box & Pross, shoe dealers. Their store was located the
second door south of Main on Third street. About two years later JNIr.,
Pross withdrew from the firm and started a store on the corner of Main,
next door to the original store, and Mr. Sheltmire was given the work
previously attended to by Mr. Pross, which consisted in buying for and
managing the store. About 1900 the business was incorporated under the
name of the N. W. Box Shoe Company, in which Mr. Sheltmire took some
stock and of which he was made secretary and treasurer. Prior to the
incorporation the Pross store moved away and the Box company located
in the corner, which it has since occupied. The location is perhaps the best
for business of the kind in Lafayette as it is convenient to all parts of
the city.
In 1896 Mr. Sheltmire married Daisy, daughter of John E. West, of
Lafayette, formerly superintendent of the Charles D. Robinson paper mill.
They have three children, Harold, Helen and Edith. Mr. Sheltmire is a
niemlier of Lafayette Lodge, No. 15, Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
820 PAST AND PRESENT
and V\'abash Encampment. He is also a member of Lodge Xo. 51, Knights
of Pythias, and he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church.
He occupies a comfortable home erected before his marriage, and one of
his main characteristics is his love of home and family. Conscientious in
business, easily approached and accommodating to all, William Sheltmire is
regarded by all who know him as a good neighbor and citizen.
SCHULTZ-BOSWELL DRUG COMPANY.
The Schultz-Boswell Drug Company is owner of one of the leading
drug stores in Lafayette, located at No. 528 Main street. The business was
originally started by Terry, Jennings & Harvey over fifty years ago, and
was at that time located on the south side of Main street with the rear
entrance on Fifth street. It was operated both as a retail and wholesale
establishment. In time, O. C. Harvey became sole owner, and in the early
eighties the wholesale department was dropped, the store being moved into
rooms on the north side of Main street. In 1888, Mr. Harvey sold out to
Longyear & Schultz, and the next year Edwin Boswell became an employe.
In 1892, Mr. Longyear sold out his interest to Mr. Schultz, who remained
sole owner until 1898, when Mr. Boswell became a partner. In 1904 the
partnership name was changed as the result of organizing a corporation to
conduct the business, with J. J. Schultz as president and Edwin Boswell
as secretary and treasurer. Though the wholesale department was aban-
doned, some lines of stock are still bought in jobber's quantities. They
carry a large stock, well assorted and of great variety. The prescription
department is so unique as to be worthy of especial remark. It is in the
front part of the store, surrounded by clear glass to keep out the dust and
prevent improper meddling, but every operation is in full view of the cus-
tomer. The noticeable feature is the extreme cleanliness that character-
izes everything connected with this work. The principal control and man-
agement are in the hands of Messrs. Schultz and Boswell. With these pre-
liminaries, a few biographical details of these popular business men will
be in order.
Anton Schultz, founder of the family in America, was a native of
Mauren. Bavaria, near Munich. In 1849 he served as a soldier in the
Bavarian army and helped to put down the insurrection in Prussia. After
coming to the United States in 1858 he married Gertrude Giess, of Strang.
in Hessen-Cassel, Germany, who emigrated aliout the same time, lioth mak
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 82 1
ing their journeys on slow-moving sailing vessels of that day. He had not
been in this country long until he had an opportunity to become a soldier
and help suppress a larger rebellion, and he was sufficient of a patriot to
enlist in a company of the One Hundred Fiftieth Indiana Regiment, to
fight for the Union during our Civil war. His son, John J. Schultz, was
born in Fountain county, Indiana, in 1862, and, after reaching suitable age,
attended the Lutheran schools for six years, during which time he studied
German and English. After completing this preliminary course he entered
the eighth grade of the public schools, attended high school a year and a
half and then laid aside his books to take his first business step. This was
as a clerk in L. R. Brown's drug store, afterwards owned by Crane Broth-
ers, and he remained with this establishment for two and a half years. He
then entered the Cincinnati College of Pharmacy, mastered the required
course, and was graduated in 1884. It was then that he returned to Lafay-
ette, and went to work in the store of which he subseciuently became prin-
cipal owner.
Mr. Schultz is a member of the Elks, the Eagles and the Democratic
party, being an active worker in the ranks of the latter. In 1902 he was
elected trustee of the water works for a three-year term and was re-elected
for a similar period. Two weeks before his first term expired, the legislature
abolished the office, thereby making his tenure more than three years shorter
than the time for which he was elected. Thereupon Mayor Dugan appointed
him a member of the board of public works, and though he offered his res-
ignation in January, 1908, the Mayor insisted on his serving until June of
that year. Mr. Schultz while in office gave to his official duties the same
conscientious attention he bestowed upon his private business and made a
record so clean that the most captious critic could find no fault.
Edwin, son of Gedrge W. and Ann E. Boswell, was born in Morrow.
Warren county, Ohio, and began earning his own way at a \'ery early period
in life. Almost continuously since his twelfth year he has been engaged in
the drug business. Beginning first in JMorrow, where he remained until
fifteen years old, he was employed for fifteen years in a drug store in Cin-
cinnati, after which he came to Lafayette and clerked for eight years for
Longyear & Schultz in the store of which he was subsequently owner, and
is now secretary and treasurer of the company which controls the business.
December 12, 1883, he married Orpha A. Ward, of Morrow, Ohio. Few men
have so long Ijeen in the drug business as Messrs. Schultz and Boswell. As
the result of years of experience, united with natural ability, they have made
a success and now own one of the most profitable and popular of Lafayette's
drug: stores.
PAST AND PRESENT
GEORGE W. BOHAN.
The life of George W. Bohan was exemplary and one that resulted in
no small amount of good to those whom it touched. He was born in Lafa>-
ette, Indiana. January 14. 1855. the son of Dennis and Elizabeth Bohan,
among the early settlers of Tippecanoe county, whose family consisted of
six children, an equal number of boys and girls. George W. Bohan spent
his youth at home and attended the local public schools. \Mien he reached
manhood he. decided to become a railroader and for many years he was a
locomotive engineer on the Lake Erie railroad, being regarded as one of the
most responsible employes of the company and he was popular with all the
train men who knew him, for he was not only a very capable engineer but
was a fine fellow personally. His death occurred in 1903.
George W. Bohan married ]\Iary Fitzpatrick, January 28, 1880. in this
city. She is the daughter of 'Sir. and Mrs. John Fitzpatrick, natives of Ire-
land. Mary was born August 15, 1857, being the youngest child in a family
of three children, and she is the only one now living. ^Ir. and }ilrs. Bohan
were the parents of eight children, as follows : Nellie M., born January 9,
1882, married Peter J. Lamb, September 12, 1906, and they have one son,
William M. Lamb, born March 30, 1907. Peter J. Lamb was born, in
Delphi, Indiana, and his parents were born in Ireland. His place of business
is at Xo. 24 Main street, Lafayette. He is a very genial and whole-hearted
gentleman and is an excellent provider for his family, to which he is very
devoted. Mary A. Bohan was born in Lafayette November 2, 1884, and
she is employed as bookkeeper for the Smith Brothers Lumber Company of
this city. Catherine was born July 19, 1887, and she is now in the employ
of one of the principal dry goods firms of this city. Sarah G., born October
II, 1886, is now forelady at the Sterling Electric Works in Lafayette. Cecelia,
born August 16, 1888, was educated in the local schools, is now in the employ
of Hon. Robert Sample. George P., born July 28, 1890, is now collector
for the Harrison Telephone Company of Lafayette. Stephen A., born July
3, 1892, is a cler!: ir, the McHarty hat store of Lafayette. Dennis H., bom
November 28, 1S94. is employed by Bohler & Beal. All these children were
educated in the St. Ann parochial school of this city under the direction of
the Rev. Fathers Roach and Byrne. They are all industrious and have good
starts on the road of life in a business way.
The Bohan home, which is a neatly kept one, is located at No. 60S
South Fourth street on the hill and is pleasantlv situated. This familv
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 823
supports the Catholic church, of which they are loyal memhers. Mrs. Boiian
was left a widow when her children were small, but she has been a good
manager and a faithful nidther and has succeeded in rearing her children in a
manner that reflects much credit uium her.
WILLIAM BEXXETT.
Among the business men of Lafayette, Indiana, who for many years
performed well their part in the business phase of the city's development
the name of William Bennett should receive prominent position. He was
torn in Warren county. Ohio, June 2. 1822. the son of Isaac and Joanna
(Cory) Bennett, both natives of Pennsylvania and descendants of distin-
guished English ancestry. Joanna Cory's lineage can be traced to the noted
Corey house on one side and to Sir Francis Drake, the famous English ad-
miral, on the other. Mr. Bennett was reared in Warren county, Ohio, where
he received his education in the primitive schools of those early times. By
dint of hard work he established a good home and made a comfortable living.
He married Anna V. Moore June 22, 1876. She was born in Lafayette.
Indiana, September 21, 1837. Her parents were Strother and Harriet A.
(Cowan) Moore, both bcrn in \^irginia, the former on December t6, t8i2.
and the latter on September 8. 1814; both were reared in the old Dominion
state, both having been born in Hampshire county. They emigrated to
Tippecanoe county, Indiana, in an early day and were here several years
before their marriage, which took place on October 11, 1836. Being pio-
neers here, they did their sh;ire in establishing the early institutions of the
communit}- where they settled. Two children were born to them. One son.
William H. j\Ioore, whose date of birth was June 15, 1840, became a well
known business man. Harriet A. Moore, mother of Mrs. "Bennett, died.
January 14, 1847, in Lafayette. ^Nlr. ]\Ioore married again, July 20. 1849.
his second wife being Mrs. Eleanor Cory, and to this union one child was
born. Winfield Scott Moore, born December 2:2. 1852. He is an architect.
living at Indianapolis; he is mirried and hns a family of two daughters and
one son. Eleanor Mcore Bennett, the <mly daughter of ^Nlr. and Mrs. Wil-
liam Bennett, was born January 2j. 1878. She was educated in the public
schools of Lafayette, passed through the high school and attended a school
of music, being a very talented musician; she also did some extra work in
Purdue University. She has taught school with much success for a period
o24 PAST AND PRESENT
of six years in this city in the various grades. In this hne of work she re-
ceived a great deal of encouragement from her mother, who is a well edu-
cated woman, having attended Mrs. McKinster's private school, a seminary at
Greencastle; she also studied art and afterwards taught the same.
William Bennett was first married to Elizabeth J. Robeson, who was born
April 19, 1822, in Warren county, Ohio, and to this union two daughters
and three sons were born, one of the sons dying in youth. Mrs. Bennett
reared Elmer Bennett, who was educated in the schools of Lafayette, and
who married Anna Snider. He is a carriage painter and lives in Terre
Haute, Indiana. William Bennett was for many years a well known nursery-
man of Lafayette, having located here in 1880. He died December 22, 1896.
William Bennett was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a
Prohibitionist. ]\Irs. Bennett is also a Methodist, but was reared in the
Presbyterian faith. Her home, at No. 635 North street, is a pleasant and
nicely kept one and a place where her many friends delight to gather, for
she is a pleasant mannered woman, an entertaining conversationalist, genial
and hospitable. Her appearance is that of a much younger woman, for
life's cares have weighed but lightly upon her.
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS NEWMAN.
The record of an honorable, upright life is always read with interest,
and it better perpetuates the name and fame of the subject than does a monu-
ment, seen by few and soon crumbling into dust beneath the relentless hand
of time. Those who have fought and suffered for the country in which
their lot is cast are especially deserving of an honored place in its annals, and
their posterity will turn with just pride to these records of the founders and
preservers of a prosperous, united nation.
Christopher Columbus Newman is a native son of the old Hoosier state,
having been born at Lafayette on April 25, 1844. His parents were John H.
and Susan (Miller) Newman. John H. Newman was born in Mecklenburg,
Prussia, and came to this country in young manho<id. He first located in
Ohio, where he was engaged in farming. He was a brewer by trade and in
about 1838 he came to Tippecanoe count)-, driving over in wagons. He set-
tled at Lafayette and engaged in the iM-ewing Imsiness in partnership with
a brother-in-law, Abraham Miller, who subsequently met death by drown-
ing in the canal. The firm name was first Newman & ]\Iiller, but on the death
/ ^. rM
^■t>^I^
^^-Jly^-^^^-cx^ ,/^2,/S^^'^-:^^t^i.^>l^^
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 825
of his partner Mr. Newman took over', his interest and the firm style be-
came the Newman Brewing Company. Mr. Newman was a successful man
in his business affairs and was widely known over a large part of the state.
He was public-spirited in his attitude towards affairs and took a large inter-
est in politics. He served several terms efficiently as a member of the Lafay-
ette city council and was offered the nomination for the mayoralty, but de-
clined. His death occurred on September i, 1888, when he was about sev-
enty-two years old. His wife Susan was a native of Pennsylvania, but caine
to Ohio in young girlhood and was reared in that state, and here married.
Their children, three boys and two girls, were all born after the parents set-
tled in Lafayette, and were as follows: Christopher C, the immediate sub-
ject of this sketch; Charles H., deceased; Carrie, who married a Mr. Ouig-
lev and is now deceased ; Laura, who died at the age of seven years ; Frank
resides in Lafayette.
Christopher C. Newman attended the public schools of Lafayette and
received a fair education. He remained at home until the dark cloud of .civil
war hovered over the national horizon, and on the call for volunteers he
promptly offered his services, enlisting for the three-months service in the
capacity of a fifer, in the playing of whiich instrument he was an expert.
At the close of his first period of enlistment he returned home, but at the
expiration of thirty days, on September 19, 1861, he again enlisted, being
assigned as a fifer to Company G, Tenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Li-
fantry. He served with this command three years and was veteranized at
Chattanooga. He was then transferred to the Fifty-eighth Lidiana Regi-
ment, called the "Pontoon Regiment." because of the fact that their duty
consisted in throwing bridges across the rivers and streams. Mr. Newman
took part in a number of the great battles of that conflict, including, among
others, those at Rich Mountain, Miller Springs, Perryville, Mission Ridge.
Chickamaug'a, Lookout Mountain, on the march with- Sherman to the sea,
and subsequently took part in the Grand Review of the victorious armies
at Washington. Mr. Newman was twice badly injured during his military
service, once during the battle of Perryville, Kentucky, and again in front of
Atlanta, being both times run over by ammunition wagons. He is still in
jTossession nf the fife and other musical instruments used by him during the
service and prized as relics of those trying days. He was discharged at Louis-
ville, Kentucky, and then returned to Lafayette. He went to work in his
father's brewery and was so employed continuously until 1S77, when he
bought a tract of fine land in section 23, Waliash township, which he moved
526 PAST AND PRESENT
onto and afterwards gave his sole attention to its cultivation. He was fairly
successful and brought his farm up to a high standard of cultivation. He
now rents the most of his land, but is still an active man for his years. He
has always been guided by a high code of ethics and has won and retains the
highest regard of all who know him. In politics he is a Republican, but not
a politician. He formerly was a member of the Grand Army of the Re-
public, but as his years advanced he found it inconvenient to attend the meet-
ings at night and withdrew his membership.
In 1866 Air. Xe\Am;;ri was married, the lady of his choice being Zerelda
Lev.is. She was born five miles er.st of Dr.yton, Indiana, on Wild Cat creek,
September 18, 1842, and is the daughter of Jonathan and Rebecca Lewis.
Her father was born in Muskingum county, Ohio. December 20, 1816, and
died December i, 1879. Her mother was born in ^Montgomery county, Ohio,
July 17, 1822, and died Xcvember 28. 1897. They were married in Tippe-
canoe county, Indiana, on December 23, 1841, and became the parents of six
children, namely: Zerelda; Louisa A., deceased; Nathan H., deceased;
Florence Grace, who married a yiv. Coffman and resides at [Montmorenci.
Indiana; Austin and George W. are deceased. \\"hen Jonathan Lewis first
came to Lafayette he engaged in the grain business, subsequently relinquish-
ing that for the livery business, being successful in both lines. During
1854-55 he served as coroner of Tippecsnre county and also served as jailer,
it being during the existence of the old log jail. In his day he was one of
the most prominent men in the county. In 1850 he started overland for
California, being ninety days on the way. He was possessed of the gold
fever and remained in the \\'e.^t three }ei.rs. He was engaged for a time
as a stage driver, but was in poor health most of the time and fimllv was
compelled to return East. On his return to Lafayette he again took up the
livery business and during the war he was extensively engaged in I)uying
horses for the government. He was a Democrat and took an active pirt in
matters politicnl, being considered a shrev.-d and successful politician.
To Mr. and Mrs. Newman have been born four children, as follows :
Susan, born July 6, 1867, died at the age of fourteen months; George L.,
born February 26, 1869, died January 30, 1909; Alice, born Januarv 30,
1873, married, January 22, 1891, H. C. Myers, who is at present trustee of
\\'abash township, and they had two children. Grace L. flyers, born Alay
29, 1892. and John Leonard, bom September 17. 1893, and died on Novem-
ber 4, 1809; WiUiam. born Septcmb.er 25. 1870, died at the age ( f two
years.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 827
GEORGE DAXIEL PARKS.
New England has fnrnislied many men of prominence and worth to the
West, notabl}- among those who have chosen Indiana as their place of resi-
dence being George D. Parks, of Lafayette. A lawyer by profession and
since 1902 county attorne}-, he has matle his presence felt in the legal circles
of his adopted city and, as a public-spirited citizen, interested in whatever
tends to promote the material progress of the community and the social and
mora! advancement of his fellow men; his intfuence has been strong- and
salutary and his example worthy of imitation.
The family which Mr. Parks has the honor to represent is a very old
one and for nearly one hundred and forty years has figured in the history
of a certain locality in Xew England, where the subject's ancestors settled
rn their removal from ^Manchester, England, to Massachusetts in 1774.
The place referred to \\-as at the head of Swan island, in the Ivennebec
river, in what was then Massachusetts, but now the state of 'Maine, being the
point where the British force, under the traitor Arnold, stopped on its pass-
age to Quebec during the war of the Revolution. Since first coming to this
country, in the year indicated above, the Parks family have been identified
with that locality, five generations of them having been born in Richmond,
opposite Swan island, and figured prominently in its history.
The first of the name to seek a home in the new world appears to have
been John Parks, the subject's great-grandfather, who established the aljove
mentioned settlement and took a leading part in the affairs of the same.
Among his descendants were a number of strong, courageous men, who from
time to time became identified with the development and growth of Sagada-
hoc county, Maine, rose to positions of honor and trust in that jurisdiction
and ever since the colonial period the name has been closely interwoven with
the material improvements of th.e country and its rise and progress along-
other lines, including public life, social and mnral advancements and edu-
cational developments.
George W. Parks, the father of the suliject, was born in the town of
Richmond, Sagadahoc county, as was also the mother, who before her luar-
riage bore the maiden name of Jane Raudlette, neither of whom ever left the
state of Maine. Their son, George D. Parks, of this review, is a native
of the county of Sagadahoc and dates his birth from th.e 29th day of Sep-
tember. 1 8^6, having first seen the light of day in Richmond, where he also
spent his early life and received his preliminary education. Later he took
828 PAST AND PRESENT
a course of civil enginering in the University of Maine, where he was grad-
uated in 1876, after which he devoted several years to his profession, finally
discontinuing it to fit himself for a more agreeable calling. While engaged
in civil engineering, he became imbued with a strong desire to make the
practice of law his life work and to this end he bent all of his energies, taking
up the study of the profession under competent instructors and availing him-
self of every opportunity to facilitate his progress during the period of
preparation.
Mr. Parks was admitted to the bar of the supreme court of Maine in
the latter part of 1879 and on January ist of the following year opened an
cfiice in Brunswick, that state, where he practiced, with gratifying success,
ten years, when, on account of health of the family, he removed to Alabama.
He removed to Lafayette, Indiana, in the year 1893, and since locating in
his present field of practice he has devoted himself very closely to his pro-
fession, taking the office formerly occupied by Chase & Chase, which he his
since retained, and in due time building up a large and lucrative business and
forging to the front among the leading members of the local bar. In 1902
he was appointed county attorney, a position he has held, by successive reap-
pointments, to the present time, his long continuance in the ofiice affording
ample evidence of his ability to fill it, also of his faithfulness to the interests
of the public.
In ix)int of scholarship and a critical knowledge of the law, ^Ir. Parks
ranks among the oldest of his contemporaries of the Tippecanoe c unty bar.
and his professional career, therefore, has been above reproach and in every
respect honorable. He is recognized as a safe counsellor, judicious practi-
tioner and his ability to cope with the strongest of his professional brethren
in the field long noted for its high order of legal talent bears evidence of the
close and careful consideration he gives to any matter entrusted to him and
the ample preparations he makes to meet his adversaries in the trial of
causes. His practice, already large, is steadily growing in volume and im-
portance and he now commands an extensive clientele, not altogether in his
own county, as is indicated by his frequent calls to other courts.
On June 8. 1881, Mr. Parks was united in marriage with Anna S.
White, of Bowdoinham, Maine, a lineal descendant of Peregrine White,
who came to America in the "Mayflower" and bore a conspicuous part in
the affairs of the first English colony on the Western continent. Two sons
have resulted from the union, both born in Brunswick, Maine: Roscoe W.,
whose birth occurred May 25, 1882, was graduated in chemistry from Pur-
due University with the class of 1902 and for some time past has held the
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 829
responsible position of chemical engineer of the Cawley-Clarke Company, of
Newark, New Jersey; ]\Iorris R.. born December 20, 1885, was graduated in
general science from Purdue University in 1907 and is also an alumnus of
the Indiana Law School, Indianapolis, where lie finished his course and
received his degree of Bachelor of Laws in the year 1909, and is practicing
in Lafayette as partner of his father under the firm name of Parks & Parks.
Mr. Parks and his entire family are members of the First Baptist church of
Lafayette, he being one of the trustees. Fraternally, he belongs to the Inde=-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, having passed all the chairs in the subordinate
lodge, besides being honored from time to time with important official posi-
tions in the encampment and canton of Patriarchs Militant. In his political
affiliations he is a Republican.
JOHN BALSER.
It is safe to say that no class of citizens have done more for the develop-
ment of Lafayette and Tippecanoe county than the Germans, and of this
element none is more deserving of special mention than John Balser, who
was born in Germany but spent his active life in America, where he pros-
pered by reason of his industry and fidelity to duty to himself, his family and
his adopted country. After a very active and useful life, he was gathered
to his fathers in the "great beyond" in 1894, leaving a goodly amount of
property to his faithful wife and dutiful children. He was an engineer of
no ordinary ability, and, having taken an interest in local political and public
afifairs, was called upon to serve the city of Lafayette as street commissioner,
city and county commissioner, having very ably filled these positions of
public trust for many years, and when he passed away his many friends and
acquaintances realized that a very active business man and useful citizen had
gone from their midst. He became the owner of eighty acres of land in
Tippecanoe county which he farmed for some time in connection with his
other numerous duties ; this very valuable piece of land the family still owns.
John Balser married Barbara Staufifenberg May 19, 1861. She is the
daughter of John and Elizabeth Staufifenberg, natives of Germany who came
to America March 16, i860, and settled in Lafayette, Indiana. They were
the parents of six children, five girls and one boy: two daughters and the
son are now living. To John Balser and wife six children were born, as
follows: Henry, deceased; Catherine is a dressmaker in Lafayette, who at
this writing is making a tour of Europe; Elizabeth is deceased; .\nton began
830 PAST AXD PRESENT
when fourteen years of age to clo for liimself and lias been away from home
for several years; Ann K. is a graduate of the Lafayette high school of the
class of 1890, and since 1898 she has held the trusted position of forelady in
Peirce's wholesale grocery firm, being a very competent and thorough busi-
ness woman; she also has charge of the Balser home and sees that her good
mother is properly cared for, — indeed, all the children take a delight in min-
istering to her every want, which is evidence of the wholesome home atmos-
phere in which they were reared. Louis Balser is the youngest child. All
the children have remained single and all four live with their mother at
their pleasant and neat home. No. 822 North Fifth street, where Mrs. Balser
has resided for the past forty-four years. She is well preserved for a woman
of her years and is held in high esteem by her neighbors and friends, — in fact,
this excellent family holds high rank among the representative citizens of
Lafavette.
REV. CONRAD HASSEL.
Tlie life of the Rev. Conrad Hassel, pastor of the Salem Reformed
church in Lafayette, is one that the biographer would hold up to the young
men whose futures are yet to be determined, as a model, which should serve
in piloting them through many precarious places, for his is a self-sacrific-
ing, unostentatious and honorable life, lived largely for others, thus emu-
lating the lowly Nazarene.
The Reverend Hassel was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, two-
miles southeast of the city of Sharon, January 26, 1863, the son of George
and Elizabeth (Dresch) Hassel. The Hassel family were natives of the
Rhine country, Bavaria. George Hassel emigrated from Germany to Amer-
ica when he was eighteen years old, locating at Sharon, Pennsylvania. The
Dresch family were from the same country, and they also came to Sharon,
Pennsylvania, where the parents of the subject were married in i860. The
father was a hard working man who made his daily bread in whatever honest
way that presented itself. In 1868 he moved to Ohio, locating two miles
southwest of Sharon, Trumbull county, on a small farm, and it was here
that Conrad was reared, assisting with the work on the home place and at-
tending the district schools. Being ambitious, he attended the night schools
in order to learn German. He was also taught by his father and became
proficient in the German language. He was a regular attendant at the serv-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 83 1
ices of the St. I'aul Reformed church and was a teacher in the Sunday
school. When twelve years uf age he united with tlie church. In his Sunday
school work he used the Bihle onh-, for he had no other literature at that
time, and in this way acquired a great deal' of Bible knowledge even in his
early youth. Conrad was the second child in order of birth in his father's
familv. His parents have both long since gone to their eternal reward, being
remembered by all who knew them as honest and highly respected citizens.
Conrad Hassel completed his theological course at the Heidelberg Uni-
versity at Tififin, Ohio, and was ordained in 1899. While a student at Cleve-
land, Ohio, in the year 1887, he won a gold medal for the best
German scholarship in the college. Aside from the influence of an excellent
Christian home, the subject was influenced in a large measure during his
attendance of the Sunday schools of his community, by a ]\Ir. Patterson, a
Scotch Presbyterian, who would relate impressi\'ely the story of the Cruci-
fixion and others of like interest on such occasions. During his school days
at Tiffin, Ohio, Reverend Hassel supplied the pulpit at Ashland, and also
a small country church near Gallon, Ohio. After he was ordained he con-
tinued to serve these churches about one year, then accepted a call from the
First Reformed church at Gallon, where he preached in two languages, Ger-
man and English. This church was very largely attended and Rev. Hassel
continued to serve it for a period of twelve years. During these twelve
years three hundred and seventy-two persons were baptized, two hundred
and nineteen funerals conducted, three hundred and fifty members received
into the chmxh, leaN'ing on the rolls at the close of his pastorate six hundred
and twenty-live. He was very successful in the work at this place and
became well known throughout Crawford county. He was the organizer
and president of the Crawford County Historical Society and he made a close
study of the early history of the county, especially that dealing with the
Wyandotte Indians. He was interested in Colonel Crawford and in the his-
torical affairs of Crawford county, Ohio. The Colonel was born in A^irginia,
in 1732. He built a cabin in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, which stood until
1896 when it was torn down and a number of gavels made from it. Reverend
Hassel has one of them. H. P. Snider, a great-grandson of Colonel Craw-
ford, was editor of the Connellsville Coii-ricr at that time. He it was who
had the logs of the old cabin sawed up and made into gavels, in memorv of
his ancestor. Colonel Crawford. .The Colonel was captured in the campaign
of 1732 and burned at the stake, after a battle with Butler's Rangers and
the Indians near Upper Sandusky, Ohio. The retreating armv later fought
a battle at Olentang}' near Gallon, Ohio, a monument being erected on this
832 PAST AND PRESENT
battlefield in September, 1896. Reverend Hassel had charge of the unveiling
ceremonies and delivered the principal address upon that occasion.
Rev. Conrad Hassel came to Lafayette, Indiana, February i, 1903. The
church of which he has been pastor since that time has, at this writing, in 1909.
over four hundred members and is in a flourishing condition. Of this con-
gregation the Men's Society is an important feature, it consisting of eighty
members. Reverend Hassel has also done much good work in the Ladies'
Aid Society and the Christian Endeavor. He is the superintendent of the
Sunday school. The subject is a well known lecturer. Among the subjects
upon w'hich he lectures are such as "Abraham Lincoln," "Patrick Henry."
"Crawford's Campaign,'" "Rise and Fall of the Rebellion," and "Our Ameri-
can Soldiery." He is president of the Western beard of home missions of
the Reformed church in the L'nited States. He is also a member of the
board of foreign missions, the headquarters of which are at Philadelphia. He
is an honorary member of the Grand Army of the Republic, having been re-
ceived at the Indiana St?.te Soldiers' Home by Jasper Packard Post, No. 589,
and on the date of his admission was presented with a handsome badge in
design the same as the regular Grand Army badge, and inscribed as follows :
"For Distinguished Service this Badge was Presented to Rev. Conrad Hassel
upon his Election to Honorary Membership in this Post, May 23. 1909."
The domestic life of Re\'erend Hassel beg'an when he was united in the
bonds of matrimony with Lydia Forwick, a nati\-e of Wisconsin, hut who
was living in Ohio at the time of her marriage. She is a daughter of Rev.
F. Forwick, now deceased, but who at that time (August 26. 1889) was
preaching at Vermilion, Ohio, and who for many years was stationed at
Cleveland, Ohio, where he enjoyed a very successful pastorate. To Reverend
and ]\Irs. Hassel six children have been born, namely : Frieda, Alma, Otto,
Irene, Carl and Ira, all still members of the home circle.
Reverend Hassel often speaks at lodges, soldiers' ami public gatherings.
He is not only popular with his congregation but is held in high esteem by
the people of Lafayette and Tippecanoe county, irrespective of religious creed.
JEREMIAH EDWARDS.
As the honored president of the Farmers and Merchants' Bank of Ot-
terbein, and one of the representati\-e citizens of Tippecanoe county, with
which he has long been identified in \-arious ways, it is incumbent that specific
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. '833
mention be made of Mr. Edwards in a work of this nature, not alone by
reason of the prominent position which he holds, but also with a view to
the incentive which the record of his honorable and useful career may afford
to those wh(-> in time may come to peruse these pages.
Jeremiah Edwards was born in the beautiful little city of Delaware,
Delaware county, Ohio, on August 22. 1833. The subject's father w-as a
native of the state of New York and his mother was born in Wales. The
father died when the boy \\-as but a baby and he has always borne his
mother's name, Edwards. The mother is hving- at Morocco, Indiana, at the
remarkable age of ninety-seven years. The subject secured his first school-
ing at Rensselaer. Ohio, and after coming to Tippecanoe county he attended
four terms of subscription school, the sessions being held in the old-fashioned
log buildings which in those days prevailed. This, with one term in a school
at Montmorenci, comprised the sum total of his school training. However,
Mr. Edwards has been a close reader of the best literature and a keen ob-
server of men and events, and today few men are better informed on matters
in general than is he. Mr. Edwards was about fourteen years old when he
came to Tippecanoe county, and at the age of fourteen years he located in
Shelby township, where he has remained practically ever since, being now
the second oldest resident of the township. In that early day the country was
wild and covered with the primeval forests with the exception of an oc-
casional clearing and a few strips of prairie land. \\"ild animals were numer-
ous and wild game was a prominent feature on the pioneer bill of fare. Mr.
Edwards was employed at day work until he was twenty-eight years old.
He had been economical and had managed to save his wages so that some
cime prior to this he had bought a small tract of land and had erected a
house thereon. He now entered eighty acres of land in Jasper county, but
soon sold it and bought land in section 27, Shelby township. He has added
to his landed possessions from time to time and is now the owner of two
hundred and sixty acres of land, comprising several splendid pieces of land
lying in sections 1 1 ar.d ly, being considered one nf the well-to-do and solid
men of the community. He has been practical and progressive in his methods
and has done as much, if not more, than any other one man to ad\'ance the
general interests of the township. He has carried on general farming opera-
tions and the general condition of his property reflects credit on the owner.
He has a splendid and comfortable home, while the barns and other out-
buildings are up-to-date and commodious.
In iqo3 Mr. Edwards took a leading part in the organization nf the
Farmers and Alerchants' Bank of Otterbein, which is a state bank, owned by
(53)
834 PAST AND PRESENT
a stock company, and capitalized at thirty thousand dollars. Mr. Edwards,
who owns the largest block of stock, is president of the bank and gives it
much of his attention, its marked success being due largely to his efforts and
influence. The bank building, a neat and commodious two-story edifice, is
owned by the institution.
On November 20, i860, when atout twenty-eight years old, Mr. Edwards
was wedded to Barbara E. Shambrough, the daughter of Jacob and Sarah
Shambrough. She was born in the township in which she now resides in
1840, and is descended from Pennsylvania stock, her parents having come
to Indiana from that state, being among the earliest settlers in Tippecanoe
county. To Mr. and Mrs. Edwards have been born three children, namely :
Annis J. is married and lives in \\'isconsin : Elbert H., of Otterbein, mar-
ried Margaret Parker and tliey have four children ; Ross \\\ is engaged in
the sheep business in Montana. Despite his seventy-six years, Mr. Edwards
is active and energetic and takes a keen and healthy interest in the current
events of the daj-. He still gives a portion of his time to the farm, on which
he frequently does a regular day's work. Altogether, he is a man whom to
know is to h'ke, and he justly merits representation in a work of this char-
acter.
WILLIAM H. ^lOORE.
Among the business men of honorable repute who in years gone by
contributed their just share to the work of developing the city of Lafayette.
Lidiana. from an insignificant country hamlet to a bustling mart of wide in-
fluence, ^^"illiam H. Moore is deserving of much credit. His worthy life
companion who, with her children, was left to enjoy the comfortable compe-
tence which he accumulated by years of patient toil and endeavor, reside in a
neat and attractive home at Xo. 713 North street. Lafayette, being highly
esteemed in that neighborhood.
Mrs. Sarah A. (Miller) Moore was l^orn in Darke county, Ohio, near
Greenville. October 12, 1837. the daughter of Abraham C. and Elizabeth
(Elston) ^Miller. Abraham C. Miller, who was born in the state of Penn-
sylvania, was a typical pioneer, rugged, adventurous, but loyal to duty and
honest and it was to such men as he that the present solid prosperity of the
great middle West was made a possibility. His faithful life companion was
born in Ohio. They were the parents of five children, all now deceased except
Sarah .\., who received what education she could in the primitive log schoiil
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 835
houses of the early days, and when she reached womanhood married WilHam
H. Moore, April 28, 1869, the wedding occurring in Lafayette, Indiana. To
this union tliree children were born, one son and two daughters. They are
named as follows: Edith, bom June 15, 1870, died in infancy; Wilbur C.
born August 28, 1871, has remained single and is living in Lafayette, having
been educated in the city schools, receiving a good education, after which
he devoted himself to the study of electricity and has become an expert in
this line, at present conducting a well equipped and carefully managed shop
on Fifth street; Leota Grace Moore was born May 12. 1874, and died in the
sixteenth year of her age. She was a bright girl and popular with a large
circle of young friends.
]\lrs. Moore was reared a Presbyterian and the strict discipline received
in her girlhood, when the principles of this sound old-time doctrine were
inculcated in her by her parents, has had a great mitigating effect on her
after life, rendering it pure and wholesome ; however, she is not at this writ-
ing identified with the Presbyterian congregation. Mrs. I\Ioore is neat and
tidy about her home, modest, pleasant and agreeable, kind and thoughtful
rather than over-talkative, her disposition being of the kind that wins and
holds friends.
Christian Miller, a brother of Mrs. Moore, was among the patriotic sons
who responded to President Lincoln's first call for volunteers at the outbreak
of the Civil war in 1861. He was instrumental in raising Company A, which
became a part of the Tenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was
elected captain of the snnie. While leading a charge at the battle of Rich
Mountain, Virginia, he was shot down and for several months was in a
serious condition at Beverley, Virginia. He was finally able to return home,
where he recovered his health to some extent, although he died from the
effects of his wounds several vears afterward.
JAMES P. COMBS.
James P. Combs, who is well remembered among the railroad fraternity
as a \-ery capable and genial engineer, which line of work he followed for
many years and then passed on to the "great beyond" that awaits us all. was
born in Kentucky October 11, 1826, and came to Jacksonville, Illinois, when
a boy and was educated in that city. On reaching maturity he decided to
become an engineer, which line of work he took up and successfully followed.
836 PAST AND PRESENT
He ran as an engineer along the Illinois river, with headquarters at Naples,
at an early day. When the Civil war began he showed his patriotism by
joining the Union forces as a private in the Tenth Indiana Battery. He
was in the hospital and on a gimboat most of the time he was in the service.
He received an honorable discharge and drew a pension of twelve dollars
per month.
Mr. Combs chose as a life partner on September 15, 1850, Sarah P.
Green, their wedding occurring at Winchester, Scott county, Illinois, six-
teen miles west of Jacksonville. Sarah P. Green was born in the last named
city on March 2t,, 1833, the daughter of Jonas Green, who was born in
Pennsylvania on August 10, 1806, and his death occurred February 18, 1900,
having reached the remarkable age of ninety-four years. By trade he was
a blacksmith and cooper, working at these in the city of Lafayette. He
married Mahala Crawley, who was born in Kentucky in 1813, their wedding
occurring April 17, 1827. in Jacksonville, Illinois. She, too, reached a good
old age, passing to her rest on March 24, 1896. Their family consisted of
four daughters and three sons. Two of the girls are now living. ^Irs. Sarah
P. Combs and Mrs. S. J. Bentley, of Seattle, \\'ashington.
To ]Mr. and ]\Irs. James P. Combs the following children were bom :
Nettie, whose birth occurred August 14, 1852, married Charles Opp, lives
at Otterbein, and is the mother of two children, both married ; Mr. Opp is a
farmer. James Combs, a farmer, was born November 11, 1854, married
Sarah Smith, and they are the parents of seven children. Edwin Combs,
born May 9, 1857, died in infancy. Fanny D. Combs, born November 13,
1858, married Will McCombs, of Lafayette, and died November 10, 1896,
in Kansas City, Missouri. William C. Combs was born August 3, 1861, and
died when twenty-three years old. Thomas G. Combs was born January 6.
1864, lives in Otterbein, Indiana, and married Lizzie Hallahue. who has
borne him four children. He is a mechanic, farmer and well driller. ]\Iinnie
M. Combs was born Mav 10. 1866, married William ^IcCombs at Wichita,
Kansas. He is a verv prosperous man, being overseer of the Dole Packing
Company's plant.
Mrs. Sarah P. Combs was reared a IMethodist. but she is now a member
of the Christian church, and is also a member of the Union \^eteran League,
being very acti^■e i" its work, also that oi the church. She is known for her
charitable deeds, being a true "mother in Israel" in time of sickness or dis-
tress in anv wav among her neighbors. She is a well-preserved woman for
one of her advanced years, having a merry laugh that bespeaks healthfulness
of soul as well as bodv and it is indeed good to be in her presence, for she
TIPPECANOE COUNTYj IND. 837
makes everyone feel better and happier. She has a good memory and is in
full possession of all her faculties and it is a rare treat to visit her nicely-kept,
cozy and hospitable home at No. 823 Cincinnati street, where her many
friends always find the latchstriiig hanging on the outside.
JACOB I^IAY.
Among the large class of foreign-born citizens who have come to our
shores and lia\-e done so much for the development of all sections of the
United States, none seem to have done more or made better citizens than
the Germans. A representative of this class was Jacob May, who enjoyed
distinctive prestige among the enterprising business men of Lafayette and
Tippecanoe county, having fought his way onward and upward in the face
of obstacles until he earned the right to be called one of the progressive
men in industrial circles, winning a position among the earnest men whose
depth of character and strict adherence to principle excited the admiration
of his contemporaries.
Jacob May was born in Schiefferstadt, Bavaria, January i8, 1836, the
son of Jacob and Susanna (Dennhart) May. The former was a prom-
inent farmer and also owned a brewery, being a man who prospered by
reason of his inherent business ability, which seems to have been transmitted
to succeeding generations, for he was a man who believed in the old adage,
"if a thing is worth doing it is worth doing well." Judging from the
eminent success the members of this family now living in Lafayette have
achieved, one would say that they, too, are advocates of such principles.
Jacob May, of this review, received his educational training in the Father-
land, working in his father's brewery in the meantime. As was the custom
in his country, when he reached manhood he entered the army and served
for a period of six years. Upon leaving the same he returned home and
worked for his father until 1865, in October of which year he set sail for
America, where he believed greater opportunities existed for him. Unlike
many of his countrymen, he did not tarry in the East, but came direct to
Lafayette, Indiana, reaching this city on October 12, 1865. His former
experience in tlie brewery business caused him to seek employment in the
local brewery, which he found, working here as a foreman for a period of.
two years. In 1868 he and John Kuntz formed a partnership and conducted
a brickyard for about two years, when ^Ir. ]\Iay purchased the interest of
838 PAST AND PRESENT
Kuntz and continued the same alone in a successful manner. He also con-
ducted a yard at Sheldon for three years, but this not proving so successful
was closed — in fact it became necessary to discontinue both yards during
the panic of the early seventies, owing to the stringency of the money
market. Air. Alay then worked for others for several years, and in 1882 he
resumed work in his brickyard in Lafayette. In those days the work was
all done by hand and numerous employes gathered about Mr. ]\Iay's yards.
He continued to operate the local yard until 1901, when he took in four of
his sons as partners, Fred, John, Michael and Jacob. In 1904 they purchased
the extensive tile factory of ]\I. C. Aleigs, located at ""Three-mile Switch,"
near Lafayette, on the Big Four and Lake Erie railroads. Four kilns are
operated here and about twenty thousand dollars' worth of tile is manu-
factured here each year, their trade being now very extensive ar.d the repu-
tation of the firm second to none in the Hoosier state, the patronage of the
same constantly growing, owing to the high-grade material turned out here
and the honest methods employed in conducting the business, resulting in
securing the confidence of every customer.
The domestic life of Jacob May dates from January 13, 1867. when
he formed a matrimonial alliance with Susanna Dennhardt, a native of his
own town, Schiefferstadt, Germany. She was the daughter of A'alentine
and Magdalena Dennhardt and came to the United States in October. 1866.
She was always known as a woman of pleasing personality, kind and gen-
erous, and her death, which occurred February i, 1908, was deeply lamented
by her many warm friends in Lafayette. Preceding this sad event she had
been in declining health for three years, but with Christian fortitude she
bore her lot patiently, never complaining. She was followed to the grave
by her husband August 30, 1909.
To Mr. and Mrs. Jacob May eleven children were born, and all the
members of this large family gave early evidence of the wholesome home
training which they received. They are Joseph, who died at the age of ten
years and two months ; Fred married Julia Kramer, of Lafayette, and they
are the parents of two children, Paul Jacob and Herbert Michael Fred-
erick; John married Mary Mulherin, of Lafayette, and four children were
born to them, three of whom are living, John Jacob, Anna Mary and (Zelia
Alice; Gertrude, the second child born to Mr. and Mrs. John May. died in
infancy ; the third son, Michael G., has remained unmarried ; Susanna P.
married John E. Brown and lives at Raub, Benton county, this state; they
live on a farm and are the parents of four children. John Frederick. Jacob
Charles, George Balthaser and Margaret Gertrude. Jacob and Alary Ce( il
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. ' 839
live at borne, the latter being tbe bousekeeper; Joseph C. L. is unmarried
and lives at home, assisting in the factory; Charles J. is a stationary engi-
neer living at home; George V. is living at home and works on the farm;
Louis R. is bookkeeper at the Thieme & Wagner Brewery.
Tbe ]\[ay family owns a very valuable and highly productive farm of
two hundred and sixty-six acres near their factory, and they operate the
same in a manner that insures a large annual income. No better land is
to be found in this favored section of the state. Besides this, their resi-
dence at the south end of Fourth street, Lafayette, is a substantial, com-
modious and elegantly furnished one, where good cheer and generosity is
always found. The members of this family are all hard-working, public-
spirited and honest in all their transactions with their fellowmen. They
are all members of the St. Boniface Catholic church, and all the boys be-
long to the Catholic Order of Foresters; Fred and Michael also belong to
the Knights of Columbus. Fred is a member of the Knights of St. Paul.
Louis R. is recording secretary of the Foresters. John and his family re-
side at the factory at "Three-mile Switch." Fred is assuming, the principal
leadership in the conduct of the large business aiTairs of the family since
the death of his father. No happier or mutually helpful family could be
found than the Mays, and none stand higher in the estimation of their
neighbors and acquaintances in Tippecanoe county.
DANIEL HAWK.
One by one the gallant soldiers who sacrificed so much for posterity
in the greatest of polemic struggles, when this country was well-nigh rent
asunder during the sixties, have succumbed to the only foe they could not
meet, until only a small remnant of the original great host remains. Among
those who have wrapped their winding-sheet about them and are now sleep-
ing the sleep that no reveille shall wake is Daniel Hawk, long a well-known
and highly respected citizen of Tippecanoe county. He was a native of
Ohio, having been born in Butler county, October 24, 1833, the son of
George and Peggy (Dix) Hawk, the former a native of Pennsylvania and
the latter of Ohio. George Hawk died when his son Daniel was only nine
years old, consequently the latter was bound out. But, being misused by
his people, he ran away and went to Dayton, Ohio, where he learned the
stonecutter's trade. He finally came to Lafayette, Indiana, -where he spent
his subsequent life, dying April 30, 1906.
840 PAST AND PRESENT
Daniel Hawk was first married to Mary A. Rodifer, of Lafayette. On
Junt 15, 1836, she first saw the fight of day, and her life closed in 1869.
They became the parents of two children, Thomas and John D. Hawk. Dan-
iel's second marriage was to Phoebe C. Lindsay, on December 21, 1870, by
which nnion three children were born, namely : Georgia, born December
13, 1871, died May 23, 1872; Nora, born April 2, 1873, died July 30, 1874;
Jessie, born January 13, 1875, married William Lentz, a hardware merchant
in Rossville, Indiana, and they are the parents of two children. Mrs.
Phoebe C. Hawk died July 6, 1884. Daniel Hawk's third marriage was
solemnized with Alma E. (Mead) Moore, who was born October 12, 1846,
the wedding occurring on March 5, 1885, at Paxton, Illinois. Mrs. Hawk
is a native of Knox county, Ohio, and the daughter of Spelman and ]Mary
J. (Mitchell) I\Iead, natives of Ohio, where they lived on a farm. By ]\Ir.
Hawk's third marriage two children were born, namely : Lucy Belle Hawk,
born April 27, 1888, was educated in the Lafayette schools, graduating from
the high school in 1906, and is now in her fourth year in Purdue University,
where she made a splendid record in the science department. She is a very
bright and affable young lady and is preparing for a career as teacher.
Freddie Daniel Hawk was born April 5, 1891, and died January 16, 1894.
Daniel Hawk enlisted in Company E, Tenth Regiment Indiana Vol-
unteer Infantry, in 1861, as a private, but was promoted to sergeant and to
the signal corps. He was in the service over three years, receiving an hon-
orable discharge in April, 1865, having made an excellent soldier. He drew
a pension of twenty-four dollars per month, and his widow now draws
twelve dollars per month. Mrs. Hawk has a neat and comfortable home at
No. 817 North Fifth street, Lafayette, which she owns and which she takes
a delight in, and where her many warm friends are often entertained. She
is regarded as an excellent neighbor and a genuinely good woman.
MOSES F. WILSON.
Although nearly eighty years have dawned and died since Moses F.
Wilson first saw the light of day, he is yet a man of vigor and in possession
of all his faculties, possessing a wonderful memory, and those who delight
to hear interesting; tales of the pioneer days would enjoy listening to his
interesting and instructive conversation, for he has seen the development of
this part of the Hoosier state from primitive conditions to its present day
m^
F. WILSON
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 84I
opulency — in fact, he has been conspicuous in the progress of the same from
his boyhood days. His birth occurred near Jimtown, Marion county, In-
diana, September 28, 1830. Near Ehndale he attended the old-time sub-
scription schools under the tutorship of his father, who divided his time be-
tween farming and teaching school in the country districts, the latter having
carried Moses F. to school on his back, the lad having started to school when
so small that he found it too difficult to walk to and fro. When sixteen
years of age, Moses F. worked for a neighbor on a farm evenings, mornings
and on Saturdays in order to defray expenses of board and tuition while he
attended school. He became so proficient in arithmetic that he "st;dled" his
father and other teachers in that branch of learning.
Moses F. Wilson is the son of James and Claricy ( Fountain ) Wilson,
the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of the state of New York.
They came to Indiana in their youth and were married in Marion county in
1829. This country was a wilderness when they arrived here, but they set
to work with a will after their marriage and soon had a comfortable home,
although they began life tin poor circumstances. James Wilson became sub-
ject to the ague, which was so prevalent in those days, which made it neces-
sary for his young wife to cut the first trees used in the erection of their
first cabin home. They remained in Marion county several years, moving
later to Montgomery county, but finally moved to Tippecanoe county, where
they resided on a farm until their deaths, having become fairly well situated
in life by reason of good management and hard work. The death of Mrs.
Wilson occurred in November, 1865, her husband having survived twenty
years, joining her in eternal sleep in 1885, and, side by side, they rest in
Sugar Grove cemetery, Jackson township. They were the parents of four
children, all boys, Moses F. being the oldest in order of birth, his brothers
being Thomas and William, both deceased, and Stephen L., who resides in
New Richmond, Montgomery county. Prior to his marriage with Claricy
Fountain, James Wilson had married a woman who bore him three children,
namely: Joseph, David and Mary, all now deceased.
Moses F. Wilson remained on the farm with his parents until his mar-
riage in Tippecanoe county, March 30, 1856, to Sarah Matheny, who lived
only a year after her wedding, dying February 10, 1857, at the early age of
twenty-two years. She is buried in Sugar Grove cemetery. One child,
James Thomas, was born to them, who survived a little over seven months.
Mr. Wilson was married a second time, his last wife being Mary (Lynch)
Doughty, their wedding occurring October 12, 1862. She was the widow
842 PAST AND PRESENT
of Joseph Doughty, who died October 12, 1857, near St. Mary's, Ohio. They
were the parents of one child, David, who died when four years old.
Mv. \\'ilson's second wife was a native of Maryland, the daughter of
Lemuel and Mary (Hudson) Lynch, both natives of Maryland, in which
state they married, later moving to Indiana, locating in Tippecanoe county.
There they both died, the father, who was born in 1794, departing this life
in March, 1863, at the age of sixty-nine years. His widow survived him
several years, dying in 1882, at the age of seventy-seven years. Prior to her
death she was an invalid for nine years. They are buried in Sugar Grove
cemetery. They were the parents of eleven children, six of whom grew to
maturity. Mrs. ]Mary Wilson and one brother. Thomas, being the only
survivors at this writing. Thomas resides on a farm near W'ingate in
Montgomery county. Lemuel L}nch. father of Mrs. Wilson, served in the
war of 1812, from the state of Maryland, first going to the front for six
months as a substitute, then enlisted on his own account.
Mr. Wilson and his present wife began life under none too favorable
circumstances, but they each looked to the welfare of the other and, being
hard workers and economical, soon had a comfortable living, now owning
eighty-two acres of excellent farming land in Jackson township, Tippe-
canoe countv, having liid by a sufficiency of this world's goods to enable them
to retire from the hard labors of their earlier years. They have a very sub-
stantial and pleasant home, good orchard, garden, etc., and are spending the
golden evening of their long and useful lives in comfort and ease. They are
the parents of three children, only two of whom grew to maturity, one dying
in infancy; Sarah was born August 21, 1863, and died October 5, 1863;
Emma R., born March 20, 1865, has remained single and is living at home
with her parents: Arrilda Jane, born March 18. 1868, is the wife of James
R. Miller; they reside on the subject's fami and are the parents of five chil-
dren, Paul W., Landis F., Edna M., Claricy E. and Alma R. James R.
Miller was married before his alliance with bis present wife, his first wife
being deceased. By her he became the father of three children. Minnie, de-
ceased; Shelly and Albert.
Moses F. Wilson was a member of the Grange in New Richmond, also
belonged to the first Horse Thief Detective Association of Tippecanoe and
Montgomery comities, being an active participant in its proceedings, and he
did some very clever work in recapturing stolen animals. He has long been
an active worker in the Republican party; however, he has never aspired to
public office. He and his wife were formerly members of the United Breth-
ren church, but on account of lack of a place of worship they withdrew
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 843
membership and joined the Methodist Episcopal church at Sugar Grove,
where they take an active part in all church work and are liberal supporters
of the same. Mr. Wilson has served as steward and trustee of the same,
but on account of infirmities attending old age he has withdrawn from hold-
ing office in the congregation with which he still worships. He and his wife
are highly respected in the congregation and among their neighbors.
DANIEL BURDITT.
Among those who gained worthy prestige in the agricultural and busi-
ness circles of Tippecanoe county and who proved loyal and representative
citizens was Daniel Burditt, who, after becoming well established and laying
by a competency for his family, passed on to his- reward in the silent land.
He passed his youth much as other boys of this community, working on the
old home place and attending the district schools. When twenty years of
age he married Nancy Buck, who was born August ii, 1835, on the Wea
Plains, near the Wabash river, in Tippecanoe county, and she was therefore
seventeen years old when married, October 10, 1852. After their marriage
they lived on a farm for several years, then moved to Oxford, Indiana, where
Mr. Burditt conducted a store with the same success that had characterized his
farming, succeeding in building up a liberal patronage and becoming an
influential citizen in that vicinity.
The parents of Airs. Burditt were William and Tabitha (Bidwell) Buck,
the latter dying when Nancy was four years old. William Buck was a native
of Ohio, having been born in Scioto county in 181 1. He was a farmer by
occupation and he came to Indiana when a young man, becoming the owner
of a farm on the Wea Plains in Tippecanoe county. His family consisted
of eight children. He was twice married, and four children were born to
him by each wife, four boys and an equal number of girls. His second wife's
maiden name was Ellen Heath, who is also deceased. Both of his marriages
occurred in Tippecanoe county.
Mrs. Nancy Burditt, in her girlhood, attended school on the Wea
Plains, later attended school in Lafayette and also at Fort Wayne. Her
father believed in higher education, and, being a prosperous man. was able
to give his children excellent advantages in this respect.
To Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Burditt four children were born, namely :
William, born June 6, 1859, was educated in Oxford, Benton county, where
844 PAST AND PRESENT
his birth occurred. He entered business life as a hardware merchant at
which he was successful, but he is now engaged in the real estate business
in West Lafayette, having built up a lucrative patronage. He married Anna
Ferris, of Oxford, Indiana, on September 12, 1882, and they are the parents
of three sons, Byron Lamar Burditt, the evangelist singer, is married to
iliss Bryan, of Lafayette, and they are the parents of one son, William Dean
Burditt, born October, igo8. Byron Lamar Burditt was in the Moody
Listitute for five years as a student and teacher. Anna, the oldest child of
Air. and Mrs. Daniel Burditt, was born April 24, 1854, married Mahlen
Smith, and became the mother of three daughters, all living. Mrs. Anna
Smith died August 6, 1893. The names of her children are Hattie, Oma and
Ethel. Lizzie Burditt, born June i. 1856, is deceased, as is also her sister,
Hattie, who was born March 10, 1869. Mrs. Daniel Burditt has ten grand-
children and four great-grandchildren. Her daughter Lizzie married Edgar
Dudding and six children were born to them ; those living are Charlie, Ralph,
Harry and William, all fine young men with bright futures.
This family all lives in Lafayette, Mrs. Burditt's commodious and neatly
kept home being at No. 1416 South street. She is a member of the Metho-
dist Episcopal church, and is known as a conscientious Christian, a good
mother and neighbor.
OLIVER C. GOLDSMITH.
Brought up to regard the truth as sacred and that industry was man's
salvation, Oliver C. Goldsmith, at one time a leading building contractor of
the middle \\'est, was well equipped to begin the battle of life. He was
born in Plymouth, Litchfield county, Connecticut, on July 16, 1834, and
was one of twelve children born to his thrifty parents. The Goldsmith
family was noted for its health and activity and the fact that e\ery one of
them worked. The boys followed in the footsteps of their father and learned
the stone business. Oliver C. had no more of an opportunity than did his
other brothers and he was educated in the common schools of his native
state, going four or five miles three months out of the year to the little red
school house. Attaining manhood, the young man followed the bent of his
inclinations and went in seriously to learn the stone trade. His father
taught him thoroughly the contracting end of the business and when he
retired from business a few years ago he was regarded as one of the foremost
men engaged in the building industry.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 845
Looking back through the years, OHver Goldsmith has erected or as-
sisted to erect many of the large bridges of the country. In early years he
bridged the Wabash river for tht Peoria, Decatur & Eastern railroad and
built the bridge across the same river for the city of Terre Haute, Indiana.
He also erected the bridge at Attica, Indiana, and the Main street structure
for the Lake Erie & Western railroad at Lafayette, where he now resides.
The graceful structure at Logansport owned by the Vandalia railroad and
two others owned by the Wabash railroad are monuments of his ability as a
builder. His work is also standing in Ohio, a bridge at Sandusky, one each
at Defiance and Tremont, Ohio, were erected by him. His other railroad
work is noted and he was the contractor who built the Lake Erie tS: Western
railroad from Lafayette to JMuncie, Indiana, and was one of a trio that built
the road from Lafayette to the state line. He completed the Wheeling, Lake
Erie & Western from Toledo to Alassillon, Ohio. On one occasion he built a
bridge complete, sub-structure and all, with twelve piers, in twenty-two feet
of water. It took fifty thousand feet of piling and six thousand cubic yards
of masonry and the same number of yards of rip rap. All the material
had to be shipped and put in place and he completed the work in one hundred
days.
Oliver Goldsmith was well schonlecl in his profession and the keynote
to his success, as he points out himself, was that he kept his business to him-
self. He was known as a stern man and one whose word was better than
other people's bond. When he was engaged in building a bridge at Toledo,
Ohio, Martin L. Peirce was then president of the First National Bank of
Lafayette. He furnished the funds for this contract. They were promptly
returned, and from these transactions the banker and the contractor grew to
be fast friends. The contractor was invited to take part in the affairs of tlie
bank and he became a stockholder and later one of the directors, which posi-
tion he still occupies. He is also a stockholder in the National City Bank
of Chicago and has large and diversified interests in Jackson. Michigan, and
other places. In addition he has stock in the Lafayette Loan and Trust
Company.
On April 10, 1865, J\Ir. Goldsmith married Matilda Smith, of Jackson,
Michigan, and there were two children, born. George and 01i\er, Iioth of
will m died in boyhood. His wife passed away in 1894. Although well
ad\-anced in years, Oliver Goldsmith has preserved his remarkable health
and \itality and exemplifies the adage that hard work never hurt any one.
He is over six feet in height and is considered a fine physical specimen of
nnnhood. He has lived in Lafayette for many years, coming there in 1871,
846 PAST AND PRESENT
and after an absence of several years returned again in 1884 and made that
city his home. He owns one of the handsomest residences in the city and is
considered one of the leading citizens. He says he owes his success in a
large measure to the discipline of his father, who made it a point to see that
hi.s family obeyed. His mother was a religious woman, and, while Oliver
does not belong to an}- church, he still feels the influence of his mother's
teachings. In political faith he is a Republican, though in his early life he
was a Democrat, but voted for Abraham Lincoln. All his life he has known
activity and was never a man who could stand idleness. He was not a
believer in vacations and spent his years in the hardest kind of work. He
has a large following among men of finance and his opinion is often sought
on matters of this kind. As an example of what the excellencies of labor
will bring forth he stands equal to any man in the state.
DUAXE D. JACOBS.
Aniong those who have contributed to the business interests of Lafay-
ette. Duan-e D. Jacobs holds wo'-thy prestige. For many years a leader in
mercantile circles and as executive head of one of this city's important
financial institutions he exercises a strong influence in business affairs, filling
the responsible position of president of the , Farmers and Traders' Bank of
Lafayette. He is a native of A'ernon. Oneida county, New York, where
his birth occurred on INIarch 30, 1858. His father. Royal D. Jacobs, was
of Scotch-English ancestry, and the mother, Lucinda Farrington, was born
of German and Irish antecedents. These parents were married in the state
of New York and spent their lives on a farm in Oneida county, where
their son Duane was born and reared. Young Jacobs, while yet a mere
youth, showed the mettle of which he was made by entering upon an i;i-
dependent career, having severed home ties when only seventeen years old
and began working in a general store at Oriskany Falls, and for several
years he boarded with his employer and worked from five A. M. tn ten
P. M., his duties including the sweeping of the storeroom and the per-
formance of the almost endless menial tasks which enter into the routine of
such an establishment. The merchant, being a close observer as well as a
successful business man. soon recognized the excellent qualities of the lad
and did all in his power to train him for a successful career. After spend-
ing seven vears and becoming familiar with every phase of the mercantile
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 847
trade, Mr. Jacobs became a traveling salesman for his employer, nnd during
the two following years represented the latter's flouring mill in various parts
of New York, but resigned and entered the employ of Robert Fraser, one
of the leading dry goods merchants of Utica. After one year in that city he
went to Herkimer county and accepted a clerkship in the Poland Union
store, owned by one hundred and fifty farmers, where he continued with his
usual success for a period of two years. Severing his connection with the
latter establishment. ■Mr. Jacobs returned to Utica and engaged with the
firm of ]\Iartin & Miller, the great East Side clothiers, but perceiving a
better opening with another house, he resigned his place and entered the
services of Owen Brothers, proprietors of the numerous "^^'hen stores"
throughout the country, taking a position in the branch at Lafayette. In-
diana, in 1885, and continuing with the firm until engaging in business for
himself four years later.
Air. Jacobs started the A'ernon clothing store on the south side of the
square in 1889. and after conducting the establishment upon his own re-
sponsibility for three years the business was incorporated and additional
room secured. During the ensuing ten years he was president of the Yer-
non Clothing Company's store, building up an extensive trade and became
known as an enterprising and successful merchant throughout this localit}'.
In the year 1901 a num1;)er of well-to-do farmers and tradesmen or-
ganized the Farmers and Traders' Bank of Lafayette, and in their efforts
to secure the proper person for president of the institution, the choice fell
on Mr. Jacobs, who accepted the position and, disposing of his interests in
the clothing business, he at once entered upon the discharge of his official
functions, and his relations with the bank since becoming its executive head
have been creditable to himself and satisfactory to officials, stockholders and all
others concerned. His long experience in the mercantile business peculiarly
fitted him for his duties as a financier.
I\Ir. Jacobs' career shows that he has successfully struggled against
many discouragements, and for his present position among the progressive
business men of Tippecanoe county he is indebted entirely to his own ef-
forts, and his success is such as to command respect of all classes, owing
to the fact that he has never departed from the path of rectitude and hon-
esty in his strenuous career. One of his dominating traits is his interest in de-
serving young men, having aided many in securing a good start, in the
business world.
In addition to the institution with which he is officially identified, :Mr.
Jacobs is a director of the Star Citv Building and Loan .Vssociation, no
848 PAST AND PRESENT
small part of its large success having been due to his judicious counsel in
directing its affairs. This has proven to be a great benefit to the citv, en-
abling many families to build and own their homes and starting them on
the highway of prosperity and happiness. The business of the association
is rapidly increasing, having become generally recognized as a legitimate
and praiseworthy institution. Mr. Jacobs has been interested in several
similar organizations, at least one, all the time since his coming to Lafay-
ette, and all of them have met the approval of the public. He is at this
time also a member of the commission appointed by Ex-Governor Hanly
to build the Southern Indiana Hospital for the Insane, the commission hav-
ing the disbursement of over one million dollars for that purpose.
Mr. Jacobs was married in the ye?.r 1887 to Marselda Sullins, a native
of Boone county, Indiana, who has resided in Tippecanoe county since her
childhood. Two sons blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs, namelv:
Frank Duane, who died at the age of twelve years, and Harry Carson, an
intelligent and promising lad, now thirteen years of age.
In his fraternal relations, Mr. Jacobs is a member of Tippecanoe Lodge,
Free and Accepted Masons, chapter, commandery and Scottish rite; also
belongs to the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Alystic Shrine, be-
sides Curran Lodge of the Knights of Pythias. He is a member of the
Commercial Club of Lafayette, the Merchants' Association and the Jack-
son Club, the last a political organization whose sentiments are indicated
by the name. A firm believer in the principles of the Democratic partv.
Mr. Jacobs is always interested in the success of the same, but he has never
sought political office.
Personally, Mr. Jacobs is a man of pleasing address, courteous, sociable
and business-like, and he and his estimable wife are popular in the best local
society. Plain and unassuming, they make friends readih- and their pleas-
ant home is known as a place of hospitality to a wide circle of friends and
acquaintances.
REV. BEXJAMIN \\TLSON SMITH, A. ^I.
Rev. Benjamin Wilson Smith, .-\. ]\1., of Indianapolis, was born in Har-
rison county. (West) \'irginia. near ClTrksl)urg, January 19, 1830. .\bel
Timothy Smith, his father, came imm a long line of Smiths dating back to
the earliest settlements in this country and the records remain of manv Eng-
lish generations still l)eyond. By inter-marriage of the A'irginia line of
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. «4g
Smiths he was directly descended from the Parke ( of the Parke-Custis fam-
ily), the Allen, Walmsley, De Lav and other well-known Virginia and Penn-
sylvania families of Eng-lish, Dutch and French extraction. Joshua Smith,
the father of Abel T. Smiith. was a man of large influence and one of the
first of the fi\e trustees of the Northwestern Virginia Academy, associated
with such men as Judge Duncan, United States Senator Camden and Con-
gressman George W. Summers. It was popularly said of him that he was
the handsomest man. had the best horse and wore the finest clothes of any
man who rode into Clarksburg. He was a devoted member of the Methodist
Episcopal church and built a large church for the people in his neighborhood,
in which edifice he saw his son, Abel Timothy, and has wife and two of their
children con\-erted. as well as his brother and all of his family.
His mother, Deborah Spencer Wilson, was the daughter of Col. Ben-
jamin Wilson of colonial Revolutionary life and distinction, who was the first
clerk of Harrison county, Virginia, holding the ofiice until his death, a period
of nearly forty years. His duties as clerk, however, did not withdraw him
from other public duties nor from politics. He was of Scotch-Irish ancestry,
coming from the well-known Wilson family which was prominent in the
troublous times in Scotland nearly two centuries ago, and which was identi-
fied with Scottish university and literary life. After the Scotch rebellion of
1715, David Wilson, with many c"-patriots, was compelled to take refuge in
the province ( f Ulster, Ireland, from which place his son, William Wilson,
Colonel Wilson's father, came to \'irginia in 1736, where he married Eliza-
beth Blackburn, also of Scotch-Irish birth. In 1774 Colonel Wilson, then a
young man, was attached as a lieutenant to the right wing of the amiy of
Lorfl Dunmore, the last colonial governor of Virginia, serving as aide to Lord
Dunmore, the commander-in-chief, "serving with an efficiency, zeal and at-
tention that won the confidence of his superior officer." He was present as
Lord Dunmore's aide at the treaty of Camp Charlotte when John Gibson, first
secretary of Indiana Territory, brought to Lord Dunmore the celebrated
speech of Logan, chief of the Mingoes, beginning, "I appeal to any white man
to say if ever he entered Logan's cabin hungry and he gave him not meat"
(which is found in the old school readers), and from his records there ob-
tains a thrilling and authentic account of this important and picturesque scene
in American history, and from him the historian, Alexander Withers, se-
cured much of the data for his graphic description of the Shawanoe chief.
Cornstalk, and many other details made use of in his "Border Warfare."
"Early in the Revolution he was appointed to a captaincy in the Virginia
(54)
'850 PAST AND PRESENT
forces * * * and to the close of the Revolutionary struggle through
which most of the military and civil business of the part of the state in which
he resided was transacted. * * * And in all these affairs and expeditions
he was prompt and conspicuously courageous as well as prudent and judicious.
His distinguished abilities secured him a colonel's commission in 1781." He
served for several sessions in the Virginia house of burgesses, in 1784 se-
cured the organization of Harrison county, being appointed the first clerk,
and in March, 1788, as a member of the convention of Virginia, was one of
the ratifiers of the constitution of the United States. His relative, James
Wilson, of Philadelphia, who was one of the signers of the Declaration of
Independence, was one of the framers of the constitution. "Colonel Wilson
was a Federalist in politics and was one of the acknowledged leaders of the
Federal party in western Virginia." His first wife was Ann Ruddell, a
daughter of Colonel Ruddell, the founder of Ruddell Station, Kentucky, who
with his whole family was taken prisoner when the Indians and British cap-
tured Ruddell's Station in 1780. Sometime afterward all regained their lib-
erty except one son, Stephen, who was with the Shawanoes seventeen years.
The latter was about the age of the Great Chief Tecumseh and being very
closely associated with him during m.ost of his captivity he was able to leave
to posterity an intimate biography of this chief. He, Anthony Shane and
John Connor were the favorite scouts and interpreters of Gen. William Henry
Harrison. Colonel Wilson's second wife, Mr. Smith's grandmother, was
Phoebe Davison, whose father was sheriff of Rockingham county, Virginia,
being appointed by King George, but who, on the breaking out of the Revolu-
tion, joined the patriot forces and served until the end of the war, taking part
in several engagements, among them the battle of the Cowpens. The
Davisons came from Scotland. They took a prominent part in the earliest
history of Virginia, one of them being one of the first secretaries of the
colony.
A son of Col. Benjamin Wilson, Dr. Noah L. Wilson, was a resident
physician of Lafayette from 1858 to 1862. He was sent by President Lincoln
first to Tabasco, Mexico, and later to La Union, San Salvador, in Central
America. His mission in both cases was to prevent the fitting out of rebel
privateers. His arduous duties in those torrid and unhealthy countries,
coupled with his delicate constitution, exhausted his strength and he died
on his way home, between La Union and Panama, and was buried in the
Pacific ocean, a victim of the rebellion as much as if he had tlied on the
battlefield.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 85 1
Mr. Smith's parents were much interested in the education of their chil-
dren, inspiring them with noble aspirations, teaching them honesty and true
greatness by the Christian character they maintained and always laying be-
fore them a worthy motive. The course of reading of their son, Benjamin
Wilson Smith, was as extensive as his circumstances would allow, one little
public library in which his father was a stockholder and the limited supply
of books of his friends were all to which he had access. Often he would walk
many miles to borrow a single book, and that, too, perhaps after a day's
hard work. All forgetful of weariness he would read late into the night until
the imperious mandate of father or mother would send him to bed. Many
thousands of pages were read by firelight, and many hours spent lying on his
back holding the book to catch the full glare of the feeble light. "My desire
for knowledge," says he, "was a quenchless thirst." At the age of sixteen
his education was only that afforded by the common schools. His parents
removed to the wilds of Indiana and settled in White county where, away
from teachers and libraries, away from the refinements of liberal education,
in the labors of the field and forest abundant opportunities were given for
reflection on the subjects considered in school and remembered from his pre-
vious course of history. On the day that Indiana cast her vote for Zachary
Taylor for President, Mr. Smith engaged to teach a school. It was a sub-
scription or rate-bill school. He was to receive all the public money which at
the end of thirteen weeks was to be reckoned as so much paid by the patrons.
It was an old log house in Princeton township, Whdte county. He received
ten dollars from the public fund, while by dint of collecting closely he suc-
ceeded in getting five more. His next school was in the old court house in
Rensselaer, Jasper county. The edifice served the triple purpose of school
house, church and temple of justice. He subsequently taught in Medina
township, Warren county, but was previously examined by Col. J. R. M.
Bryant of that county, who was really the author of the Indiana school law of
1852. After a term in Fountain county in the autumn of that year he en-
tered college, Asbury (now DePauw) University. By hard study he had
alone prepared himself in natural philosophy, chemistry, algebra, geometry
and elementary Latin. A six-years course met him at the threshold, which he
completed with an attendance of but three and one-half years; and so hard
pressed was he for means that he labored for wages, kept bachelor's hall in
college, taught a year and half during his course (in Tippecanoe county, the
Buckeye school. Sugar Grove, and near Newtown in Fountain county, a second
time) and even then was often compelled to borrow money with which to
get his letters from the postoffice. Though his home was distant eightv-five
852 PAST AND PRESENT
miles (the postoffice and station now at the old farm home in Smithson,
White county), he made two round trips on foot. He speaks of his college
life as an exquisite dream and his teacliers are remembered with great re-
spect. The classics opened afresh the fountain of history, poetry and art;
the science, the field of experimental philosophy ; the literary societies, the
arena of forensic effort. On the 19th day of July, 1855, he was graduated
with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Three years later his alma mater con-
ferred upon him the Master's degree and the faculty honored him by select-
ing him to deliver the ^Master's oration. His subject was "Justitia Fiat, Coe-
lum Ruit" ("Let justice be done though the heavens fall").
The conflict leading to the Ci\'il war was just opening". Mr. Smith had
voted for General Scott in 1852; he was a Whig cf the straitest kind, but
upon tlie org-inization of the "People's party" in 1854. on the bnsis of pro-
hibition and the freedom of territories, he stood with them, early taking
sides with a few gallant men who liecame the founders of the Repulilican
party. He has ever since held to the doctrines of that party. On graduation
he found many places open to him. He was elected superintendent of the city
schools of Lafayette, which office he accepted, but upon reconsideration and
with the consent of the trustees he resigned. He accepted the chair of ancient
languages in the Iowa Conference Seminary, now Cornell College, and at the
organization of that institution was chosen professor of natural sciences.
After two years he returned to Indiana, assuming charge of the ^Manchester
Collegiate Institute, and subsequently was for two years superintendent of the
public schools at Aurora. While th.ere, feeling it his duty to serve the church
more closely, he entered the Northwest Indiana conference (Mr. Smith has
been appointed to preach the conference sermon of this body at Laporte, in
the fall of 1 910, at its annual session, when he will have been a member of it
for fifty years), and took Monticello and Valparaiso stations in succession, at
the latter of which his health failed, and after a few months he was elected
to the chair of ancient languages in Walparniso Alale and Female College,
in two vears succeeding to the presidency. During this period he was for
four venrs trustee of the public schools of \^alparaiso and two years
superintendent (examiner) of the sch(^ols of Porter county. Never
during his connection with this college did a soldier's or a widow's child have
to leave school because of straitened circumstances. He appropriated and
paid from his own scanty means not less than one thousand dollars to assist
in their education. In 1863, at the meeting of the State Teachers' Associa-
tion. Mr. Smith and four other members were apjKiinted a board of directors
to organize and conduct a state normal institute for a term of one month.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 853
This institute was organized and carried on at Kniglitstown, Henry county,
in August, 1864, being the first ever organized and conducted in the state.
It was the initial step toward the State Normal School and a great forward
stride toward institute work in the state. Having resigned the presidency
of the \'alparaiso College, Bishop James at that year's conference appointed
him to Centenary Methodist Episcopal church at Terre Haute. This was an
important charge and so successful was ]Mr. Smith that in his two-years pas-
torate the membership increased over two hundred and this church, though
young, stood at the front in the conference.
But again illness laid its heavy hand upon Mr. Smith, and he was com-
pelled to superannuate. Withdrawing from the ranks of his profession, he
began traveling, studying the school systems of several states in all their
minor details of structure and peculiarity. In 1872, while a resident of In-
dianapolis, he was nominated for the office of superintendent of public instruc-
tion on the first ballot. o\-er several distinguished competitors, though he had
been a candidate but few weeks. The contest was a close one. INIr. Smith's
opponent was a very popular man, and by a combination of circumstances
was elected by a few hundred votes. It cannot be doubted that had Mr. Smith
been elected he would have done honor to himself and to the state, for it was
conceded that his liberal .scholarship, thorough acquaintance with the public
schools and the law, his. knowledge of the history of the system and of the
detail work of the office would have placed him in the foremost ranks of those
most worthy to fill the place. His health, which was almost broken by the
labor of the campaign of 1872, being now impaired, forced him to decline
many oft'ers of honorable positions, notably the superintendency of the Craw-
fordsville schools, and professorships in several prominent educational insti-
tutes. The care of churches and schools, with prostrated health, prevented
his taking part in the Civil war, but no more active or earnest Union man
was there to be found than Mr. Smith. Though attending to his pastorate at
the breaking out of the war, he took a zealous part in raising troops and, on
behalf of the ladie.s of Monticello. presented a flag to the first company leav-
ing there for the camp. The address made upon that occasion will long be
remembered. One sentence had a thrilling effect. "Brave defenders of a
until n's life in which are .=hrined the safetv of hearth and home, take this
l^anner wrought by loving hands. In the storm and snK)ke of battle, these
stars and stripes shall be a harbinger of victory; and to him who falls, its
glorious folds shall be a royal shroud and winding sheet." \\'hen oft'ered the
chaplaincy of the Ninth Indiana Regiment his physician advised him not to
go, believing he woukl li\'e scarcclv three weeks in the ser\-ice. and hence il
854 PAST AND PRESENT
was reluctantly declined. From Indianapolis Mr. Smith went to Richmond
to live and in 1877, in order that he might take a little rest, he moved to
Brookston, Indiana, near his farm and former home in White county. His
life there is an example of his executive ability, his powers of application and
endurance. He not only took charge of the academy there as superintendent
and principal, but when many of his old friends came to him requesting that
he take the pastorate of their church, he did so, but unexpectedly to him two
other appointments were coupled with it. So that for an entire year he
devoted six hours each day to his school, preaching three times every Sab-
bath, had charge of the Sunday school, and in addition completed and pub-
lished a full series of ofificial books for^ township officers and teachers which
are pronounced by the highest authority to be the best works of the kind
ever oiifered to the public. They are known as the Indiana Series of Official
Books and Blanks.
From Brookston, in 1878, Mr. Smith moved to Lafayette, casting in his
lot with the people of this county. In 1882, in his absence from home, he
was, unexpectedly to himself, nominated for the legislature. It was a cam-
paign of the fiercest political character, and though the combined power of
the saloon and brewery interest were united against the legislative ticket and
the candidate for the senate was defeated and more than half the Republican
candidates went down in defeat, Mr. Smith was elected by a good majority.
In this campaign he made thirty-five speeches in the county, establishing for
himself the reputation of an able debater and thoroughly equipped political
leader, and an honest, wise and fearless expounder of Republican principles
and policies. In debate, in counsel and in contrilnition to tlie press, ]\Ir. Smith
is always the same honest, frank and open man that he is in the common
walks of life.
During the legislative session of 1883 Mr. Smith took an active part
in educational matters and county and township affairs. He also especially
championed the cause of Purdue University and a special appropriation for
the Battle Ground. All of his bills- he got through the house, but the Battle
Ground appropriation was lost in the senate. On the floor of the house he was
a strong debater, speaking often but always to the point. His wide informa-
tion, extensive knowledge of the state and its histor\- and institutions inade
him an authority, rarely questioned. He claims to have had ninety-nine
friends in the house, and one tolerable friend — himself.
Again in 1884 Mr. Smith was a candidate for the lower house and
elected. His majority in the county was nearly equal to that of James G.
Blaine's, notwithstandin^j the saloon and brewery interests were still asfainst
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 855
him. His greatest work during the session was his championship of Purdue
University. The battle was one of giants, and it raged for twdnty-one days.
It was memorable, but was won at last, Mr. Smith's last speech was a notable
one. It was argimientative, it was conciliatory, it was adroit, it was in all
its details masterful. The fight was won and Mr. Smith had the proud sat-
isfaction of bringing home an appropriation of one hundred thousand five
hundred dollars. Mr. Johnson in the senate was alert and active, but there
was no contest in the senate. It was of Mr. Smith's great speech at that
time that Vice-President Hendricks, who with his wife was on the floor,
said : "It is very fortunate that Purdue University had such a resourceful
champion as Mr. Smith. His speech was a masterpiece of argument and
eloquence."
In 1888 Governor Gray appointed Mr. Smith at the head of the com-
mission on the part of the state of Indiana to participate in the one hundredth
anniversary of the founding of the civil government in the Northwest Ter-
ritory at Marietta, Ohio, July i6, 1788. Later the Governor requested Mr.
Smith to deliver the address in the former's place, as, owing to the national
convention at St. Louis, he was prevented from attending the celebration.
Mr. Smith went to Marietta, and delivered the address. He also attended the
celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of the settlement of Marietta in
April, 1888. Both were noted gatherings and it is needless to say that In-
diana was well represented and that Mr. Smith's address was worthy of this
great occasion. It is published in the official proceedings of this great cen-
tennial anniversary. It was in the campaign of 1888 that his political ca-
pacity was demonstrated. It was supposed that the Gresham influence would
sweep Tippecanoe county. It was reported at Indianapolis that there were
no Harrison adherents there e.xcept John W. Heath, James M. Reynolds, and
B. Wilson Smith. But B. Wilson Smith had promised General Harrison the
county of Tippecanoe by a "quiet, peaceful canvass if possible, but anyhow
the county." Toward this he bent his energy and tactful management, an-
tagonizing no one, shunning all controversy, so that there should be no occasion
for "sore spots" after the district convention was over. The result was a
surprise, for out of twenty-five delegates from Tippecanoe county, twenty-
four voted for the two' Harrison delegates to the national convention in
Chicago. Mr. Smith presided at the district convention at Frankfort and
wrote the resolution endorsing General Harrison. It was a straight, un-
equivocal declaration of loyal endorsement of choice. No "first, last and all
the time" endorsement, which binds delegates and deprives them of freedom
of action in the emergencies that may arise. It was desired by General Har-
856. PAST AND PRESENT
rison's friends that Mv. Smith shi)uld be a delegate to the Chicago conven-
tion, but lie 5aid, "No, we have won the fight; let the boys have all the
honors from the beginning to the end." Few people know how large a factor
he was in that contest. He seemed to know more delegates from different
states than any one there. He labored day and night, was on visiting com-
mittees of twos to a great number of state delegations. His cousin, Hon.
Creed \V. Haymond, was the chairman of California's delegation. His
cousin told him, confidentially, early in the contest, that if Blaine could not
be nominated, that California and the Pacific coast would be wheeled into line
for Harrison. On Monday, on the seventh ballot. Colonel Haymond on the
call of his state rose and declared, with a voice that thrilled the convention,
that "California casts her sixteen votes for the grandson of the hero of Tippe-
canoe— Benjamin Harrison," and leaving his seat he carrieil the California
banner and planted it by the side of the Indiana banner, held b)' the \-eteran
Col. R. \\'. Thompson. Then the break began and at the end of the mil
call a large majority of the banners of the states were clustered around the
banner of Indiana. General Lew Wallace confidently affirmed that General
Harrison owed his nomination more to B. ^^'ilson Smith than to any other
one person. Under the Harrison administration, not caring to go from
home, Mr. Smith was appointed postmaster of Lafayette. His policy was a
business administration. Before he had been in oflice one month, he had
personally inspected eveiy mail-box in the city and on the West side. He
ordered a large supply of new boxes to replace the old and insecure ones.
He selected good men for the different positions, and the number of his
old appointees still in office testify to their efficiency. The present postmaster,
T. W. Burt, was his chief of carriers. He found the mail facilities very poor
in the city. No letters could be mailed after nine o'clock at night unless they
were carried to the train and mailed on the postal cars. The postoffice closed
at 9 P. M. and the night clerk closed up business and went to bed. Even
the mail pouches were brought to and taken from the pnstnffice by an omni-
bus man, who had a key to the postoftice, which he carried day and night and
he was not even a sworn mailcarrier. In three days all of this was changed.
The keys were called in and, lest some might still be out, new locks were
put on the doors and new railings set up en the inside so that the mail depart-
ment was as private as the postmaster's private office. As soon as I\Ir. Smith
could go to Washington, he secured an arrangement by which any mail de-
posited by the patrons in the boxes in the hotels and about the public square,
should be taken up by a mail clerk at 10 o'clock P. M. and dispatched by
the first mail going toward its destination, 'i'his continued during his in-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 857
cumbency, but was abandoned by liis successor soon after coming into office.
He devoted bis whole time to tbe office, and was famibar with every depart-
ment. Twenty-six raibvay mail clerks were paid at the Lafayette office during
bis tenn. His personal demeanor toward tbe postoffice employes \vas kindly
and confidential. He never declined information or proper advice from any
of them. At his request this postoffice was placed under ci\'il service rules
and after that everj^ and all appointments were made according to tbe rule
of three names being certified to him. He never failed to appoint the first
one on tbe list, even though he were a Democrat. He often said, "Politics
is one thing, but tbe running of a postoffice ciuite another." His bond as
postmaster was thirty-two thousand dollars, and he inaugurated a new policy
recpiring every appointee to give indemnifying bond, except tbe carriers, who
were all bonded by the government, bond one thousand dollars. The aggre-
gate of the bonds, excluding the carriers, was twenty-eight thousand dollars.
During his term there was not a defalcation of employes, not a dollar lost
in tbe office, and tbe office was inspected but once, and then the inspection
and tbe office account tallied to a cent.
A. E. Shearman was assistant postmaster, the best assistant that any
postmaster ever had, and Capt. A. L. Stony, another Civil war veteran, was
money order clerk. His son, Guy Mcllv.iine Smith, though youthful, rendered
valuable service in several departments at different times. When Mr. Smith
closed bis official term, he bad the proud satisfaction of knowing that his
sixteen quarterly reports were never cfi balance a cent, and when his money
order receipts were finally reported, the general government owed him four
cents.
In 1896 Mr. Smith was again elected to tbe general assembly, and made
cbairma-i of tbe committee of ways and means. He here inaugurated a
new method of business. ( i ) He invited the finance committee of the sen-
ate to meet bis committee at every session and discuss and vote with them.
(2) He summoned the bead of each public institution to which tbe legisla-
ture appropriated money to meet the committee, when his institution's wants
were under consideration. The appropriations were so carefullv considered
that tbe appropriation bill as it left tbe house and went to the senate, car-
ried within one thousand dollars of the amount as it became a law. In tbe
caucuses of bis party be advocated bi-partisan boards of control, even to tbe
pri.son boards. But his great work of that session was the general appropria-
tion bill. It provided for seventy-six thousand dollars of deficiencies of the
previous legislature, cut down the previous general appropriation more than
three hundred and ninetv-six thousand dollars, and left a deficiencv for the
858 PAST AND PRESENT
incoming legislature of only fifteen thousand dollars. All of this in the face
of an increase of over seven hundred persons in the number of inmates of
the penal and reformatory institutions.
In 1898 Mr. Smith left Tippecanoe county to live in Indianapolis. But
his business relations have continued very close to this county. Under the
reform law of 1899 he made a complete set of books and blanks for town-
ship trustees, undoubtedly the best ever produced. When the depository law
was enacted, he set about to master its details and give to townships, cities
and towns, books and blanks that would fully represent the details of the law,
and this he did in six different sets of books and blanks that stand as his
final monument of business reform. It is perhaps safe to say that in the
making of books and blanks for the official carrying out of laws, he has no
rival in the state. The official life of Mr. Smith has been a clean one — no
trust ever betrayed. His business life, mostly with public offices, has been
honest and free from "graft" — his private life one of integrity and Chris-
tian character — his love for Tippecanoe county and its citizens very marked
and earnest, and it is heartily reciprocated by her citizens.
Mr. Smith is a Knight Templar in the I^Iasonic fraternity and a member
of the encampment in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is an
honorary member of the Order of Cincinnatus, a member of the Society of
Sons of Colonial Wars, of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, of the Tippecanoe
County Historical Society, of the State Historical Society, of the State His-
torical Association, and of the Indianapolis Art Association. He is a minis-
ter of the Methodist Episcopal church, Armenian in creed, and a firm l>eliever
in the Bible as a divine revelation. He accepts religion as a supernatural
growth in the heart. All these were taught him in his youth, while the most
careful study and conscientious thought have only confirmed this early
teaching.
November ly. 1853. ^Ir. Smith married Ruth Anna Rankin, of Green-
castle, Indiana. ]\Iiss Rankin was of disting^nshed Puritan. Quaker and
Southern colonial ancestr)-, among them being Governor Welles, one of the
earliest governors of Connecticut, who framed the constitution of that colony,
which is said to be the motlel for the constitution of the United States. She
was highly educated and of unusual native and acquired musical ability. Of
this union is a large family of children of intelligence and refinement. The eld-
est son, Orville Rankin, died in infancy in Valparaiso. Bernard Gilbert and
Paul Oueale died in Lafayette, the former a young man in his twentieth year,
of exceptional brilliancy and promise; the latter a beautiful child of four and
one-half years. The remaining children are: Lilian Gray, Eva Wilson, Ida
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 859
Virginia, Nelly Colfax, Benaldine (wife of Hon. William T. Noble) and Guy
Mcllvaine, and one grandson, Frederick Merrill Smith. Three daughters
graduated at Purdue University. All of the children have specialized in one
or more lines, having attained more than ordinary proficiency in vocal, piano
and violin music and literary pursuits. Mr. and Mrs. Smith celebrated their
silver wedding anniversary while living in Lafayette. Since removing to
Indianapolis, they have celebrated their golden wedding, in 1905. The oc-
casion was marked by felicity and good cheer, many friends coming from a
distance to extend congratulations, and many messages were received from
Europe, Asia, South America, Africa, Australia, Mexico and all parts of the
United States. Mr. Smith is perhaps above the average in size, has fair
complexion and blue eyes, and brown hair until advanced in years. His head
is massive and as a result of reading by firelight in his youth is stooped. He
is fluent of speech, and has a memory of most remarkable tenacity, quick
perception and rapid analytical powers. Skilled in polemics, he grasps the
salient points of a question at once, and either in conversation or debate his
copious memory pours its unceasing stream of facts and figures out before
him. In college he was known among the students as the Historical Cyclo-
pedia. He does not stop to enter into technicalities, but not infrequently
astonishes by his citation of the volume and page of works with which he
could hardly be supposed to be familiar. With politicians he is at home, for
all the contests in the country are familiar to him. He can quote the major-
ities in the various counties and districts for a score of campaigns back.
With ministers he discusses all of the subtleties of the polemics of the church
men, and among the educators is authority on all questions to be met in their
varied calling. His long experience as teacher led him into all the depart-
ments of a college curriculum.
The following incident shows how early in childhood the subject liegan
the responsibilities of life. When a little past five years of age his father
sent him to Clarksburgh, the county seat, four miles away, with a note to
George Heugle, a saddler, saying: "You will please send my old saddle by
Ben." Mr. Heugle read the note and said: "W'hat is your name?" He
answered, "Ben." Said he, "Were you not named for your grandfather Ben-
jamin Wilson? Then is not your name Benjamin?" "Yes, sir, but they call
me 'Ben' for short." "Well," said he, "you tell your father, that I say, a
boy only five years old who can come alone on horseback more than four
miles, deserves to be called by his full name."
The power of adaptability to every circumstance is a Iiappy faculty. In
him it is remarkable. Having traveled extensively liy all modern methods,
taking the fare of the cabiii as well as that of the ])alace hotel, even-where he
860 PAST AND PRESENT
is alike at home. His service to the negro in the day of his 1x)ndage was
full of sympathy and hope. During the darkest hours of the Rel)ellion he
never lost hope but said, "The cause is just, and since God rules, justice will
be done though the heavens fall." The sound judgment and magnanimous
nature which have been distinguishing characteristics of Mr. Smith through
life show no diminution although he has rounded so goodly a number of
years. He has recently been termed by a person of prominence, who was
formerly a well-known educator of the state, "The Grand Old Man of
Indiana." In his college days and later, before the pressure of many cares
denied him adequate leisure, Mr. Smith was a writer of many \'erses. It
ma}- be fitting to close this sketch with the following lines which he wrote in
1880 in an autograph album "On the Banks of the Wabash," as he then
expressed it :
'Tis night brings out the stars.
Sad tears the eyes of beauty brighten.
So life itself without some jars
Could not our natures greatly heighten ;
Then welcome, toil, and welcome, strife.
If these shall bring a nimbler life.
FREDERICK AUGUST GOBAT.
The little republic of Switzerland has, according to its size, sent niore
honorable and industrious citizens to the United States than nnv fore!'::-n
nation. They are always loyal to our inistitutions, readv to defend our
flag on the field of battle and they become property owners and in every
respect desirable residents of whatever communitv we find them. One of the
best examples of this worthy class to be found in Tippecanoe coimtv is I-'red-
erick A. Gobat, a prosperous farmer of \\'ashington townshii^ who was
born in Switzerland on February 6, 1831, He grew to manhood in his
native country where he attended school and learned farming on the hoine
place, and chose this as his life work. Having heard sn nnich of the o])por-
tunities that existed in the great republic across the sea, he early in life de-
cided to come here and make his fortune; thus, after a long and tedious voy-
age, belauded in New York harbor, June 7, 1851, and ten days later he ar-
rived in Lafayette, Indiana. He had some money after defraving the ex-
penses of the trip. Upon looking about for sinnething to do be found an
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 86l
opening in the cabinetmaker's trac'.e. and he worked at tliis for a time, then
found employment in a brick-yard, and stiU later made ties for the W'abish
railroad, also worked at the carpenter's trade in Lafayette. He showed his
patriotism to his adopted country upon the breaking- out of the great war
between the states by being the first man from Tippecanoe county to enlist
in the three-months service, having made a gallant record as a soldier in
the Tenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. When the term of his first enlist-
ment had expired he again enlisted, casting his lot the last time with the
One Hundredth Regiment Indiana, Volunteer Infantry, in which he re-
mained until the close of the war, ha\ing taken part in some of the most
hotly contested battles of the conflict, among which was that of Missionary
Ridge, where he was wounded in the leg and in several other places. His
left limb is still in a bad condition as a result of these wounds. He is re-
membered by his government with a monthly pension of twenty dollars.
After he returned from the army he took up the peaceful pursuits of
life and has made a good living ever since, now owning a small place in
Washington township where he has a very comfortable home.
Mr. Gobat was married in August, 1862, to Mrs. Mar}- Newman, and
by this union one son was born, namely : Frederick A., Jr., who is a farmer
in Perry township. The subject's second marriage was to Mrs. Sarah Arm-
strong, and by this union one daughter was born, whom they named Theresa,
who married Harry Smith. They live in Delphi, Indiana; her mother died
when Mrs. Smith was only fourteen months old. Mr. Gobat was married a
third time, his last wife being Margaret Underbill, who died April 9. 1908.
No children were born to this union. In politics he is a Republican. He is
a man of upright character and a man of whom no harm could be said in
any way.
STEPHEN J. HANNAGAN.
Lafayette received a desirable acquisition to her citizenship when the
Hannagan family became residents of the community. \\'ealthy Irish ne\-er
emigrate and it is only the poor of that race that take up their abode in
foreign countries. Wealth, however, does not consist entirely of money and
the United States has been greatly enriched by the brawn and muscle, sharp
wits and jovial natures that have come to her from the famous isle beyond
the eastern ocean. Patrick Hannagan, only one of many, but a fine type of
the industrious and cheerful laborer, became identified with Lafavette before
862 PAST AND PRESENT
the Civil war. He married Johanna Kelley, an Irish girl who had come over
about the same time as himself, and they reared a fine family of boys and
girls before death called the father away in 1868 and the mother in 1879.
W. J. Hannagan. the eldest of the children, is a resident of Lafayette ; Mrs.
John Gleason lives in Chicago ; Charles P. and Stephen J. are residents of
Lafayette; Edward T. is dead; Katherine, wife of Mark Miller, resides at
Lcgansport, and Patrick G. is a citizen of Chicago.
Stephen J. Hannagan, who is the best known member of this popular
family, was Ixirn at Lafayette, Indiana, JNIay 25. 1863, and all his life has
been lived within the limits of his native place. He obtained a fair educa-
tion in the parochial schols of St. Ann's and St. Mary's and his first boyish
work was in a stave factory at fifty cents per day. From tliis he went into
the grocery business, followed it for six years and then took a position at
the car works as weighmaster. Subsequently he worked for a time as time-
keeper and shipping clerk at the Barbee Works. It was in 1889 that an event
occurred which proved to be a turning point, destined to influence the whole
course of his subsequent life. At a time when the city was strongly Repub-
lican, the Democratic party nominated Mr^ Hannagan as their candidate for
city clerk and though he had to face great odds, he pulled through by a
majority of one hundred and forty-nine, and, being re-elected in 1891, he
served in the office altogether for a period of five years. In August, 1894,
he bought the saloon at No. 417 Columbia street and has since l>een the
owner and proprietor of that establishment. In 1896 he was elected council-
man from the second ward and by repeated re-elections, sometimes for terms
of four years, sometimes for only two, according to the caprice of the legis-
lature, he has continued to be a member up to date ami will not end this
phenomenal local legislative career until January i, 1910. During tliis long
tenure Mr. Hannagan has proved a useful and popular member, attentive to
his duties and watchful of the city's interests. That he was entirely satis-
factory to his constituents and popular in the community generally, is amply
proven l)y the long time he has been held in the public service. During most "
of his time he has served as chairman of the committee on streets and alleys
and this influential position enabled him to put through many valuable meas-
ures for the improvement of the city. The visitor who enjoys a ride over
the manv miles of improved streets in Lafayette will be told in answer to
questions that the people owe more for this great luxury and beautifier
to Stephen J. Hannagan than to any other man in the city. All will learn
that his efforts and energy have redounded to his success in a financial way
and tliat he has something substantial to show as the result of years of labor.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY^ IND. 863
Among his holdings is the residence he occupies at No. 122 South Fourtn
street where he dispenses the genuine article of Irish hospitality. When
prosperity smiled upon him, Mr. Hannagan's thought naturally reverted tu
his native land and he longed to revisit the spot so dear to the heart of
every Irishman. This wish he was enabled to gratify in 1907, when he
tra\eled with his family not only in Ireland but in England and France.
In August, 1885, Mr. Hannagan married Sallie Foley, a natixe of Lafay-
ette, uf Irish extraction. Their only child is Harry E. Hannagan, who was
bcrn in 1886 and is now a student. Mr. Hannagan is a member of St. Ann's
Catholic church and was one of the committee that assisted in its building.
He is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and served four years
as state secretary. He has for twenty-eight years l>een a member of the
local (jrder of Hibernians, his tastes being friendly and social and his chief
delight communion with his family.
GEORGE B. SHELBY.
The family of this name in Tippecanoe county originated in Ohio, where
its earlier members were identified with the state during its formative period.
In 1828, Isaac Shelby migrated to the vicinity of Terre Haute, Indiana, and
soon afterward located at Covington, Fountain county, and spent eight years
in that section of the state as a farmer. He then removed to Tippecanoe
county, secured land in Jackson township and became quite prominent in
politics as a Whig. He was for some time a member of the lower house
of the legislature, and in 1856 was a candidate for state senator. His son,
John B. Shelby, who was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, was only a year old
when the family came to this state. He- married Margaret A. Beaver, a
native of Pennsylvania, but later a resident of Pickaway county, Ohio, and with
her settled on a farm in Jackson township, Tippecanoe county. Their son,
George B. Shelby, was born on this farm May 3, 1864, grew up like mil-
lions of other farm boys, working during the summer and attending the
district schools during the winters. When qualified for higher studies, he
entered Purdue University and spent two years in that institution, after
which he resumed his work on the farm. Mr. Shelby has a turn for politics
and has long been active as one of the local leaders of the Republican party.
He was trustee of Jackson township from 1900 to 1904, and administered
the affairs of this important office in such a way as to gain the commenda-
tion of his constituents. In November, 1908, he v;as elected to the im-
864 PAST AND PRESENT
portant office of county commissioner for the term beginning January i,
1909, and is now serving a three-years term with entire acceptability to
the taxpayers of the county. He is prominent in Masonry, in which order
he has taken the various degrees up to that of Knight Templar. He is a
member also of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and attends
services at the Methmlist church. l\Ir. Shelliy has nut let politics divert
him from the main business of his life, which is farming, and in this line he
has kept abreast with the progress that has marked Indiana agriculture dur-
ing the last two decades. He owns one Inmdred and sixty acres of land in
the northeast corner of Jackson township, which is well cultivated and well
cared for.
In September, 1890, Air. Shelby married Mattie L.. dnugiiter of E. F.
Haywood, and has two sons, George E. and Francis H. The family is
highly respected and Air. Shelby is one of the popular men of the county,
both in business and politics.
SEPTIMIUS VATER.
Whether the elements of success in life are innate attributes of the in-
dividual, or whether they are quickened by a process of circumstantial devel-
opment, it is impossible to clearly determine; yet the study of a successful
life, like that of Septimius Vater, cue of the most progressive and representa-
tive citizens of Tippecanoe county, is none the less interesting and profitable
by reason of the co-existence of this same uncertainty. So much in excess of
success is the record- of faihn"es that one is constrained to attemi)t an analysis
in either case and to determine the method of causation in an approximate
wav. The march of improvement and progress is accelerated day by day,
and each moment seems to demand a man of broader intelligence and greater
discernment than did the preceding one. Successful men must be live men in
this age. bristling with activity, and the lessons of biography may be far-
reaching to an extent not superficially evident, especially if they embody
such lessons as are contained in the life-record in the following paragraphs.
Septimius Vater was born in Cincinnati. Ohio, August 20, i8.:i5, son
of Thomas and Eleanor (Palmer) \'ater. The father was born near Liver-
pool. England, May 12. 1805, the family having, for several generations,
resided in that vicinity. When cpiite a yc ung man he removed to London
and there met and, on .April 3, 1826, married his wife. Thomas Vater was
a sturdv Republican in his ideas, a great admirer of the free political in-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 865
stitutions of this country rnd in his yruiiiful enthusiasm connected himself
with an organization having for its oliject the est^iblishment of a reinibhc
instead of a monarchy in England. \\ hen the editor of its newspaper \ais
arrested for treason, in 1829, Mr. Vater assisted in publishing the paper, ihe
editor still writing from his prison cell. This brought him under the notice
of the royal police ; and learning that he. too. was to be arrested, he boarded
a ship bound for America, which sailed away just as the arresting ofKicers,
with the warrant, came in sight; this was before a cable telegraph or any
kind of telegraphic communication was drer.med of. His brave young wife,
with two little ones, dared the hardships and perils which then, before the
days of steamships, were incident to a journey to far-off America, and. re-
joining her husband, shared with him the pri\-ations of pioneer backwootis
life in Illinois, where, near Peoria, they had, alter many adventures and ex-
periences, finally settled. After some years they made their way by "prairie
schooner," then the only means available for the purpose, to Cincinnati, and
here Septimius Vater was born.
The senior Mr. Vater was of a restless, energetic, enterprising tem-
perament, and the discovery of gold in California in 1849 attracted him
tliither. He made three trips by the isthmus route, passed through all the
experiences of a mining camp, and died in 1852, on the isthmus, while en-
gaged in the project of establishing a hotel on the Nicaragua route, near the
head of the San Juan river, midway across, in which enterprise he had em-
barked his entire means. His death left the mother, destitute and with three
little children to support. The struggles and triumphs of that brave woman
are more worthy of the laurel wreath of fame than many a lauderl hero and
will ne\-er be forgotten by her grateful children.
Circumstanced thus, the subject of this sketch was early trained to j^ro-
ductive industry. In fact he became a wage earner in a small way at the
early age of seven years, and after twelve years never attended school con-
tinuously or for any great length of time, antl he was entirely self-support-
ing after his eighteenth year. In 1853 his widowed mother and the little
family removed to Indiana, locating in Indianapolis, then not nearly so large
as Lafayette now, and here ]Mr. \\ater received liis education in the public
common and high schools, which was brought to a sudden terminus by the
temporary collapse of the public school system, consequent upon Judge
Perkins' decision in 1856 in the Jenners case. Then the young lad. bidding
farewell to school and books, started out on active business life at twelve
yeTrs of age ; clerking first in Perrine's hook store, which then occupied the
(55)
.866 PAST AND PRESENT
corner ground-floor room in the Odd Fellows building, \\'ashington and
Pennsylvania streets. Shortly after he started as an apprentice in the job
department of the Daily Sentinel. On acquiring his trade, which he followed
but a short time after completing his four-years apprenticeship, he took a
place as bookkeeper in the Western Union Telegraph office, and while there
incidentally acquired the operator's art. In 1863 he removed to Cincinnati
to take a place as estimator for the Daily Times job department, and during
the latter part of his connection with that paper he did the work of the de-
partment of amusements on the paper. In the closing days of October,
1864, he accepted the position tendered him by W. S. Lingle of bookkeeper
and business manager of the Courier of this city, and removed to Lafayette
— his last move, for he has ever since been a resident citizen of Lafayette.
On January i, 1869, in association with Ben B. Barron, a most suc-
cessful traveling agent, also employed on the Courier, he took Hon. John
Purdue's "elephant." the Daily Journal, oft' his hands, the firm being Bar-
ron & Vater, and without a cent of money they began the work of restoring
its former prestige, and with great success. In the meantime, while still
with the Courier, ;Mr. Vater was married, October 16, 1866, to Aramantha
C. Vawter, daughter of Williamson D. Vawter, an old resident of Vernon,
Jennings county, Indiana. Mr. Barron's health failed in about a year, and
a year and a half after the formation of the partnersliip he succuml>ed to
consumption. ]Mr. \'ater then shouldered the whole load, and continued
the paper, at first alone, and then, fi r a few years, in partnership with Albert
B. White, under the firm name of S. A'ater & Company until about the
middle of December, 1882, when they sold the establishment to Harrv T-.
Wilson.
Mr. White was a son of Hon. Emerson E. \\'hite (now deceased), who
was president of Purdue University at the time of the purchase of a one-
third interest in the Journal; and after his removal to Parkersburg, We^t
Virginia, a short time before the sale, rose to distinction in that state and
served it with honor for one full term as its Governor.
After a rest of al>out a year (during wliich he was recalled, in Jul>.
1883, from California to Chicago, by ]\Irs. Wilbur F. Storey, to enter into
the management nt the then great and prosperous Chicagi) Times, as her
personal representative. Mr. Storey having lieen stricken willi softening of
the brpin, but owing to the legal complication which arose, never actually
assumed control) Mr. Vater bought the Morning Call of the Cox brothers,
converted it into an evening paper on March 4, 1885, added press dispatches
and put it "on its feet" financially and in equi])nient. On June 16, 1896. he
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 867
sold the Call to John George, Jr., of Jackson. Alichigan, and terminated
his newspaper career.
After a short rest, in May, 1898, Mr. Vater, by invitation of James J.
Perrin, president of the Perrin National Bank and a life-long friend, bought
a block of stock in this bank, and became connected Avith it as assistant
cashier and a director. In 1899, under the bank's auspices, the Indiana Trust
and Safe Deposit Company was organized under the Indiana trust company
law. and Mr. Vater was made its secretary, still continuing as an official
of the bank. W'hen, in June, 1902, owing to Mr. Perrin's failing health, a
consolidation was arranged between the J^Ierchants National and the Perrin
interests, Mr. Vater remained with the trust company end of the combina-
tion, and was elected treasurer of the Lafayette Loan and Trust Company.
This position he held until September 10. 1909, when he resigned to em-
bark again in business on his own account, in the same general line of
mortgage loans, trusts and estates, and is enjoying a satisfactory patronage
in this business.
The pleasant home of ]\Ir. and Mrs. Vater has been blessed by the birth
of three children. Rev. Williamson D., the eldest, is a graduate of Purdue
University and the Princeton Theological Seminary, is married and settled
as pastor of the North Presbyterian church, St. Louis. Missouri. A second
son. Thomas Eugene, died in infancy. The youngest child. Miss Agnes
Eugenie, is also a Purdue graduate, and she still gladdens and makes more
beautiful the lovely dwelling of this congenial family, on Perrin avenue.
Mr. \'ater became a member of St. John's Episcopal church soon after
coming to Lafayette, but about 1870, with his wife, transferred his member-
ship to the First Presbyterian church, with which the whole familv, except
the son, are still connected.
Mr. Vater's exemplary habits, his probity of character, and genial, so-
cial ways have won for him the deepest respect and esteem where he is fa-
miliarly known. There are, doubtless, few men who have a higher appreciation
or set a greater value upon the friendship of those he respects, trusts, and in
whom he confides, than Septimius Vater,
JULIUS NEUMANN.
.Among the enterprising and substantial business men of Lafavette who
ha\-e won success by untiring effort and rightly directed talents is Julius
Neumann, who is deserving of conspicuous mention in this work along
868
PAST AND PRESENT
with Other piibhc-spirited local citizens, because they have shown them-
selves to be the possessors of superior qualities, the qualities that win. and
are not discouraged at obstacles. He is the scion of a worthy old German
family, having himself been born in Germany in 1858. His parents were
Christian and Dorothea Xeumann, who. in 1881. came with their son Julius
to America, coming direct to Lafayette, Indiana. Julius soon found em-
ployment as a tinner, at which he worked until 1892, having learned the
many details of that business while still a resident of Germany. In 1892
he and C. W. Warenburg formed a partnership for the purpose of conduct-
ing a tin and hardware business. The business had, however, been started
by Webber & Warenburg, but, upon the withdrawal of the former, Mr.
Neumann became Mr. Warenburg's partner, as stated. ^Ir. W^arenburg died
in 1897 and Christian Mertz became 'Sir. Neumann's partner, the firm
becoming known as Mertz-Neumann Company, incorporated in 1898. In
the same year the name of tiie company was changed to J. Neumann Hard-
ware Company. Useless to say that the business of this firm has gradually
grown until its customers may be found all over the county and are con-
stantly increasing. A full and well-selected general stock of hardware is
kept and prices are always right according to the statement of some of
their customers of long standing. They also do an extensive business in their
tin shop, wliich is run in connection with the store. They do all kinds of
cornice work, install furnaces, and do a great deal of slate roofing. 'Sir.
Neumann is president and manager of the company, and he is regarded as
a thorough business man in every respect, keen, alert, but ever honorable
and reliable.
Julius Neumann was married in 1884 to ]Mary Overesch, daughter of
Bernard Overesch, a family of excellent standing. To Mr. and Mrs. Neu-
mann eleven children have been born, of whom eight are living, namely :
Edward J., who is married and has one son, is in the plumbing business
with E. R. Overesch ; Flora is a member of the office force of the Lafay-
ette ^Morning Journal ; Louise is bookkeeper for the company of whicli her
father is president: Lydia is in the office of Frank Kimmel, prosecuting at-
torney of Tippecanoe county; .\rthur is em]5loyed in the tin sho]i of the
Neumann Company ; W'alter, Elizabeth and Noble are attending school and
are still member'^ of the home circle.
That Mr. NcunT-nn is deserving of great credit for what he has ac-
complished is shown by the fact that when he started in business he had
n.othing except a good credit. His former employer took him into the firm
on merely his note for thirteen hundred di 'liars, which ^Ir. Neumann paid
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 869
off in part each year from his profits above his wages. He is nu\v a thrifty
and snbstantial citizen, having a large business and a splendid and attract-
i\-e home. He is a member of the Salem Reformed church, and in his
fraternal relations he belongs to Siegel Lodge, Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, and Star City Lodge of Druids. He is also a member of the
German National Park Association. He lias an excellent family, all fairly
v.-ell educated and young people of much promise, all members of the Neu-
mann family being held in high fax'or by their neighbors and acquaintances.
GEORGE HENRY SATTLER.
Judging from .the laudatory statements of a wide coterie of friends and
acquaintances of the late George H. Sattler, no citizen of Tippecanoe county
in recent years has so indelibly impressed his personality upon the people
here. A cursory glance at his honorable and eminently useful career is
sufficient to show the genuine worth of the man, and the fact that he was
unqualifiedly popular with all classes is criterion enough of his exemplary
character. Such a life is deserving of emulation and of a place on the pages
of history. He was a native of Lafayette, having been born here April ii,
1861, the son of John and Catherine (Sattler) Sattler, a prominent family
here for many years, a detailed sketch of which appears on another page of
this work. •
George H. Sattler was educated in the local public schools, and he also
attended business college, receiving a very serviceable and practical education.
Deciding to become a tailor, he took a course in a cutting school in Cleve-
land, Ohio, and from there he went to Chicago, where he attended Stone's
Cutting School, but not yet content to leave school until he had thoroughly
mastered his trade, he attended jMitchell's Cutting School in New York
city, graduating from all three of these institutions and thus preparing him-
self for the very highest grade of workmanship. After spending a short
time at Indianapolis, Mr. Sattler returned to Lafayette, and April i, 1889,
went in with his father as a partner in the well-known tailoring establishment
of John Sattler. At the death of his father, young Sattler became prac-
tically the sole owner of the business, which was incorporated vvhen Ferdi-
nand Sattler became a partner, the firm continuing under the corporate name
of the Sattler Sons Company. LTnder the management of George H., the
business continued to rapidly increase until a verv liberal and extensive
870 PAST AND PRESENT
patronage was enjoyed, for the reputation of the firm was for fair dealing
and high-class work. Their establishment was a neat, well-equipped and
systematically managed one — a credit to any community.
Mr. Sattler's harmonious domestic life began on October 15, 1885, when
he was married to Katherine D. Smetzer, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, where her
family has long been prominent. She is the daughter of Frederick and Sophia
(Match) Smetzer, the former a native of Bavaria, Germany, who came to
America about 1850. He was at one time treasurer of Allen county and
held many other public offices there, being a man highly esteemed by his
fellow citizens, owing to his honorable dealing with his fellowmen, his
genuine ability and his public spirit. He was a highly educated man and a
descendant of the famous Von Winderbach family, a representative of the
German nobility. Mrs. Sattler now has many valuable and interesting heir-
looms from the family.
George H. Sattler was called to settle up his accounts with this world
on August 17, 1908, dying of an unexpected attack of heart failure. Sur-
viving him are Mrs. Sattler and two children, Mrs. Ross E. Ault. whose
maiden name was Olga Octavia, and G. Herbert.
Mr. Sattler was one of the city's leading business men, and his death
was a great shock to the business world of Lafayette, being sudden and
unexpected. Expressions of sorrow were general throughout the city-. Prob-
ably no man in Lafayette had more friends than he, for he was universally
admired and loved by all, young and old, having inherited the industry of
his honored father, the late John Sattler, and, like him, was a man of un-
questioned integrity, having the highest respect of all. His disposition was
peculiarly friendly and his personality was magnetic. He was never known
to speak ill of any one, and was particularly known for his optimism and
his regard for his fellowmen, especially of the business world. Few men
made friends more readily than he and still fewer men valued friendship
as did he. He was fond of a wholesome joke and a hearty laugh. Seldom
was he seen without a smile lighting up his pleasant face. His presence
was like sunshine and he was welcome wherever he appeared. He made
his business an art and was as conscientious in that matter as in evervthing
that was associated with his life and character. He was one of the con-
servative, substantial and successful young business men of the city, and his
abilitv in his particular line was recognized by competitors as well as
patrons. He was a man of strong character and his life was one of un-
broken honor. He was devoted to his family, a man of unblemished repu-
tation and was a useful and worthv citizen. Being honest and reliable, he
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 87 1
enjoyed the confidence of every one with whom he came into contact. Be-
ing of even temper, always pleasant and courteous, he had hosts of warm
friends. As a member of the Lafayette Club, he took a great interest in the
city's affairs, and he was a conscientious Christian, having been a faithful
member of the German Lutheran church.
JOHN SATTLER.
A well-remembered and highly honored business man of Lafayette was
the late John Sattler, whose career has been terminated by the fate that
awaits us all, but whose influence still pervades the lives of those with whom
he associated most closely. He was born in Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany,
November 26, 1832, the son of George and Elizabeth (Kemp) Sattler, the
former of whom was a prosperous miller.
John Sattler learned the tailor's trade at Fuhrt, Odenwald, Germany,
and he followed this trade in his native country until March 13, 1851. On
April 1st of that year he took passage from London on the sailing vessel
"Yorktown," arriving at New York May ist following. After working
four months in that city he went to New Brunswick, New Jersey, where,
on October 3, 1853, he married Catherine Sattler, also a native of Ger-
many. John Sattler's father came to America in 1854 and located at New
Brunswick, New Jersey, where he remained until 1855, when he came to
Clinton county, Indiana, and in 1857 to Tippecanoe county, where he fol-
lowed farming successfully until his death, January 10. 1870, his widow
surviving until April 23, 1875. John Sattler followed his father to Indiana
in April, 1856, settling in Lafayette, and soon thereafter began working
at his trade for Clark & Fitzpatrick, an old and extensive tailoring firm, with
whom he remained for two years, when the firm failed, after which he
worked as a journeyman until 1866. In August of that year the firm
of Sattler & Nehing was established and in February, 1870, Mr. Sattler
purchased the interest of Mr. Nehing. On April i, 1889, he admitted his
son George H. as partner, and the firm was then changed to Sattler & Son.
Ten years later Ferdinand C. Sattler, brother of George H., was taken into
the firm and the name was changed to the Sattler Sons Company. Three
years later Ferdinand went to Milwaukee where he entered the tailoring-
business, leaving his father and brother to manage the firm at Lafayette.
In 1895, John Sattler's first wife was called to her rest, and Mr. Sattler
again married, his second wedding occurring in June, 1896, to Mrs. Minnie
872 PAST AND PRESENT
Lang, who sur\ives him. Jolm Sattler was summoned fn.im his earthly
labors on April 24, 1907. To :\Ir. and IMrs. John Sattler the following
children were born: John P.: ]\Irs. ^latt Schnaible; George H. ; William
v.; Ferdinand, of ^Milwaukee ; Emil A., of Akron, Ohio; and Mrs. Ernest T.
Hahn. of Chicago.
]\Ir. Sattler was one of the leading members of the German Lutheran
church — in fact, he was truly a pillar of the church, having been identified
with the official life of the same from the time he came to Lafayette until
his death, and had he lived until June, 1907, he would have rounded out a
half century of service in this church as elder. He had been treasurer of
this church since 1872. He was one of the founders of the Citizens' Build-
ing and Loan Association, having been president of the same at the time
of his death. In 1880 he was elected a member of the board of water- works
trustees and he served in that capacity for a period of six years, acting
as president of the board. He also served four years as a member of the
county board of tax re\"iewers. In politics he was a Democrat.
Mr. Sattler was a stockholder in the First National Bank, also a stock-
holder in the Sterling Electric Works. He w'as vice-president of the John-
son Hardware Company at the time of his death, and he had an interest
in the Matt Schnaible Grain Company, also the Shadeland Grain Company.
He was a recognized expert in judging the \-alue of real estate — in fact,
an all-around, progressive business man.
John Sattler was recognized by all as a splendid type of citizen, and he
occupied an enviable position in the commercial circles of Lafayette. His
integrity was never questioned, everybody having confidence in his honesty.
Besides being the very soul of honor, he was a polite and polished gentleman,
a conscientious and upright man. He had a pleasant disposition and was
always affable and agreeable. In business circles his word was regarded as
good as his bond, and everyone had confidence in his judgment, his advice
being often sought on all questions, and he assisted many in this way, being
frank in giving advice or in expressing his opinion on any subject. His
death was a great loss to the community where he had long been regarded
as a leader.
AARON WALLACE.
The superintendent of the Tippecanoe county infirmary. Aaron Wallace,
is one of those capable and genial men that it is a pleasure to know. His
disposition is iinifonnly sunny and according to those who know him best
vo more competent man could be found for the place he fills.
CU^lA
4fUU3t
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 873
Mr. Wallace first saw the light of day in Jackson township, Tippecanoe
county, Indiana, on February 13, 1852. He is the son of Hugh and Jane
(^Brooks) \\'allace. both natives of the Emerald Isle, the country that has
sent such a vast army of acti\-e and intelligent citizens to America
who have played a very conspicuous part in the dexelopment of the same from
a very early day. The date of Hugh Wallace's birth was 1S19. He married
Jane Brooks in their native country and a few years afterward, hearing of the
larger advantages in the New World, they decided to bring their two children
here. But being limited in means they did not have sufficient money to pay
their passage ; however, they bound themselves to pay the rec^uired sum. The
father immediately sought work upon his arrival in this country, his principal
thought being to pay for his passage. He found employment for the small
sum of fifty cents per day, and by economy saved enough out of this sum
to pay for the passage of himself and family. He later began life as a farmer,
and, through frugality and perseverance, he in time became prosperous. Be-
lieving that the West ofifered greater opportunities, he came to Tippecanoe
county, Indiana, purchasing land in Jackson township, becoming the owner
of three hundred acres of as fine land as could be found in the township, ?aA
he spent the latter years of his life in comfort and affluence. He is remem-
bered as a very devout man, a great reader of the Bible and an active member
of the Methodist church. In politics, he was a Republican. As the father
of eleven children, he realized that it was his duty to rear them in the fear
and admonition of the Lord, and their subsequent upright lives stand as a
monument to this realization of duty. The names of his children who survive
are as follows: James F., a farmer of Jackson tow-nship; Elizabeth F., wife
of William Francis, of Ambia, Indiana ; Belle, wife of Charles Williamson,
of Texas, and Aaron, of this review.
Aaron Wallace, as already intimated, was reared on a farm in Jacksmi
township and early in life began assisting his father with the work about
the place, attending the neighboring schools during the winter months, but the
greater part of his time was taken up with farm work. He remained under
the parental roof until he reached his majority, then rented a part of the home
farm, and he has since devoted his life principally to agricultural pursuits. He
is the owner of two hundred acres of excellent land in Jackson township where
he has had a marked degree of success not only as a general farmer but also as
a stockraiser.
In 1873 Mr. Wallace married the lady of his choice. Bessie Montgomerv,
who was born in Brown county, Ohio, December 11, 1855. When sixteen
years of age she came to Indiana, but her parents never left Ohio. Air. and
874 PAST AND PRESENT
Mrs. Wallace remained on their farm in Jackson township until 1904 when
Mr. Wallace was the unanimous choice of the county commissioners for super-
intendent of the county infirmary, a position which he seems to be qualified by
nature to serve, but his success in the management of the institution is due in
no small measure to the assistance of Mrs. Wallace. Since they took charge
of the infirmary many valuable and needed improvements have been made.
The building is well supplied with artificial water power, which cap be brought
into play in case of fire. It was through the earnestness of Mr. Wallace that
the county council was prevailed upon to make the appropriation. The coun-
ty is greatly indebted to Mr. Wallace for his action in this matter, as in many
other things pertaining to the infinnary. He has the good will of all the
inmates on the farm.
]\Ir. and Mrs. Wallace are the parents of three children, namely : Arthur,
born December 25, 1874, married Daisy Stover, and they now reside in
Waynetown, Indiana; James A., born April 22, 1876, married Cretie Snyder;
one daughter of the subject and wife died in infancy.
Both Mr. Wallace and his son, James, are members of Shawnee Lodge,
No. 129, Masonic fraternity, being members of the Scottish rite, thirty-second
degree. Aaron Wallace is also a member of the blue lodge, the grand lodge,
Perfection Council of Princes of Jerusalem ; the chapter of Rose Croix ; also
the consistory of Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret and the Ancient Arabic
Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to the New Richmond
Lodge, No. 288, Knights of Pythias.
AARON VAN NATTA.
Although belonging to a generation that has passed and he himself now
numbered with the great tnajority that sleep the sleep of the just, the good
accomplished in Tippecanoe county by Aaron Van Natta has not perished,
but, like other great lives that have been transmitted to broader fields of
action, has left behind an influence that will long dominate those whom it
touched. He was born in Highland county, Ohio, Januar\- 7, 1822, of ster-
ling pioneer parents. For a full history of his ancestry the reader is re-
ferred to the sketch of John H. Van Natta, elsewhere in this work.
After spending his boyhood days in much the same manner as other
contemporaneous youths. Mr. Van Natta entered Asbury University upon
reaching manhood, where he made a splendid record for scholarship, having
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 8/5
been a diligent student and a close observer. After leaving tbe university
he gratified a desire of long standing by beginning the study of law, and, in
March, 1846, began practicing at Williamsport, Indiana, in partnership with
a lawyer named Gregory. The future was encouraging and on March 4,
1846, he took a helpmeet in the person of Rhoda A. Clark, of Williams-
port. To this union one child was born, a daughter whom they named Sallie,
who died August 30, 1873, ^^ the age of seven years. Mrs. Van Natta died
in 1866, soon after the birth of her child. Within a short time after his
marriage, Mr. Van Natta's health began to fail so that he was compelled to
abandon the practice of law and went to farming. He located in Tippe-
canoe county, not far from Otterbein, and there engaged in agricultural pur-
suits until 1856, in which year, having regained his former physical vigor,
he moved to Montmorenci and took up general merchandising, retaining his
farm, but merely overseeing it in a general way. Becoming prominent
in local political affairs, he was appointed postmaster of Montmorenci, which
office he held with satisfaction and credit for a period of twenty years. He
also engaged in the real estate business there together with his other nu-
merous interests, making a success of whatever he turned his attention to. con-
tinuing thus the remainder of his life. His career as a lawyer started out
auspiciously and had he continued in the practice he would doubtless have
reached a high pinnacle of success, but as a business man he attained not
only a high rank, winning a liberal competency through his judicious man-
agement and conscientious dealing with his fellowmen. but he was public
spirited and did more to stimulate progress in a general way in his com-
munity than any other man, for always in looking after his own interests
he never neglected his duty to his neighbors and fellow citizens.
On February 28, 1867, Mr. Van Natta was married to Mrs Margaret
E. Shigley, widow of James A. Shigley, a man who descended from an old
and very prominent family of this county. Mrs. Van Natta's maiden name
was Margaret E. Moore. She was the daughter of Thomas Maxwell and
Nancy (McCrea) Moore, and her birth occurred at Montmorenci, February
4, 1843. Thomas Maxwell Moore was one of three brothers, the oldest of
whom was Henry Hudson Moore and Joseph was the youngest. They
were the sons of Lieut. Thomas Moore, who was born August 29, 1748. at
Hatfield, Hartfordshire, England, the son of Henry and Hannah Moore.
On July 2, 1783, he was commissioned lieutenant by General Carleton in
the British army, and after the war against the American colonists he was
given land in Canada for his services in behalf of his own countrv. He
located at Kingston, Canada, where he continued to make his home. He
8/6 PAST AND PRESENT
married Elizabeth Maxwell in 1784, and his death occurred November 6,
1805. Henry ]\Ioore was born in Kingston, Canada, August 30, 1785, and
four years later the family moved to the state of Kentucky. In 1810 Henry
Aloore married Sallie Brightman, and in the same year the entire family
moved to Washington county, Indiana. The following year Henry !Moore
joined Gen. William Henry Harrison's army that moved against the In-
dians in the Wabash valley, and he fought in the famous battle of Tippe-
canoe, November 7, 181 1. In 1830 he entered land in Tippecanoe county
near the present site of Montmorenci, and after a very successful life as an
agriculturist, becoming one of the most influential of the pioneers in this
state, he passed to his reward on October 14, 1855. His wife, Sallie Bright-
man, was torn July 16, 1783, in Rhode Island, and her death occurred
IVIarch 8, 1852. To Henry ;\Ioore and wife two sons and one daughter
were born.
Thomas ^laxwell I\Ioore, father of ]Mrs. Van Natta, was born Decem-
ber I, 1 791, in \\'estmoreland county, Pennsylvania, where the family tarried
while on its way from Canada to Kentucky. He, too, enlisted in General
Harrison's army, but with eight or ten other men he was detailed to guard
boats at the mouth of the Big Vermillion river at the convergence of the
A^■abash. a blockhouse having been erected there. After the battle of Tippe-
canoe he helped bury the dead soldiers, then returned with the army to Fort
^'incennes. On August 15, 1822, he married Sarah Wayman, of Salem,
Indiana, and to this union five children were born. In 1830 he moved to
Tippecanoe county and entered land where the greater portion of Mont-
morenci is now located. His wife died x\ugust 22, 1833, and on September
23, 1834, he married Nancy (McCrea) Musselman, a widow. To this
marriage eight children were born, of w'hom only two now survive, ^Irs.
Aaron \"an Natta and ]\Irs. Julia A. Carr, who now lives in \\"est Lafay-
ette. One son by the first marriage is living at Zion City, near Chicago.
This son is William Maxwell Moore. After an eminently active and useful
life, honorably lived, Thomas Maxwell Moore closed his eyes on earthly
scenes September 27, 1866. His wife, Nancy (McCrea) Moore, was born
May 19, 1808, in Berkeley county, Virginia, and her death occurred Sep-
tember 26, 1866, just about twenty- four hours before her husband passed
away.
Joseph Moore, the youngest brother, was born December 25, 1797, near
Louisville, Kentucky. He married Ann Boyd, and he came to Tippecanoe
county, Indiana, in 1830, entering land adjoining that of his brother. His
death occurred October 19, 1843. Surxiving him were four children and his
widow, w-ho died April 7, 1866.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 877
To Aaron A'an Xatta's second marriaoe two daughters and one son
were born, namely : Laura, who married Henry Marshall ; INIargaret, who
married Dr. E. S. Baker; John Wilson A'an Natta, who died February 24,
1879. when not quite four years of age.
Jn January, 1889, Mr. Van Natta's health began to fail and he retired
from active business. He continued to decline and he was summoned from
his earthly labors on July i, 1889, having won the high esteem of all who
knew him for his exemplary, useful and noble life.
On October 2, 1891, Mrs. Van Natta purchased a beautiful home on
South Ninth street, Lafayette, whither she soon moved. She now resides
with her daughter, ]\Irs. Doctor Baker. She is a woman of culture, well
educated, afif;ible and she has a wide circle of warm friends wherever she
has lived.
JAMES BEE WALLACE.
Anv compendium of Tippecanoe county's honored dead would be in-
complete without due reference to the life and character of the late James
Bee Wallace, who was long a prominent citizen here, spending a life of
earnest endeavor and usefulness, and because of his genial disposition, ster-
ling worth and uprightness he gained and retained to the end a host of friends,
throughout the county. He was a sturdy representative of the land of heath
and heather, the name W^allace having been distinguished in Scotland for
many centuries. The birth of James B. Wallace occurred in a suburb of
Edinburgh, Scotland, November 8, 1843. He was the son of Adam and
Rosena \\'allace. When James B. was eight years of age he accompanied
his parents to America, and settled in Cincinnati, Ohio. Their family con-
sisted of seven sons and two daughters, four of the eldest sons having pre-
ceded the family to America. Of the sons were James B., of this review,
and William, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. While the boys
were young, their father died and their opportunities to attend school were
limited. James B. went to work at an early age, serving as an apprentice in
a plumbing establishment. He learned the business and made it his life
work.
At the outbreak of the Civil war, Adam Wallace, although then over
sixty years of age, tendered his services to the L^nion. His son James B..
although then less than eighteen years of age, was a strong, robust lad, and
he prevailed upon the military authorities to release his father and take him
instead. This thev did. but the fatlier. not content to stand idlv bv while
878 PAST AND PRESENT
his adopted country was in dire peril, re-enlisted and served through the
war, from which he emerged broken in health. James B. Wallace enlisted
in Company B, Second Missouri Cavalry, on August 16, 1861 ; this troop
was known as Merrill's Horse. He served in that command until July 20,
1865, when he was mustered out with the rank of sergeant, having made an
excellent record as a gallant soldier in many arduous campaigns. He was
at the battle of Wilson's creek, near Springfield, Missouri, when General
Lyon, of the Union army, was killed, and was in many other perilous situ-
ations. He rode through the war without receiving a wound and came out
with a record that was a credit to any man that served in the Union army.
After being mustered out, Mr. Wallace came to Lafayette, Lidiana, and
engaged in the plumbing business with his brother, William Wallace, with
whom he was continuously associated until his death. He was made general
manager of the company, which position he held at the time of his death.
They succeeded in building up quite an extensive business and enjoyed an
excellent income from the same, very largely owing to the sound business
judgment displayed in its management by the subject. In the sketch of Wil-
liam Wallace, in this work, the reader will find a full description of this
large concern and the history of the same, also an account of the many large
public works they handled.
December 28, 1870, James B. Wallace was married to Belle Wilson, of
Cincinnati, a sister of Mrs. William W^allace and the representative of an
old and influential family. To this union si.\ children were born, of whom
one daughter died in infancy. Those living are Jennie, Katherine, Jessie,
Grace and George.
In February, 1895, Mr. Wallace was appointed for the short term of
one year as a trustee of the State Soldiers' Home by Governor Matthews.
being a member of the first board which supervised the construction of the
buildings. He served also as its first treasurer. He was re-appointed to this
position in February, 1896, for a term of three years, but in November,
1897, he resigned because of failing health. He performed well his duties in
this institution and won the appro\-al of all concerned. He was one of the
stanchest members of the First Baptist church, and he always had its wel-
fare at heart, taking an active interest in church affairs. He is remembered
as a man who was industrious and faithful in all the walks of life and he
was stanch and true to his friends. He was honorable and upright in all
his dealings, and was affectionate and indulgent to his family. It is safe to
say that no man was more highly respected by his fellows or more warmly
loved bv his friends.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 879
"This good man and just," speaking in terms of holy writ, passed to
his reward in the great beyond on April 17, 1903. In the public press it was
said at that time that every citizen of Lafayette and vicinity felt that in his
death the citv had sustained the loss of a man whose influence would be
felt for years to come, and whose name would be cherished as one of the
best men this city has ever known.
Mr. Wallace was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows
from 1868 until his death. He was also a Scottish-rite Mason and a mem-
ber of the Improved Order of Red Men. He belonged to the Union Vet-
eran Legion and the Grand Army of the Republic.
]\Ir. \Vallace's entire family resides in Lafayette. George is manager
of the W'allace Brothers Plumbing & Heating Company, filling the place
made vacant by the tleath of his father, the business being located in the
Wallace block, erected by the Wallace brothers. He married Maud Mur-
doch, daughter of Fred Murdoch, whose sketch is found on another page
of this work. He is a modern business man of excellent standing in all
circles, having inherited something of the Wallace characteristics of in-
tegrity and business acumen. The Wallace family has long been held in
high favor in this county, being one of the leading and most influential
families of this localitv.
ALEXANDER BRINEY.
The ancestors of the late Alexander Briney were good old pioneer
stock and the name has been a familiar one in both Fountain and Tippecanoe
counties, the subject having been born in the former on May 2, 1845. He
is the son of William and Ellen Briney, who spent their lives developing a
farm from the primitive conditions of the early days in the Hoosier state.
Their family consisted of four children, three sons and one daughter, of
whom Alexander was the youngest in order of birth. He had a brother
in the L^nion army during the Civil war.
.-Mexander Briney spent his youth much like other children of the early
days, working on the home farm and attending the district schools. When
he reached maturity he married, on January 9, 1868. Frances M. Foster,
and this union resulted in the birth of two 'children, both girls, the oldest
dying in infancy. Ida E. Briney was born September 26, 1873, near Attica,
Indiana, and after receiving a fairly good education in the county and citv
schools she married .Mfred P. Randolph, September 26, 1895. ^f''- R^""
SOO PAST AND PRESENT
dolph was born in Xewberg'. Cum1)erlan;l county. Pennsylvania. Xovemljer
i8. 1869. His parents were .\lexander and Mary Randolph, the former
born in Pennsylvania, the latter in Cass county, Indiana. For seven }ears
prior to his death, Alexander R?.ndolph was bailiff of the superior court.
He died May 12, 1909, in Lafayette, Indiana. His widow, Alary Ellen
(Sharp) Randolph, lives at 1604 Center street, that city. They were the
parents of four sons, William E.. deceased; Edward D., an attorney: J. S.
and Alfred P. Hazel Reams, now ten years old, is a relative of the Ran-
dolphs and is making her heme with ]Mr. and Mrs. Alfred P. Randolph in
Lafayette. Alfred P. and J. S. Randolph are engaged in the coal lousiness,
their extensive yards being located at Main street and the Belt railroad. The
death of Alexander Briney occurred October 22. 1875, in Attica, Indiana,
when thirty years old.
March 27, 1879, Mrs. Alexander Briney was married to Peter Jones at
Attica, Indiana. Mr. Jones died ]\Iarch 17, 1904, at the old home farm
near Attica. He was a Mason for nearly fifty years. His widow, a woman
of many fine personal characteristics and who enjoys the friendship of all
who know her, is a member of the Presbvterian church.
LEWIS X. JESTER.
The Jesters were a Pennsylvania famil}- which sent representatives to
the west when the pioneer mn\-ement was in full tide. The first comers se-
cured land in the celebrated \\'ea l)i ttoms, Tippecanoe county, when it was
not worth so much as it is now by something like several thousand per cent.
Alexander, a son of the first settler, was a native of Pennsylvania and only
a small boy when his parents located in Tippecanoe county. At the outbreak
of the Civil war he enlisted in a company of the Eighty-sixth Regiment In-
diana Volunteer Infantry, died at Somerset, Kentucky, and is buried in the
Xational cemetery at that place. In early manhood he married Rachel Kyle,
by whom he had ten children, only six of them nmv living. These are Samuel
D., of Hot Springs, Arkansas; Julius C. with the Taylor Lumber Company
of Lafavette; Leander R., (f St. Louis. Missouri; Emma, of Pueblo. Colo-
rado; Mary .\. E., of Tippecanoe county.
Lewis X. Jester, who makes out the six, was born in \\"ea township.
Tippecanoe county, Indiana, February t, 1849. He has devoted practically
his whole life to farming, is fund, ri bis calling and has made a success of
it. He went through the district scIkmiI. was ;i student one year at I'nion
LEWIS N. JESTER
MRS. LEWIS N. JESTER
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND.
88i
Christian College and taught for three years in the common schools of Tippe-
canoe county. Aside from this slight diversion, all his time has been de-
voted to agricultural pursuits and he has something to show for his life's
endeavor. He owns two hundred and nineteen acres of fine land in section 13,
Washington township, every foot of which he made by his own hard labor,
and in addition he owns one hundred and sixty acres in IMorton county, Kan-
sas. During the last eight years, Mr. Jester has been interested in fine horses
and owns two valuable specimens of Belgian and Percheron.
July 30, 1874, Mr. Jester married Margaretta E. Schnepp, who was born
May 17, 1857, and to this union were born four children: Sereno, June 13,
1875; Argo, born July 16, 1878, died July 2, 1880; Eauro, July 28, 1881;
Otto, born February 19, 1884, died August 23, 1884. The mother died June
19, 1884, and Mr. Jester married, November 26, 1889, Julia B. Maute. Her
father, Gotlieb Maute, born in Germany, was married to a Miss Gainor, at
Allentown, Pennsylvania, and settled on a farm in Carroll county, Indiana.
Mr. and Mrs. Jester have two children living: Yeauro, born July 9, 1891 ;
Elmo (deceased), born in November, 1896, and Roy Verno, born July 29,
1899. Mr. Jester is a meml^er of the Christian church, while his wife affiliates
with the Evangelical Lutheran at Colburn. Mr. Jester is a Republican in
politics and a memlier of Delphi Lodge, No. 28, Independent Order of Odd
Fellows.
FREDERICK MURDOCK.
The history of a county or state as well as that of a nation is chiefly
a chronicle of the lives and deeds of those who have conferred honor and
dignity upon society. The world judges the character of a community by
those of its representative citizens and yields its tribute of admiration and
respect to those whose works and actions constitute the record of a locality's
prosperity and pride. Among the prominent citizens who were well known
in Tippecanoe county during a former generation because of their success
in private business affairs as well as the part they played in public life, was
Frederick Murdock, late of the city of Lafayette, but whose eminently worthy
and interesting career has been terminated by the fate that awaits all human-
ity, and he has been transplanted to broader fields and higher planes of action
in the great beyond, leaving behind him the untarnished escutcheon of an
old and highly honored name and a record of which any communitv might
well be proud.
(56)
882 PAST AND PRESENT
Tlie family from whicli Frederick Murdock descended was conspicuous
in tlie Hoosier state during the early pioneer days. John Alurdock. grand-
father of the subject, was born in the famous town of Alonmouth, Xew
Jersey; he was the son of William 2\Iurdock, of Irish descent. When a
young man John Murdock migrated to Ohio, where he married Rebecca Little,
a daughter of Cornelius Little, who was one of the early settlers of Butler
county, Ohio. To ]\lr. and Mrs. John Murdock five children were born, namley :
Susan. William T., Catherine, John D. and Rebecca. The mother was acci-
dentally drowned, together with her infant child, during a freshet, while at-
tempting to ford Mill creek in a two-horse wagon. The father subsequently
married Jane Sterling, and they became the parents of ten children, namely:
Amanda, James. Ephraim. Jane, Anna, Mary, JvLartha, Elizabeth, Emily and
Ellen.
In I Si 9 John Murdock came to Indiana and located in Wajne county,
where he followed agricultural pursuits until the fall of 1827, when he moved
tt> Ti])pecanoe county. Being so favorably impressed with the fertile prairie
land here, he abandoned his partly improved farm in Wayne county. He
leased lands at High Gap, then in Wayne township, and later entered one
hundred and si.xt}' acres of land from the government in section 8. \\"ayne
township. This he soon placed under a high state of improvement and
established a good home here, where he remained until his death, in 1842,
at the age of iifty-seven years. He prospered and became one of the leading
citizens of his township.
William T. Murdock. father of Frederick Alurdock of this review, and
son of John Murdock, was born in Butler county, Ohio, September 18, tSii.
He came with his father's family to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, being then
eighteen years of age. He remained a member of the family circle until his
marriage, June 5, 1834, to Sarah Hoover, a daughter of Frederick and Cath-
erine (Yount) Hoover, both of German parentage, who moved from Guilford
county, North Carolina, to Warren county, Ohio, in what hist(M"ians call "an
early day." This family moved to Wayne county, Indiana, in 1807, where
Mr«. Murdock (nee Hoover) was born, August 16, 181 1, and subsecpiently
the family came to Tippecanoe county, this state, where Sarah married ]Mr.
Murdock. The Hoovers were members of the society of Friends. Mr. and
Mrs. Murdock celebrated their golden wedding on June 5, 1884, at the
residence where they resided for over fifty years. The following interesting-
sketch, read bv a member of the family on that occasion, is typical of the
times to which it referred: "\\'ithin easy sight of this, their well appointed
hiime, just across vonder hill where woodland glade and Wea Plain so
TIPPECANOE COUNTYj IND. 883
gracefully meet, there the country beau and Quaker belle met and loved, and
were wed. That wedding, however, was not a carnival of dress. The
wedding cortege was not by any means 'imposing.' No train of merry at-
tendants enlivened the way of the wedding party, but they two, alone, rudely
mounted on horseback, constituted the entire company. They sought out a
neighboring 'squire, who. with most adhesive ceremony, joined together the
two willing souls in wedlock's holy bonds which have held stout and strong
for fifty solid years, and the tie seems to have grown better and si outer and
stronger with age and wear. They began life in real earnest at the right
place — the very beginning. For two years they rented land in Tippecanoe
county, this state, and entered one hundred and sixty acres of land from the
gox'ernment, where he cleared and improved in part, when he sold the same
and returned to Tippecanoe comity and bought eighty acres of land adjoining
his father's in Wayne township. From 1833 to 1835, inclusive, with heavy
road wagon and plodding ox-team he hauled through mud and bog load
after load of corn and oats to the young burg of Chicago, bringing back in
exchange load after load of barrel salt which he disposed of at a profit. The
honest margins from these transactions he invested in farm lands on the Wea
Plains, to which he added from time to time until he finally became the
owner of one thousand and ten acres. Their success in life has been satis-
factory indeed, having acquired a valuable estate, ncn- was their success
confined to monetary gains alone. They enjoy others of which they may
be justly proud, — three sturdy sons and two lo\'ing daughters have grown
up to respected manhood and womanhood around them. Those li\'ing are
Frederick, James, William H., Catherine Kirtley and Sarah A. Crockett. It
has been their sad lot, however, to bury two other of their loved ones ; John
dj'ing when seventeen years of age, and the other in infancy. INIr. and Mrs.
Murdock are not only the oldest but the only pioneer couple who were married
in Wayne township, now living, who reside there."
William T. Murdock was not oblivious to the interests and welfare of
others, or the public good. Fie was many times honored by his fellow citizens
with nominations to high positions of trust and profit, and without exception,
when he was called to fill the place, he never failed to honor the office and tn
do credit to himself and his friends. For nine successive years he served his
county as one of her most worthy and irreproachable commissioners, and one
of her very best financiers,' succeeding which for eight years he filled the
ofiice of trustee, the unsolicited gift of his township, in a manner more
economical and profitable to the public school patrons than any administra-
tion enjoyed by them for many years, either liefore or since. The estates
C504 PAST AND PRESENT
of the deceased and the sacred moneys of the fatherless and the widowed
were placed, wholly unsought, in his faithful and judicious hands for final
settlement or safe keeping. No less than fifty-six estates and guardianships
were ably administered by him, all satisfactorily adjusted in the courts of
equity and law. Thus the confidence placed in him by his friends and ac-
quaintances must have been very great. He was always a Democrat.
This good man was called upon to settle his accounts w'ith this world
and to close his eyes on earthly scenes, October 2, 1889, at the age of seventy-
eight years. His widow survived him until March, 1901, when she passed
to her reward at the home of her eldest son, Frederick Murdock, in Lafaj'-
ette. in the ninety-first year of her age, having retained all her faculties until
the last. She is remembered as a loving mother and always contributed to
the home a remarkable element of brightness and serenity and she trained
her family in the most wholesome environment. She was always sprightly
in disposition, and those in her presence always felt encouraged and their
burdens lightened. Both she and her honored husband were faithful mem-
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church.
It is no wonder that the descendants of such people of worth should
distinguish themselves in various walks of life. Of these, their son, Fred-
erick Murdock, is deserving of special notice. He was born in Wayne town-
ship, Tippecanoe county, Indiana, December 14, 1836, being the oldest son
in the family of William T. Murdock and wife. In his childhood he attended
the district schools, later the Farmers' Institute at Danville, Illinois, also the
State Normal School at Terre Haute, Indiana. He remained on the home
farm which he assisted in developing until his marriage. November 7, 1861,
to Elizabeth Stewart, daughter of William and Amelia (King) Stewart, both
natives of Ohio. The latter was born in Butler county and when a child she
accompanied her parents, Henry King and wife, and located in Montgomery
county, Indiana, in the days when the wild prairies and great forests were
filled with Indians and wild beasts. William Stewart also came from his
native state, Ohio, with his parents to Indiana in the pioneer days. Mr. and
Mrs. William Stewart settled at Romney, Randolph township, this county,
about 1843, where they lived until Mr. Stewart's death, in October, 1854, at
the early age of thirty-seven years. His widow re-married and moved to
Waynetown, Montgomery county, and lived there until her death, February
4, 1872, aged forty-eight years. She was the mother of six children by her
first marriage and three by her second marriage.
To Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Murdock four children were born, namely :
Lillie Belle, born December, 1862, and died in Logansport while on a visit
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. b85
to her uncles, February 2, 1882, aged nineteen years; Flora was born March
13, 1863, married Walter E. Doolittle, of Lafayette, whose sketch appears
elsewhere in this work; William F. was born September 11, 1872: Maud,
born October 11, 1879.
After his marriage Mr. Murdock located on a farm of one hundred and
sixty-eight acres in Benton county, on the Mudpine, and along the road lead-
ing to Parish Grove and Oxford. At that time this farm, which was given
him by his father, was valued at three thousand dollars. He had no market
for his grain and other products and there was no railroad in the county at
that time, so he turned his attention principally to stock raising. Being a
keen observer and a good judge of livestock, he made a great success of this
industry, having cleared the sum of thirty-five hundred dollars on one herd of
two-year-olds. But desiring to return to Tippecanoe county, on December 6,
1865, he purchased a farm of two hundred and forty acres of Joseph N.
Taylor located in section 5 ; it was partly improved, and was as rich land as
\^^ayne township afforded. He moved to this place in February, 1866. pay-
ing the sum of four thousand dollars cash for the farm, leaving a balance
unpaid of eight thousand six hundred dollars, for which he gave his notes
payable in one, two and three years at six per cent, interest with mortgage
security. He was a man of undaunted determination and courage, and, by
close application to his work and the exercise of good judgment, he paid the
balance on his new farm in due time, in the meantime disposing of the farm
in Benton county. Success attended his every effort, and in 1870 he erected
a beautiful and commodious brick residence, which was then considered the
best in Wayne township, and he also erected substantial outbuildings and
improved liis place in many ways, making it one of the model farms of the
county at that time. He added one hundred and eighty-three acres to his
original purchase. He took a great deal of interest in his fine farm and the
manner in which he managed his crops indicated that he was fully abreast of
the times in all matters pertaining to agriculture. His fortune was acquired
not by the assistance of any outside forces, or by the generosity of relatives or
friends, but by prudent management and close application to his individual
affairs. Much of his success, however, was due to the sound counsel, sympa-
thy and encouragement of his wife, who is a woman of unusual business
acumen and foresight, who has ever managed her affairs with great success
and in a manner that excited the admiration of her friends and neightors.
Later in life Mr. Murdock rented all his farming lands except his home
place, to which he gave his close attention.
Li 1876 Mr. Murdock visited Philadelphia, by way of Washington
OOO PAST AND PRESENT
City and Baltimore and returned home by way of New York city, up the
Hudson to Albany, thence to Buffalo and Niagara Falls. In 1886 he made
a trip through Kansas, accompanied by his aged father and mother, who
visited their sisters, Airs. William L. Brown, of Sterling, and Mrs. Catherine
Tullis, of Great Bend. His parents made their home with him for some time,
and he did everything possible for their comfort and enjoyment. He re-
mained on his farm in Wayne township until about 1890, when he purchased
a farm of one hundred and sixty acres from his brother, William H. Mur-
dock. He thus became the owner of eight hundred and forty acres of land, all
in Wayne township, owning three-fourths of a section, besides his original
two hundred and forty acres on which his son resided for some time. In
November, 1896, Mr. Murdock rented out all his farms and moved to Lafay-
ette into a new home which he had erected on Owen street, and here he
resided until his death, which occurred June 4, 1905. His health had begun
to fail in the preceding winter, and he went to St. Petersburg, Florida, in
order to reap the benefits of a more temperate climate, and when warm
weather came he returned to Lafayette, but he grew worse to the inevitable
end.
In March, 1906, Airs. Murdock sold their Owen street home, having
built a modern, beautiful and commodious residence at No. 726 South Ninth
street where she now resides and which is frequently the mecca for Lafay-
ette's best society, who always find here a hearty welcome of the old-time
flavor and good will prevailing, Mrs. Murdock being a woman of cuhure
and refinement, a good conversationalist, and she has hosts of friends.
William F. Murdock, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Murdock, was
born in Wayne township on his father's farm, Septeml^er 11, 1872. He
was married on April 26, 1899. to Grace Buschman, daughter of Augustus
and Emma Buschman, and to this union one daughter, Jane Stewart Alur-
dock, was born. In the fall of 1904 William F. Murdock built a' handsome
home on the northeast corner of Ninth and Elliott streets, where he now
resides. He devotes his time to superintending the Murdock farms in Wayne
township. He attended Wabash College, and is a member of the Sigma Chi
fraternity. He is a young man of pronounced business ability.
Maude Murdock married George B. Wallace, manager of the Wallace
Brothers Plumbing Company, the son of the late James B. \\"allace, a former
prominent and highly esteemed citizen of Lafayette, a full sketch of whom
appears elsewhere in this work.
Frederick Murdock is remembered as a man nf strict integrity, fair
and honorable in all his ilealings with his tellowmen. his work having been
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 887
considered as good as his bond. During his father's Hfetime he made it a rule
to consult with him regarding all important business transactions, thus winni'.-^:
the elder Murdock's confidence and naturally gaining much of his sagacity
in business affairs. In his many business transactions with his father, he
invariably endeavored to make his word good, just as though he was dealing
with a stranger. He never contracted a debt unless he felt confident that
he could pay it, and in thus meeting promptly all obligations he won the un-
divided confidence of all who knew him. He always gave his aid and influence
to enterprises for the public good. By his kindness and courtesy he won an
abiding place in the esteem of his fellow citizens, and by his intelligence
energy and enterprising spirit made his influence felt among his friends and
associates, and no man has lived in Tippecanoe county who was regarded
with any higher respect and admiration for his well ordered Ife.
W. E. DOOLITTLE.
The Sterling Electric Company is one of the largest and best institutions
in Lafayette and is known as one of the largest and best electrical manu-
facturing concerns. The company was incorporated under the laws of the
state of Illinois in the year 1898, and was located in Chicago, the original
incori)orators being W. E. Doolittle and Frank B. Cook. The growth of the
company was rapid from the start. To escape labor troubles and to increase
their capacity, the company was reorganized, enlarged and moved to Lafay-
ette in the latter part of the year 1899, employing at that time seventy-five
hands. Their original plant consisted of thirty thousand square feet of floor
space, which they have increased to about one hundred and twenty-five thou-
sand square feet, owing to the constant growth ni the business. When work-
ing to their full capacity, they employ something over five hundre! hands.
The company is capitalized at three hundred thousand dollars. It is prac-
tically a Lafayette institution, the greater portion of the stock being owned
locally. It is officereil as follows : W. E. Doolittle, president and treasurer :
J. Berlovitz, vice-president: H. T. Doolittle, secretary. The directory com-
prises the officers, together with William Wallace, John B. \\'agner. Brown
Brockenbrough, Thomas Duncan, Thomas Bauer and R. B. Wallace.
The equipment of the Sterling Electric Company is strictlv modern, all
machinery being electrically driven and consists of standard and special ma-
chinery necessary for working in metals, rubber and fibre: it is also e(|uipped
with a complete woodworking plant, enameling plant and plating jjlant. The
666 PAST AND PRESENT
line of goods manufactured by this corporation are telephones of all descrip-
tions, protective devices for use in telephone service, complete exchange
equipment for equipping of telephone central offices, police and fire alarm
boxes, automatic fire protection devices, for use in connection with sprinkled
insurance risk, special electrical devices for the United States signal corps,
three-slot coin pay stations for telephone work, spark coils for use with gas
engines, motor boats and automobiles and complete ignition systems consist-
ing of magnetos, distributers and timers for automobile or gas engine work.
The company is in a flourishing and prosperous condition and is recognized
throughout the country as the leader in its own specific lines. It is an insti-
tution of which the citizens of Lafayette may well be proud.
W. E. Doolittle, the president of the Sterling Electric Company, was
one of the original incorporators and has been with the company since its
inception. A great deal of its success is due to his untiring ability. He is a
comparatively young man and was born and raised in Lafayette, commencing
his work as a messenger for the Western Union Telegraph Company. His
education was completed at Purdue University. He entered the services of
the Western L'nion Telegraph Company as an operator in his earlier years,
spending twelve years in the telegraph business in different parts of the
country with the different operating companies and six years with the differ-
ent telephone operating companies as mamger, his experience particularly
adapting him for the duties which he assumed later in life.
LEOPOLD DRYFUS.
The specific and distinctive office of biography is not to give voice to a
man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave
the perpetual record establishing his character by the consensus of opinion on
the part of his fellowmen. That great factor, the public, is a discriminating
factor, and yet takes cognizance not only of objective exaltation nor yet ob-
jective modesty, but delves deeper into the intrinsic essence of character,
strikes the keynote of individuality, and pronounces judicially and unequivocal-
ly upon the true worth of the man, invariably distinguishing the clear reson-
ance I if the true metal from the jarring dissonance of the baser. Thus in
touching on the life history of Leopold Dryfus the biographist would aim to
give utterance to no fulsome encomiums, to indulge in no extravagant praise;
yet would he wish to hold up for consideration those points which have shown
the distinction of a pure, true and useful life, — one characterized by indomit-
LEOPOLD DRYFUS
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. O69
able perseverance, broad charity, marked executive ability, high accomplish-
ments and well-earned honors. To do this will be but to reiterate the dictum
pronounced upon the man by his fellowmen.
Leopold Dryfus, one of the best known business men in the city of
Lafayette or this section of the great Hoosier commonwealth, belongs to that
large and thrifty class of Germans who have done so much for the upbuilding
of this and other American communities. The place of his nativity is the
Rhine country, Bavaria, where he first saw the light of day July 31, 1847.
He is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Lippman Dryfus, an old and well-established
family, who were the parents of ten children, of whom Leopold was the oldest.
He attended the schools of his native country until he was twelve years old
when he began his business career by buying and trafficking in calves, thus
early in life becoming an expert judge of livestock and laying the foundation
for a future business of great magnitude. He followed his first line of busi-
ness until he was nineteen years old. An uncle, Jacob Mayer, had come to the
United States and was established in the butcher business in Lafayette, In-
diana : he sent Leopold money to defray his expenses to this country. The
latter immediately embarked and came direct to Lafayette, landing here, after a
long ocean voyage and weary trip from the eastern coast, on May i, 1867, a
green gawk of a boy, wearing his trousers in his boot tops ; but he had that
innate business sagacity, shrewdness and perseverance that only needs oppor-
tunity for development. This being furnished by Mr. Mayer, the lonely Ger-
man youth was soon launched on his career, which has been a very strenuous
and interesting one. He continued in the employ of Mr. Mayer until 1870
when he was given a butcher shop on the corner of Ninth and Union streets
which he managed successfully for a time, then, having been economical and
careful in his business afifairs, he purchased the shop outright. However, his
uncle assisted him in a financial way to secure the shop, the firm being known
as Dryfus & Kurtz. In 1872 Mr. Dryfus purchased his partner's interest, then
sold one-half to James Sharp, the firm being known as Dryfus & Sharp, wliich
partnership continued until 1887. during which time a very thriving business
was done. Sharp retired, worth a million, and his interest was taken by
Ferdinand Dryfus. brother of Leopold, and the firm has since been known as
the Dryfus Packing and Provision Company. Leopold Dryfus being the
president and Ferdinand the general manager, the firm being incorporated
for fifty thousand dollars, being one of the largest concerns of its kind in this
part of the state. Its prestige has gradually and rapidly increased under care-
ful and judicious management, until its products are sold all over the country
«90 PAST AND PRESENT
and shipped in large quantities to Europe where it liolds equal rank with tlie
best exported meats from this country. The plant throughout is equipped
with the most modern appliances for carrying on a business of this nature,
everything is kept in a sanitary condition and under the most highly approved
system, and the plant would be a credit to any city.
Aside from this extensive institution, Mr. Dryfus has two retail shops,
each doing a thriving business. These were located down town in 1875 and
were successful from the first, a large retail trade being enjoyed with the
surrounding community. In 1876 Mr. Dryfus entered the pr(;vision business
under the name of William Horn & Company and was connected with Mr.
Horn until 1879, having enjoyed a liberal patronage in this line. ;\Ir. Dryfus
then bought out the packing house of H. T. Sample & Sons, having dissolved
partnership with Horn, and he has l^een conducting his present business ever
since.
Although the packing liusiness takes the major part of ]\Ir. Dryfus' time,
he has other interests which are not inconsiderate, being a stockholder and
director in the Merchants' National Bank, also the First National Bank at
Boswell, a stockholder and director in the Lafayette Telephone Coinpany.
He also owns a fine farm of one hundred and sixty-three acres, lying just
west of Purdue University which is well adapted for general farming and
stockraising, in each of which Mr. Dryfus manifests considerable interest,
often driving out to his well-improved and tastefully-kept place where he
finds rest and recreaticn amid the most wholesome rural environment. Mr.
Dryfus is also the owner of much real estate in Lafayette, including the Di-y-
fus Theatre on Columbia street, one of the neatest, most modern and attract-
ive play-houses in the West. This opera house was formerly known as the
Grand, but in 1909 Mr. Dryfus remodeled and reconstructed the entire build-
ing at an expenditure of fifty thousand dollars, the walls being all that re-
main of the former building. The new structure which Ijears his name will
stand as a mr:nument to the enterprising methods and progressive spirit which
have for many years been maintained by Mr. Dryfus to the great benefit of
his adopted city. He also owns the Lahr House Annex, one of the best
blocks in the city. The substantial bb ck at the foot of Alain street where
the Jamison Brothers have their place of business belongs to Mr. Dryfus.
He also owms the building known as the Jim Beard stables, also the Ewry
block on Columbia street, and a large number of dwelling houses. His home,
at Sixth and Cincinnati streets, is one of the finest and most attractive in the
state, imposing in architectural design, thoroughly modern in all its appoint-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 89 1
ments, elegantly furnished and surrounded by attractive and well-kept
grounds, and this home is known to the socinlly inclined of Lafayette r.s a
place where hospitality and good cheer ever prevail.
The domestic chapter in the life of Mr. Dryfus dates from the year 1874
when he was united in marriage with Mary Schwartz, who was born and
reared in New York city, the representative of an influential old family. She
was a woman of rare culture and refinement, of gracious personality, a most
genial hostess and a favorite in the social circles of Lafayette. Her beautiful
life was brought to a close in 1899, after she had become the mother of four
children, three of whom died in childhood. Carrie, the surviving daughter,
is the wife of Max Born, a young business man of exemplary character and
well worthy of his talented and affable wife. He is a son of Samuel Born, a
well-known pioneer business man of Lafayette. To Mr. and Mrs. Max Born
one winsome daughter. Marion Stella, was born in 1900. Mr. Born is head
bookkeeper and business manager of the Dryfus plant.
In 1893 Mr. Dryfus returned to his old home in Europe, wliere he spent
a very pleasant sojourn, remaining away from Lafayette forty-fi\-e days.
This was indeed a triumphal return to his boyhood's roof-tree, which he left
almost penniless and with a somewhat dark and uncertain future before him.
Li politics, Mr. Dryfus is independent. Being a careful observer of the
trend of events, he prefers to cast his ballot for the man rather than the
party. Fraternally, he has Ijeen a consistent member of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows since 1868. He is known as a man who is always
ready to do his part in furthering those measures which have for their object
the upbuilding of his city and county. He is idolized by his employes being
familiarly known to them as well as the community at large as "L'ncle."
Everyone in his employ receives good wages and courteous treatment, con-
sequentl}- they all work t<~i his interest and the utmost harmony prevails at
his extensive plant. Mr. Dryfus is considerate of the poor and min\- acts
of charity are attributed to him. Such acts are always prompted by a pure-
ly humanitarian impulse and through no desire of public display.
The eminent business talent of Mr. Dryfus seems composed of high
mental and moral nttributes, combined with sound judgment, breadth of ca-
pacity and rapidity of thought, justice and firmness, the fi resight to perceive
the drifting tides of business and the will and ability to control them. Ac-
cording to those who know him best he affords a striking exemplification of
ibis talc:it, in a very high cirder of devek.pment, of such character :;s to giin
him worthy prestige in business circles and a jx^sition of commanding in-
fluence.
PAST AND PRESENT
REV. SAMUEL WILSON ELLIOTT.
Tlie writer of biography, dealing with the personal history of men
engaged in the various affairs of every-day life, finds much pleasure in re-
cording something of the life and work of the average minister of the gospel,
a class of men who are doing so much in building up the moral and religious
interests of our country, interests which must ever constitute the foundation
of our national prosperity and perpetuity. In this class we are pleased to
include the Rev. Samuel W. Elliott, a minister of the Presbyterian church,
W'ho for many years has thus served his country and the cause of the Master,
doing faithful and successful work in the various fields of labor where he
was located.
The Rev. S. \V. Elliott was born near Dayton, Tippecanoe county, In-
diana, in 1844, the son of Samuel and Mary Ann (Wilson) Elliott, both
natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a descendant of Thomas Elliott, a
native of Enniskillen, in the northern part of Ireland, a descendant of the
famous Scotch Covenanters. When the Covenanters were driven out of
Scotland to Ireland, a number of the members of the Elliott family became
noted soldiers during those stormy times. Thomas Elliott came to America
in 1737 and settled in eastern Pennsylania. Some of the forefathers of Rev.
S. W. Elliott fought in the early wars during colonial times : one oi his great-
uncles was killed in the Indian wars.
Samuel Elliott, father of the subject, came from Pennsylvania to Indiana
in 1829 and settled six miles southeast of Lafayette where he entered land
and lived, near the close of hisi life, when he moved to Lafayette and spent
the remainder of his days in his home on State street. The mother's family,
the Wilsons, were also natives of Pennsylvania and were of Scotch-Irish de-
scent. Mary Ann Wilson came to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, about 1840
and was here married to Samuel Elliott.
Rev. S. W. Elliott lived on his father's farm until he entered Hanover
College, where he passed through the freshman and sophomore years. He
then entered Washington and Jefferson College in Pennsylvania from which
he graduated with a very creditable record in 1867. While at Hanover he
was a classmate of the noted Doctor \\'iley, chief chemist of the national
department of agriculture. During the war of the Rebellion both Reverend
Elliott and Doctor Wiley were members of Company I, One Hundred and
Thirty-seventh Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, ami they were mess-
mates and close companions during their service in the army. The Reverend
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 8^3
Elliott's older brother was Capt. Charles Elliott of Company A, Fortieth
Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, who fell leading his company in a
desperate charge against the Confederates at Kenesaw Mountain, Georgia, in
June, 1864.
Doctor Elliott attended the Western Presbyterian Theological Seminary
at Allegheny, Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in 1870. Later
he took a post-graduate course and received the degree of Doctor of Philos-
ophy in 1887, from the University of Wooster, Ohio. He was licensed and
ordained to the ministry in the Presbyterian church in 1870. From that
year to 1874 he lived in the state of Iowa and preached at Russell. His
ministry in Ohio was very successful, his pas'.orates at Wilmington, West
Union and Kingston, in that state, covering nearly twenty years. In 1896 he
came to Lafayette. His health declining, he gave up the full work of the
ministry and since then has been doing supply work as opportunity offered
and giving attention to the interests of his farm, living meanwhile in his
pleasant home on State street.
Doctor Elliott was married in November, 1874, to Jennie Grand-Girard,
of Hillsboro, Ohio. She was of French parentage; the family were promi-
nent in the old country, a grandfather having been an officer in Napoleon's
famous Old Guard. To them were born five children, namely: Minnie W.,
living at home; Charles is in Atlanta, Georgia; he graduated from Purdue
University in 1899 and is nov.- holding the position of superintendent of
a steel plant; Emile is managing a ranch in New Mexico; Georgiana mar-
ried Arthur Gates, a graduate of Purdue University in the class of 1890, and
they live in Salt Lake City, Utah ; Elsie is still a member of the home circle.
Doctor Elliott is a member of the Crawfordsville presbytery, and his
family are members of the Second Presbyterian church of Lafayette. Doctor
Elliott belongs to the Royal Arcanum and the Grand Army of the Republic.
The family is highly esteemed by all who know them and greatly beloved by
all their friends.
JAMES L. REEVES.
William and Rebecca (Wells) Reeves were married in Ross county,
Ohio, in 183 1, and shortly afterward decided to leave their native place for
residence in Indiana. John D. Reeves, father of William, had a few years
previously gone to Fountain county with his wife and entered land on the
edge of Shawnee Prairie. To this place William took his bride, traveling
894 PAST AND PRESENT
not as they do now in finely appointed palace cars, but in a rude wagon, which
jolted them sorely as they proceeded over the rough roads and "traces'" of
Ohio and Intliana. The father was a native of Pennsylvania and served in
the war of 1812. While he was away William, the oldest of the children,
with the aid of a gentle horse raised a crop to sustain the family. In 1844,
after a residence of over seven years in Fountain county, he removed to Tip-
pecanoe county and located on rented land in the southern part of Wayne
township. He learned the tanner's trade from Amos Welch, an uncle of Hon.
Amos Welch of West Point, and followed it as a calling for many years. He
remained in \\'ayne township until 1868. when he removed to Illinois, where
he died in 1879. His wife survived him some eight years and died in 1888,
aged seventy-three. They had twelve children; Nathan, who lives in Illinois;
Mary Ellen. wIkj died in youth; Susannah, wife of James Mulhollen. of Tip-
pecanoe county ; John, deceased ; James L. ; Phoebe, widow of George Pan-
cake, and resident of Illinois; Nancy Jane, now Mrs. Silvers, lives in the
state of Washington ; Malinda, wife of George Stover, resides in Wayne town-
ship: Ellen, now deceased, married Nathaniel Garber; Jarvis resides in Illi-
nois; Rebecca, wife of Asa Harness, lives in Illinois; and William is also a
resident of that state.
James L. Reeves, fifth of the family, was born in F(3untnin county. May
21. 1841. He remained at heme until twenty years old. when, in October.
1 86 1, he enlisted in Company G. Fortieth Regiment Indiana \'olunteer In-
fantry, at Lafayette. Indiana, and served with this command through the
memorable campaigns in Kentucky and Tennessee. He was in the battles of
Shiloh. Stone River and Missionary Ridge, besides minor skirmishes. At
the last mentioned battle he was wounded in the right foot by a musket ball,
which compelled him to spend seme time in a hospital. The ball was ex-
tracted and is still in his possession. In May. 1864. he was honorably dis-
cliprged and returned home. For a number of years he was engaged in farm-
ing on rented places, but finally bought forty acres which he disposed of later
and purchased two tracts, one of one hundred eighteen and a half and another
of forty acres, which he has cultivated with success and greatly improved, by
building a house and other necessary structures.
Mr. Reeves was married March 22. 1866. to ^Margaret A. Ray. who died
May 6. 1871, aged little over twenty-eight years, and leaving two children;
Rosella. deceased, and Warren, who married Letta Byers, resides in Jackson
township and has one chud, Ines. Mr. Reeves next married Mrs. Martha
Hawk, nee Ray. by whom he has two children; Edward, the eldest, married
Anna Caroline, daughter of Thomas AI. Marks, resides in Wayne township
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 895
and has seven sons : Thomas J., Mearl, Vennie, William Orville, Floyd, Charles
D., and an infant. Mi: Reeves is an active Republican and served as
trustee from 1888 to 1S90. He was a member of the Grand Army i)f the
Republic post at West Point while it was in existence, and ser\ed as quarter-
master. He is a member of the Wea Plains Horse Association, with which
he has been connected for many years, and is a self-made man and highly re-
spected by the wide circle of acquaintances who have long known him.
JOSEPH XORRIS STEWART.
The family of this name in Wayne township is of Kentucky origin. In
1824, John and Alary (Inlow) Stewart, hern and reared and married in Ken-
tucky, came to Indiana and located in Montgomery county. John, wlm was
a son of Joseph Stewart, was in the war of 1812. serving as a private under
Colonel Dudley, was taken prisoner at the River Raisin, in Canada, and li:id
to run the gauntlet. Charity Smith, the subject's maternal grandmother, liad
two brothers who were hung by the Tories. John Stewart was the grandson
of a Scotch nobleman, who left his country at the time of the persecution and
settled in New Jersey. His son John lived in Pennsylvania for some years
and Joseph, who was born in that state, eventually removed to Kentucky.
Joseph Norris Stewart, son of John and Mary (Inlow) Stewart, was born in
Montgomery county, Indiana, April 15, 1829. His mother, who was a daugh-
ter of Jesse Inlow, died in 1842 and his father in i860. Mr. Stewart's boy-
hood was spent in the rough pioneer days when Montgomery county was
sparsely settled, schools few and far between, much hard work and few diver-
sions. He had to go a long way to the nearest school and lu's attendance was
so irregular that he obtained but a limited education in youth. This defi-
ciency, however, he made up afterward by reading and observation with the
result that he became a well informed man. His father improved two farms,
which involved an immense amount of labor, and his boys had little time to
play during the arduous period of clearing, grubbing, log-rolling, seeding and
harvesting. Of the fifteen children in the family, only two are now living.
Joseph started life for himself at an early age, renting and working land in
his native county after reaching his majority. In 1862 he remn\ed t(T Tip-
pecanoe county, renting land first in Jackson and later in Wayne township.
At length he located on a small farm of thirty-one acres, which when Ir^ught
by him was covered with timber and brush. So he was compelled to resume
896 PAST AND PRESENT
his old business of grubbing and clearing, but in time had a pleasant and com-
fortable home where he has resided for more than forty-two years. In 1864
Mr. Stewart married Elizabeth Kerr, who died in 1885. His second wife
was Susan, daughter of Edfred C. and Elizabeth (Dunn) Cokry. She was
born in ^Massachusetts, taken in infancy to Montgomery county, Ohio, by her
parents and when six years old to Attica, Indiana, where she grew to woman-
hood. Both her parents are dead. They were married in Ireland and
brought four children with them to this country. Mr. Stewart had three
brothers in the Civil war, and his wife also had a brother and two brothers-
in-law in the Union army during that great conflict. Mr. Stewart was first
a member of the Baptist church, but later joined the Methodist Episcopal
church in Fountain county, of which he is a trustee and was long a class
leader. He is a staunch Prohibitionist, and a man of high moral notions on
all subjects. A farmer all of his life, he has done much arduous work and
deserves as well as receives the esteem of all who know him.
WILLIAM W. YOUXG.
Among the honored and venerable citizens of Tippecanoe county is the
subject of this review, who has here maintained his home for nearly six dec-
ades, winning a definite success by means of the agricultural industry, to
which he devoted his attention during the long years of an active business
life. He is now practically retired and is enjoying that repose and rest
which are due to him now that the shadows of his life begin to lengthen in
the golden west. His career has been without shadow of wrong or sus-
picion of evil, and thus he has ever commanded the confidence and esteem of
his fellowmen, his nearly four-score years resting lightly upon him and
being crowned with honor.
William Young was born in New Lisbon, Columbiana county. Ohio, on
the 4th of June, 1830, and is a son of Joseph and ^lary (Seydel) Young.
Joseph Young was a native of Pennsylvania, but went to Ohio in young man-
hood, and was there married. They first went to housekeeping in Columbiana
county, but eventually located in Stark county, the same state, where they
lived (luring the remainder of their lives. The father was a boot and shoe-
maker by trade and followed that business all his life, being a good workman
and successful in his business. He was in politics first a Whig, and after-
wards a Republican. He was not in any sense a politician, though he always
W. W. YOUNG
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 897
had the keenest interest in pubHc affairs. He and wife were faithful and
earnest members of the Christian church. The subject's mother was also a
native of the Keystone state and removed to Ohio with her family when she
was yet quite young. Joseph and Mary Young became the parents of a large
family, several of the children dying in infancy. Those living are William,
subject of this sketch; Joseph M., Andrew S., Sarah K. and Mary Elizabeth.
William Young has practically made his own way in the world since the
death of his mother, which event occurred when he was but twelve years of
age. He received some education in the subscription and free schools of Ohio,
but the major part of his knowledge has been secured in the school of expe-
rience. When old enough he commenced working on farms and agriculture
has been his vocation ever since. He has been a close student of the great
basic science and has thus been enabled to achieve a definite success along
this line. After working in Ohio as a farm hand until about twenty years
old, Mr. Young came to Indiana, locating first at Ft. Wayne. A year or two
later he came to Tippecanoe county and it is noteworthy that his first meal
here was eaten in the same house in which he now lives, the date having been
the Fourth of July, 1852. He was here employed as a farm hand for a num-
ber of years, being married in the meantime, and after the death of his wife's
parents he settled on their farm, which has been his home ever since. The
country was wild and unimproved when Mr. Young first came here, as an
evidence of which it may be stated that there was but one house between his
home and Lafayette, the country being mostly co\-ered with timber and ponds,
with an occasional small strip of prairie land. Thus he has l>een a witness
to the wonderful development which has taken place in this favored section
of Indiana.
The subject has consistently applied his efforts to agriculture, and has
been rewarded with a fair element of success, so that now, in his later years,
he is enabled to relinquish the arduous labors which was his portion for so
many years, and now he simply keeps a general oversight of his farming
interests.
In 1855 Mr. Young was married to Sarah McCormick. who was burn
in Ohio, but who accompanied her parents to Tippecaiioe cmmty, theirs being
one of the first families to locate in this part of the county. ^Irs. Young
lias been dead a number of years. Mr. Young served efticientlv as a justice
of the peace for one term, but has never had any inclination for public office.
Soon after coming to Indiana he taught several terms of school in White and
Tippecanoe counties, this constituting his only digression from his great life
(57)
iSgiS PAST AND PRESENT
work. He has been a staunch Republican ever since that party was formed.
His first vote was cast for Winfield Scott for President. Though never affiH-
ated with any religious denomination, Mr. Young has been a generous sup-
porter of churches and other benevolent movements and has given his cordial
support to everything looking to the moral and material advancement of his
community. A man of many fine personal qualities of character, he has won
and retains the confidence and highest esteem of his fellow-citizens, and he is
eminently entitled to representation in a work of this nature.
ANDRE\\' KIENLY.
This well-known and prominent family originated in Germany, but since
i860 a number of members have lived in the United States, the first of the
name to immigrate to this country being George Kienly and his wife Eliza-
beth, who with their several children settled in May of the year indicated at
Green Hill, formerly Indian Hill, in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, where Mr.
Kienly secured one hundred and fifty acres of land and in due time became
a successful tiller of the soil. The family of George and Elizabeth Kienly
consisted of eleven children, the majority of whom were born in the Old
World, and all of whom have since passed to their final rest.
Among these children was a son by the name of Andrew Kienly. who
was born at the ancestral home in Wurttemberg, Germany. May i. 1842,
and who accompanied his parents to the United States when a youth of
eighteen and grew to maturity on the farm at Green Hill, this county. He
was reared to agricultural pursuits, received a good education in the schools
of bis native hnd and Tippecanoe county, and began life for himself in the
harness and saddlery business in Lafayette in 1866. which he conducted suc-
cessfully up to the time of his death, in 1897.
On April 10, 1865, Mr. Kienly entered tlie marriage relation with Aliss
Amelia Ulrich, who was bom March 17, 1850, in Lafayette, but whose par-
ents. George and Amelia (Locher) Ulrich. came to this country from Rhein-
fels. Germany, and for a number of years were prominent residents of Tippe-
canoe county. George L'lrich was born July 16. 1823, immigrated to the
L'nited States atout the year 1849 and during his residence in Lafayette was
honored with several important official positions, including those of city treas-
urer and mayor, to which lie was elected in the years 1858 and 1865. ^^'
specti\ely. l:ieing the first Republican mayor ever elected to that oflice. He
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 899
was appointed United States consul to one of the South American countries
in 1861. He was a man of strong character and wide influence, a leader of
the Republican party in Tippecanoe county and did much to promote the
material advancement of Lafayette and build up the business interests of that
city. Enterprising and public-spirited, he filled a large place in the confidence
and esteem of his fellow-citizens and was justly considered one of the lead-
ing German-Americans of his day in this part of Indiana. Mrs. Ulrich,
whose birth occurred on February 29, 1824. was a woman of beautiful life
and character, a fit companion for her enterprising husband and, like him,
gained the respect and love of a large circle of friends who learned to prize
her for her many amiable qualities. Six children were born to this estimable
couple, two sons and four daughters, five of whom are living and highly es-
teemed in their respective places of residence.
Andrew and Amelia Kienly reared a family of six children, the oldest
of whom is George A., who was born January 23, 1867, received a good
education in the public schools of Lafayette, also a business training in a
commercial college and for some years has been clerk in the Lahr House of
this city. \\'illiam J., born July 27, 1870, was educated for a business life
and is now traveling salesman for a large wholesale firm, in addition to which
he also owns and successfully operates a farm of over one hundred acres. He
married Charlotte Ross, of Lafayette, but has no children. E. Louise, whose
birth occurred on February 27, 1874, married George L. Hunt, a dry goods
salesman and resides in Lafayette. Alberta May, the fourth in succession,
was born August 22, 1878, and is now the wife of Warren Sage Hall, of
Cleveland, Ohio, and the mother of one daughter who answers to the name
of Dorothy May Sage. Mr. Hall is the patentee of various improvements
on tlie automobile, and operates a storage battery factory in the city of Cleve-
land. Albert Barnard Charles Victor Kienly, the third son and fifth in order
of birth, first saw the light of day October 11, 1884, and is engaged in the
drug business on the corner of Sixth and Main streets. His wife, formerly
Anna McCormick, daughter of Asbury and Maria McCormick of Lafayette,
has borne him one child, to whom has been given the name of Georgiana Mc-
Cormick Kienly. Ambrose Cornelius Kienly, the youngest of the family,
was born September 26, 1885, and is unmarried. After graduating from the
Lafayette high school, he engaged with the Underwood Typewriter Company,
of Duluth, Minnesota, where he is now located as manager of the company's
business at that place.
Since the death of her husband, which occurred Julv 18, 1897, Mrs.
Kienly has lived at the family home, No. i^j South Fourth street, where.
900 PAST AND PRESENT
surrounded by her friends and in the enjoyment of many material blessings,
she is spending the passing years in a quiet but useful way, being interested
in the social and moral welfare of the city and a generous donor to various
charitable and benevolent enterprises. Religiously she subscribes to the
Presbyterian creed and for a number of years her name has adorned the rec-
ords of the Second church of that denomination in the city of her residence.
DANIEL JACKSON.
In the person of this old farmer, now deceased, we have a sample of a
worthy race of people to whom the country is largely indebted for its de-
velopment and progress. He was not a showy man, simply a plain, indus-
trious tiller of the soil, who worked hard to get a start in the world, reared
anJ provided for a large family, did his duty to his fellowman and made a
good neighbor and citizen. To such as he, Indiana owes much. Here and
there, scattered over the state in every county, on a few acres of land, they
toiled and worked, cleared, grubbed and ditched, fought the forces of nature
in the way of swamps and dense forests, gradually making headway, until
in ime we see the beautiful and highly cultivated farms as the result of their
arduous labors. Such were the pioneer farmers. They did not figure in
public life. Their names were seldom mentioned in the papers, they lived
quiet and unpretentious lives, but it was their work and self-sacrifice that was
gradually building up the state, adding to its wealth and beauty, until it be-
came one of the finest agricultural regions in the world.
Daniel Jackson was born in Ohio, September lo, 1829, spent his boy-
hood in his native state and when eighteen years old started out to fight the
battle of the world on his own behalf. Coming to Tippecanoe county in the
spring of 1838, he worked for a time in a gristmill, but later accepted jobs on
farms or other lines, such as he was able to do. February 24, 1853, he mar-
ried Harriet, daughter of Patrick Henry Weaver, of whom a sketch will be
found on another page of this work. In 1864 Mr. Jackson enlisted in Company
F, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, at Lafay-
ette, and served until the close of the war in the Army of the Cumberland.
Being honorably discharged on the cessation of hostilities, he returned home
and resumed work where he had left off. He first made a purchase of five
acres of land, but from time to time added more until he eventually owned
eiehtv acres of good soil. This lantl lie cultivated with success until he lie-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 9OI
came well-to-do and was able to provide satisfactorily for his family. He
was entirely a self-made man, well respected in his neighborhood and re-
garded as reliable in every way. He was elected several times to the office of
justice of the peace, but always refused to serve, not caring for office of any
kind. He died July 31, 1903, and his remains were interred at West Point
cemetery. He had six children: Evon Andrew, the eldest, born July 13,
1854, married Alice Francis, and both are now dead; Lewilla Amintha, laorn
January 19, 1858, married Thomas Dunigan, of Tippecanoe county; Edward
Albert, born January 22, i860, resides at Hannibal, Missouri; William Dallas,
deceased, was bom October 7, 1861 ; Oliver Morton, born August 19, 1864,
resides at West Point; John S., born August 31, 1868, lives with his mother
on the old homestead, first jnirchased by Mr. Jackson when he engaged in
farming for himself.
JOSHUA CHEW.
This name has been borne by four generations in America, and has
been familiar in Lafayette for more than half a century. The first Joshua
Chew was born in Maryland, near Chesapeake bay, in August, 1770. His
father was one of three brothers who came from England in colonial times
and was killed by the Indians while locating land in Pennsylvania in 1774.
His son, the second Joshua Chew, married Elizabeth, daughter of William
McNelly, an Irish school teacher. The latter's wife, when a small child, was
a resident of Trenton, New Jersey, and during the revolutionary battle at
that place was found wandering the streets, lost from her parents. They
were not found, nor did the child ever discover who they were, but she was
adopted and reared by a family that moved to Virginia, where she sub-
sequently obtained her husband. The third Joshua, who was the son of
Joshua and Elizabeth (McNelly) Chew, was born in Berkeley county, Vir-
ginia, September 8, 1830. He lived in this wild and mountainous region
until eighteen years old, assisting his father in stonemasonry and farm
work, meantime picking up a scanty education in the uncertain schools of
those days. In 1848 the family crossed the mountains with teams, on their
way to Urbana, Ohio, and when passing Wheeling saw the bridge-builders
twisting wire cable for the first bridge over the Ohio. During his eight
years' residence in Urbana, Mr. Chew learned both the cooper and brick-
laying trades. After spending a year in Iowa, he came to Lafayette in
1857 and has ever since been one of the fixtures of this citv. The first
902 PAST AND PRESENT
season was devoted to bricklaying, and during the two years or more follow-
ing he and E. B. Lyman ran a lime kiln on the banks of the canal, near
where the water-works now stand. Later he became a brick contractor and
this business he followed until 1871, when he engaged in general building
contracting. As a leader in this line he has performed a notable part in
the construction of the city of Lafayette. Between 1872 and 1876 he erected
many buildings on the Purdue University campus, including the farmhouse,
the four-story dormitory, the boarding house (now Ladies' Hall), the or-
iginal chemical laboratory, the boiler and engine house (now torn away),
the gymnasium, now used as an armory. University Hall, and the buildings
for the gas plant. In 1891 Mr. Chew erected the original building for the
engineering laboratory, which afterwards was destroyed by fire. In 1904
he did the masonry work on the physics building, and the civil engineering
building in 1905. In the last named work and in all his subsequent con-
tracts at Purdue, he was associated with William F. Stillwell. In 1906
they built the chemistry building entire, besides doing much work on other
buildings. In 1908 and 1909 they constructed the building for the new
Memorial g\^mnasium.
In 1897 Air. Chew and Adam Herzog erected the following buildings
at the Soldiers' Home : The old men's home, the assembly hall, and the
east wing of the dining room. In 1905 he and Mr. Stillwell built the old
women's building and in 1907 and 1908 they put up the new hospital at the
same place. He built three school houses in Tippecanoe township, six in
Lafayette and took part in building five of the city's largest churches. He
superintended all of the brick work of the Lafayette Box Board and Paper
Company's plant and built twelve tall smoke stacks, ranging from eighty-
five to one hundred and seventy-five feet in height, besides many large
dwellings and big business houses.
In 1857 Mr. Chew married Mary Ellen Funk, of Kosciusko county,
Indiana, whom he had known in L^rbana, Ohio, where she was born. Her
family came from Pennsylvania in 1810 and located at Urbana, where her
grandfather ran an old-time wagon factory. Mr. Chew's father died in
1858, when nearly eighty-eight years old. Mr. and Mrs. Chew have had
four sons, all of whom grew to manhood and learned the bricklayer's trade.
Samuel C. tlie eldest, was born in 1858 and died in 1887, unmarried. WW-
liam L., born July 18, 1861, married Augusta Hurtzburg and has one daugh-
ter, Evalene; Frank, born October 23, 1863, married Alice Peck, of Mis-
souri; Joshua Chew, Jr., the youngest, was born February 17, 1866, married
Fannie B. Stoner and has a son also named Joshua, who was born on
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 9O3
Christmas day, 1906. Fannie B. (Stoner) Chew is a native of Pennsylvania
and her parents, John Stoner and wife, came to Lafayette when she was only
six weeks old. Her father was a native of England and her mother of
Scotch ancestry, but Pennsylvania birth. Mary Ellen (Funk) Chew, wife
of the contractor, died in May, 1869. In 1886 Mr. Chew was appointed
street commissioner of Lafayette and served three years. Although nearly
eighty years old, he is still active and attends to business as well as many
men of fifty. About four years ago he was in a railroad accident in which
he received injuries that would have caused younger men to succumb. He,
however, speedily recovered and now shows little sign of having been hurt.
He not only stands at the head of Lafayette builders in amount of work,
but also in its quality, which is always reliable, substantial and workman-
like.
ROBERT ALEXANDER.
The United States is indebted to Canada for many of its best citizens.
Similar in race, religion and general views of business and government, the
Canadians need no assimilating, as they readily dovetail with those on this
side of the line. The Canadians as a class are ingenious and industrious,
adapt themselves easily to conditions and almost invariably prove valuable ac-
quisitions to the communities where they settle. Good examples of the truth
of all this are found in the members of the Alexander family, who came across
the line thirty-odd years ago to cast their lots with the people of the states.
John and Catharine Alexander had four sons, John, William, Alexander and
Robert, who after spending their youth and early manhood in their native
Canada, emigrated to New York. Robert Alexander, the youngest, was
born in Canada in 1857, and, as he grew up, attended the public schools in
his native province. After leaving school he learned the milling trade, which
he followed for some time after coming to the city of Bufifalo. In the spring
of 1881 he concluded to move farther west, found an opening at Marion.
Indiana, where he remained about a year, then went to Danville, Illinois, for
a while, but in 1884 settled permanently at Lafayette. In partnership with the
other brothers before mentioned a business concern was formed which, under
the title of Alexander Brothers, embarked in the sale of feeds, which they
ground and prepared in a mill of their own, also producing flour and catering
to the trade in various lines. In 1891 Roljert purchased the interests of the
904 PAST AND PRESENT
Other brothers, moved the mill to Buck Creek, in Tippecanoe county, and since
then has continued the business with an increasing trade. In 1907 he bought
an elevator from the Colburn Grain Company at Cqlburn, and branched out
more extensively as a dealer in grain. He also owns two farms in the
county, one of fifty-one and another of one hundred and forty-nine acres,
and altogetiier is quite a prosperous and useful citizen.
In November, 1889, Mr. Alexander married Minnie Kullmer. of Attica,
Indiana. He is a member of Lafayette Lodge, No. 123, Free and Accepted
Masons; Lafayette Chapter, No. 3, Royal Arch Masons; Tippecanoe Coun-
cil, No. 69, Royal and Select Masters, and Lafayette Command-
ery, No. 3, Knights Templar. He is also a thirty-second-degree member
of the consistory of the Scottish Rite, and of Murat Temple, Mystic Shrine.
In politics, his convictions are in line with those of the Republican party,
though he is no politician or seeker of office. The family attends the Second
Presbyterian church. Mr. Alexander recently built a new house on one of
the best residence streets. It is a large frame structure, with hardwood
floors and tastefully furnished thmugiiout.
HARRISON GAYLORD.
One of the most straightforward, energetic and successful agriculturists
of Tippecanoe county is he whose name appears as the caption of this sketch.
He is public-spirited and thoroughly interested in whatever tends to promote
the moral, intellectual and material welfare of his locality, and for many years
he has been numbered among the county's most valued and honored citizens.
Harrison Gaylord is a native of the old Buckeye state, having first seen
the light of day in Lucas county, Ohio, on the 4th of September, 1839. His
parents were William S. and Eliza (Williams) Gaylord, William S. Gay-
lord was born in Erie county. New York, in 1803, the family having original-
ly come from Connecticut, where the family had been conspicuous for many
years. William S. received his early education in his native state and on
attaining mature years learned the trade of wagon-making, in which he be-
came verv proficient, following that line of work all his life. During the
construction of the Erie canal, in New York state, he was engaged in making
wheelbarrows for that work. In 1833 he came to Toledo, Ohio, where he
remained, working at his trade until 1858, when he moved to Covington,
Indiana, and in 1865 he finally located in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, where
MR. AND MRS. HARRISON GAYLORD
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 9O5
he spent the remainder of his days. He was an active man in politics, liaving
been first a Whig and later a Republican, and his first vote was lor Andrew
Jackson for President. He took a strong stand for the Union cause during
the Civil war and was ever a stanch champion of whatever cause seemed to
him to be right. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, as was his
wife, and they were held in high esteem by all who knew them. He was
eighty-one years old when he died. Eliza Williams was born in Xew York
state in 1805, and her death occurred when she was seventy-one ye:irs old.
Her immediate family were from Massachusetts, while her ancjstDrs were
English. Her remains are buried beside those of her husband in the Burton
cemetery in Wabash township. To this worthy couple were born the tolloiv-
ing children: Franklin A., deceased; Charles E., deceased; William F., wh i
was a Union soldier during the Civil war, died in the military hospital at
Evansville; Harrison, the subject, was the next in order of birth; Emilv H.,
deceased ; George C. is a resident of Wabash township.
Harrison Gaylord received his early education in the schools of Toledo,
Ohio, and after the family moved to Fountain county, Indiana, in 1858, he
engaged in teaching school for six or seven years. On coming to Tippecanoe
county he engaged in farming, locating on the farm nn which he now re
sides, comprising about eighty-five acres in section 3, township j^, r:inge 3
west. The land had been cultivated Init little and he and his brother (ieoroc
applied their energies to the task of clearing and improving it. They con-
tinued to farm this land in partnership until about fifteen years ago, when
the subject secured his brother's interest and has since operated it alone. He
has carried on a diversified system of agriculture, raising all the crn]is com-
mon to this locality and meeting with marked success in his calling. Ik-
keeps the place up to a high standard of excellence and the well-ke]3t property
stands in unmistakable evidence nf the wise discrimination and sound judg-
ment of the owner. Vp to about five years ago Mr. Gavlord ga\-e much rt-
tention to the raising of hogs, but (.f late he has abandoned that line of in-
dustry and confined his attention more exclusi\'ely to the tilling of the soil.
In 1869 Harrison Gaylord took unto himself a life partner in the ])t'r-
son of Rachel M. Shaw, who was born near Battle Ground, Tippecanoe coun-
ty, October 31, 1848, the daughter of James Shaw, whose family had conr;
to Indiana from Kentucky. To Mr. and Mrs. Gaylord have been born the
following children : Carrie L., the wife of Dr. George Driscoll, a druggist
at Lafayette, is the mother of four children; Jessie E. is the wife of Elmer G.
Lewis, of Chicago; Ida M., deceased; Charles E., who married )ennie Davis.
906 PAST AND PRESENT
was a graduate in pharmacy at Purdue University in June, 1909; two chil-
dren, twins, died in infancy unnamed; Edwartl ].. \\±o is engaged in the drug
busmess at Wabash, Indiana, married Ida Baumbauer; Catherine is the wife
of Lewis Clinker and lives in Wabash township; Harry A., who lives in
Wabash township, married Myrtle Brokway; Laura Gertrude married John
J. Klinker.
Mr. Gaylord is a Republican in his political views, having cast his first
vote for Abraham Lincoln for President. He takes a commendable interest
in public affairs, but has never consented to run for office of any nature. He
is, with his wife, connected with the Methodist Episcopal church and
active in advancing its interests. Mr. Gaylord gives his support to all moral,
educational, social or material interests which he believes will benefit the com-
munity, and as a man of sterling worth he justly merits the high regard in
which he is held.
WILLIAM G. GUDE.
An enumeration of the representative business men of Tippecanoe
county who have won recognition and success for themselves and at the
same time have conferred honor upon the community where their lot has
been cast, would be decidedly incomplete were there failure to make mention
of ^^'illiam G. Gude, who has long held worthy prestige in business and
social circles of Lafayette, and has always been distinctively a man of
affairs, wielding a wide influence among those with whom he comes into
contact, ever having the afifairs of his county at heart and doing what he
could to aid in its development. But being by nature unassuming and un-
ostentatious, he seems to be unaware of any special good he has done for
the community at large.
William G. Gude, the well-known cashier of the Merchants' National
Bank, needs no introduction to the readers of this history owing to the
fact that his life has been spent here and his family long prominent in the
county's afifairs. His birth occurred in the city of Lafayette in 1868, and
he is the son of George and Gertrude (Busse) Gude, people of sterling
worth, belonging to that large class of representative Ohioans, so many of
whom have come to Indiana and identified themselves with its many in-
stitutions greatly to the benefit of the latter state. It was about the close
of the Civil war when George Gude and wife located in Lafavette where
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 907
they became leaders in local circles, establishing a good home here, bnild-
ing up a business of no small proportions and becoming known for their
generosity and high integrity.
William G. Gude grew to manhood in this city, attending the local
public and' high schools, receiving a good education in the primary branches,
which has later been supplemented by wide miscellaneous reading and by
contact with the world at large. Being by nature something of a mathe-
matician, his grades in this particular branch were especially good, and his
mind naturally turned toward the work of an accountant. He had no
trouble in securing employment in this line when he started out on his busi-
ness career, . first working for the Monon railroad in the general accounting
department, in which he remained for about twenty years, the company
finding his services during that long period almost indispensable, and find-
ing Mr. Gude entirely trustworthy, capable and efficient at all times, pos-
sessing all the qualities of the expert accountant, and honest and reliable.
During the first years of his employment by this road he was stationed at
Lafayette, but about 1885 he was moved to Chicago, where he was given
the same line of work. He held the responsible position of general car
accountant until January i, 1905. when, much to the regret of his em-
ployers, he resigned to come to Lafayette to accept the position of assistant
cashier of the Merchants' National Bank. He discharged the duties of the
same in such a creditable manner as to win the confidence of the directors
of this institution, and upon the death of James Murdock, president of this
bank. Mr. Gude was promoted to the position of cashier, which he still holds,
to the entire satisfaction of all concerned.
The domestic life of Mr. Gude dates from January, 1902, when he
formed a matrimonial alliance with Anna Wagner, the accomplished and
popular daughter of John Wagner, a prominent citizen of Lafayette, and to
Mr. and Mrs. Gude three interesting children have been born, namely:
Elizabeth, William and Madeline.
Mr. and Mrs. Gude are consistent members of the Catholic church,
being liberal supporters of the same and interested in its many forms of
charitable and benevolent work. Mr. Gude in his fraternal relations be-
longs to the Knights of Columbus, and one would judge from his daily
life among his fellowmen that he endeavors to carry the sublime precepts
of this old and honorable order into practical use.
The Gudes reside in the old, beautiful and commodious Thomas Cole-
man residence at Perrin avenue and Main street, which Mr. Gude purchased
in 1906, and this has become the mecca for the best society of the city.
908 PAST AND PRESENT
members of which always find good cheer and hospitality prevailing and
imstintingly dispensed by the charming simplicity of Mrs. Gude, the pre-
siding spirit of this model household.
The name of Mr. Gude is associated with progress in his native county,
and among those in whose midst he has long lived and labored he is held
in the highest esteem by reason of an upright life of fidelity to principles
which everywhere command respect and admiration.
WILLIAM \\'ELLIXGTON STEELE.
The general public always takes an interest in following the history of
a young man who, starting on life's career handicaped in many ways, with-
out capital or influential friends, pushes manfully forward toward the goal
of success which he has set before him. Such a one is the gentleman whose
name heads this article and as such he is widely known not only in the in-
dustrial circles with which he has so long been identified, but with the
people of the community at large, being in the true sense of the term a self-
made man and the architect of his own fortune. William Wellington Steele,
superintendent of the Barbee Wire and Iron Works of Lafayette and one
of the city's enterprising leaders of industry, is a native of Allen county.
Indiana, born in the town of Monroeville, on the 22d day of December,
T867, and the son of James M. Steele, formerly a business man and for
many years connected with the railway service. When William was eight
years old, his parents moved to Decatur, Indiana, where they continued to
reside until 1879, when they changed their abode to Lafayette. Here the
lad turned his attention to various occupations, gaining by stern experience
a knowledge of the world, and in the public schools which he attended as
opportunities would admit obtained a fair education, the greater part of his
training, however, consisting of the practical kind, acquired by contact with
his telle )wmen in various business capacities.
\\'hen barely thirteen years of age, young William was given charge
of a department in the mercantile house of Yeates, Dozois & Hedge, known
as the old Boston store, where, in due time, he obtained a knowledge of
the principles of business, but his duties were difficult and his hours long,
going to work at seven o'clock in the morning and seldom leaving the store
before nine or ten at night. This long and steady confinement and the
amount of work required of him proved so detrimental to his health that
he afterwards was obliged to resign his position and seek some kind of out-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 909
door employment. His next experience was as a railway newsboy, at which
he succeeded as long as he was permitted to conduct the business to suit
himself, but when the company bought the right of selling on all trains he
disposed of his stock and entered its employ. For reasons which redound
greatly to his credit, he was afterwards discharged and the twenty-five dol-
lars security deposited with the company declared forfeited. Refusing to
submit to such a manifest injustice, he secured an attorney and entered suit
for the sum of his deposit and damages, realizing which, the company re-
turned him his money as the easiest way out of what promised to be for
them an expensive and troublesome case. His being obliged to abandon
the road proved a blessing in disguise, as it enabled him to enter the employ
of the Barbee Wire and Iron Company, where he began working in a very
humble capacity, his first duty being the carrying of heavy iron bars from one
building to another, frequently several squares apart. This kind of labor
proved exceedingly hard and disagreeable, especially in cold and inclement
weather, but, nothing daunted, he continued it for si.x months, when he
was assigned to the lighter duty of handling wire, in which he demonstrated
marked ability and made rapid progress.
About the year 1887 Mr. Steele, with fifteen other employes, went to
Chicago to work in a new factory, but after a few months he resigned his
position in that city and returned to Lafayette again, taking service with
the Barbee plant, but at double his former wages. This proof of his value
to the firm proved an impetus to his efforts and from that time on his aim
was to make daily advancement in his line of duty, so as to eventuallv be-
come a necessity to his employers. His continuous striving for promotions
and higher grades of work were in due time rewarded, and in 1889 he was
made foreman of the channel iron department, which position he filled with
credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the firm until 1894, when he was
obliged to retire temporarily on account of an accident which resulted in
the loss of one of his eyes.
When sufficiently recovered, Mr. Steele was made assistant superin-
tendent of the factory and by reason of various changes which subsequently
took place he was later promoted to the responsible position of superinten-
dent, which place he still holds, discharging the duties of the post with
ability and acceptance and proving a very capable and exceedingly popular
official. At the time of the latter appointment peculiar conditions obtained
in the company, which were difficult to meet, but with remarkable sagacity
and a thorough knowledge of the situation Mr. Steele applied himself to
the delicate duty of adjusting matters, which he accomplished in due season
9IO PAST AND PRESENT
to the satisfaction of all concerned, proving in this, as in other situations of
like character, a shrewd, diplomatic, but thoroughly honorable leader, who
foresees with remarkable accuracy the future outcome of his well-laid plans
and who as yet has never failed to mould circumstances to suit his purposes.
Mr. Steele has been superintendent of the large and important estab-
lishment with which he is connected for a period of fifteen years, during
which time he has also become a stockholder in the company and a member
of the board of directors. His efficiency and soimd judgment peculiarly fit
him for the responsible and arduous duties of the position he so worthily
holds, and to his able and judicious management is due much of the con-
tinuous progress and success of the company during his incumbency.
Mr. Steele, on November 27, 1895, entered the marriage relation with
Emma Louise Wurster, of Lafayette, daughter of Godfrey and Mary Rosina
(Keller) Wurster, the union resulting in the birth of one child, Dorothy
Louise Steele, an intelligent and popular young lady who has proven a
welcome accession to the home circle and in whom are centered many ardent
hopes for the future. Mr. Steele is a member of the Pythian brotherhood
and an active and influential worker in the lodge to which he belongs. Al-
though a business man and deeply interested in the enterprise with which
identified, the subject possesses strong domestic tastes, his love of home and
family amounting almost to a passion. When the labors of tiie day are
done, he hastens to the domestic fireside where, in the company of those
near and dear to him, he finds the rest and solace which he has so well
earned, and where, with all cares laid aside, he is seen at his best, a tender
and affectionate husband, a loving and indulgent father, and a true type
of the intelligent, broad-minded and hospitable American gentleman. Since
his childhood he has evinced decided musical talent and his favorite recre-
ation for some }ears past has been the taking part in concerts given from time
to time by one of the bands of Lafayette to which he belongs.
WILLL\M W. YEAGY.
Improvement and progress may well be said to form the keynote of the
character of William W. Yeag\', one of the best known contractors of Tippe-
canoe and adjoining counties, and he has not only been interested in the
work of advancement in individual affairs, but his influence is felt in up-
building the community of which he has long been an honored citizen. Al-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 9II
though yet a young man, he has shown what energy, fideUty to right prin-
ciples and persistent effort can accompHsh when rightly directed and con-
trolled. His birth occurred at WilHamsport, Indiana, July 3, 1872. He
is the son of Warren U. and Clara F. (High) Yeagy.
The father was a native of Berks county, Pennsylvania, where he was
reared and learned the miller's trade. When a young man he came to In-
diana and settled at Williamsport. where he worked at his trade several
years, and where he was married. He later engaged in farming in War- '
ren county. At present he holds the responsible position as general man-
ager of the Gary Construction Company at Gary, Indiana, one of the larg-
est contracting firms of that city, in which he is also a heavy stockholder.
The High family was one of the most prominent ones of Williams-
port for several generations, to which place they came from the state of
Pennsylvania, where members of this fine old family had been distinguished
for a still longer period, or since the early pioneer days. One of the most
noted of William W. Yeagv'"s ancestors was Brigadier General William High,
of the Second Brigade, Si.xth Division, Pennsylvania Militia. He was a
man of high standing there in the early days of the state's history. He was
the great-grandfather of "Sh. Yeagy's mother.
\\'illiam W. Yeagy spent his boyhood days in Williamsport, where he
attended the public schools and the high school. After finishing the pre-
scribed course at the latter, he went to Lafayette and took a commercial
course in a business college. He thus became well equipped for his sub-
sequent business career.
On May 15, 1895, Mr. Yeagy was united in marriage with Lena
Kildee, a young lady of culture and refinement, the daughter of Joseph A. and
Caroline Isabel (Howland) Kildee, a highly respected and influential family.
After their marriage, Mr. and ]\Irs. Yeag\- moved to Lafayette, where
Mr. Yeagy engag'ed in the grain business with F. B. Parker, profital:ily con-
tinuing in the same until 1903, building up an extensive trade in the mean-
time. The winter of 1903 and 1904 was spent in Texas, the sojourn in the
Lone Star state being a delightful one away from the rigors of a northern
climate. In the spring of 1904, upon his return to Lafayette, Mr. Yeagy
entered the cement and concrete business as a contractor, in which he is
still engaged, having been quite successful from the first. He builds houses,
bridges and various other structures. He has turned over some big jobs, but
whether large or small, the}- have been uniformly satisfactorv, owing to
the care he takes with all his work, employing only expert men and the
most modern methods, .-\mong some of the noteworthy jobs he has handled
912 PAST AND PRESENT
was the laying of all the cement walks at Purdue University and on Main
street from the Wabash railroad to' the river. The nature of his work is
such that he has some leisure during the winter months, and this time is
spent in travel in the southern states. The most recent trip taken by Mr.
and Mrs. Yeagy- included Cuba and other parts of the West Indies as well
as the most interesting places in this country, the trip being not only pleas-
ant but educational. The many valuable and interesting mementoes of their
travels would indicate that they know how to get the most out of such trips.
In 1 901 Mr. Yeagy built a beautiful home for himself, immediately east
of Governor Hanly's residence, at the corner of Ninth and Owen streets.
It is not only very attractive from an architectural \-ie\vpoint. but is tastily
and beautifully furnished, and here i\Ir. and Mrs. Yeagy often extend a
welcome to their friends.
Mr. and Mrs. Yeagy are members of the Methodist Episcopal church
and liberal supporters of the same. Fraternally, Mr. Yeagy is a member
of the Knights of Pythias. He is regarded in business circles as a man
whose integrity of principle is unquestioned and he is a man of friendly
disposition, consequently is generally popular not only in business circles
but fraternallv and sociallv.
WILLIAM F. BUTLER. M. D.
Good intellectual training, thorough professional knowledge and the
possession and utilization of the qualities and attributes essential to success
have made Dr. William F. Butler eminent in his chosen calling, and he stands
today among the enterprising physicians in a community noted for the h.igh
order of its medical talent, while at the same time he has won the contidence
and esteem of the people of Tippecanoe county for his upright life and genial
disposition, being regarded as one of the representative citizens of Stockwell,
Lauramie township. He was born in Plainfield, Indiana, May 5, 1857, the
son of Alfred and Elizabeth (Morgan) Butler, the former a native of Vir-
ginia, in which state he was born May 29, 1822. In 1832 he came to Indiana,
settling in Henry county, near Lewisville, and there he was reared on the
farm and in due time owned land which he later traded for canal stock. He
moved from there to Richmond. Indiana, and then to Grant county, this state,
his last move lieing to Marion, Indiana, where his death occurred Marcli 30.
1886. He was a very successful man and was honored for his public spirit
and honesty. He married Elizabeth Morgan. August 28. 1844. at Raysville,
W. F. BUTLER
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 9I3
Indiana, and to this union seven children were born, four of whom are hving
at this writing, the subject being the only one residing in Indiana.
Doctor Butler was educated in the schools of his native community, and
he also studied at Amboy Academy, receiving the major part of his educa-
tion here. Later he attended Earlham College at Richmond, Indiana. He
received an excellent education and became a teacher at the academy at
Amboy. He gave satisfaction as an instructor and if he had continued teach-
ing he would doubtless have won a reputation as an able educator.
The Doctor worked a year in a manufacturing pharmacy school in Chi-
cago and then engaged for a time in the retail drug business at Remington,
Indiana, and also at Greenfield, Hancock county. Deciding to devote his life
to the practice of medicine, he entered the Indiana Medical School at Indian-
apolis in the fall of 1892, and graduated from that institution with an hon-
orable record in 1895. He remained in the capital city until 1897, in which
year he located in Stockwell, Tippecanoe county, where he has remained,
building up a lucrative patronage throughout this part of the county.
Doctor Butler's harmonious domestic life began in 1881 when he formed
a matrimonial alliance with Phoebe Pearson, a native of Miami county, In-
diana. She was a woman of pleasing personality and her family is an old
and honored one in the community where she was reared. After becoming
the mother of seven children, she was called to her rest in November, 190^5.
In 1905 Doctor Butler married Bertha Williams, a native of Tippecanoe
county. She is a well educated and cultured lady who takes a delight in her
home, the Doctor's residence in Stockwell being a modern, commodious and
nicely furnished one, where the many friends of the family frequentlv gather,
finding there a free hospitality.
Doctor Butler's children are: Raymond A., a graduate of the Indiana
University of Medicine, and he is at this writing an interne at the City Hos-
pital in Indianapolis. Mary is the wife of Earl H. Cainpbell, of Stockwell,
this county. Benjamin J. is in the employ of the Big Four railroad.
In politics. Doctor Butler is a Republican. He is a member of the coun-
ty, state and national medical associations, while fraternally he belongs to
Miller Lodge, No. 268, Free and Accepted Masons; Summit Lodge, No. 3^0,
Knights of Pythias; and Stockwell Lodge, No. 439, Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, of which he is past grand, and he is also a member of the grand
lodge. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen, taking a very prominent part
in all the above-named lodges, and seeking to exemplify their sublime teach-
ings in his every-day life. Religiously, he supports the Methodist Episcopal
(58)
914 PAST AND PRESENT
church, of which he is a devoted member, and he is superintendent of the
Sunday school in the local congregation. In fact, he is deeply interested in
all movements, whether religious, political or material, that have for their ob-
ject the betterment of his county and humanity in general, and as a result of
his many praiseworthy traits of character he is held in high esteem by all
with whom he comes into contact, to say nothing of their admiration for his
eminent skill as a ph}-sician, which is second to none in this locality.
WILLIAM B. FORESMAN.
A worthy descendant of sterling and influential ancestors who figured
prominently in the development of various localities in both the old Key-
stone and the Hoosier states, is William B. Foresman, a well-known repre-
sentative of the Crabbs-Reynolds-Taylor Company of Lafayette, extensive
dealers in grain and seeds. We first hear of William Foresman, a native
of Pennsylvania, of Scotch-Irish ancestry. He was a rugged pioneer, reared
a family of similar traits to those for which he was noted, having been the
father of Philip Foresman, who was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, whither
his parents moved when that locality was yet undeveloped. Philip Fores-
man grew up in his native community where he received a meagre education
in the rude log school houses of those early times, and while still a young
man he moved to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, when this locality was yet
in an early stage of development, and he here erected what is known as
the Lower Wea Mill, the first mill built in this county. About the same
time he bought a tract of unimproved land, and in due time became pros-
perous by judicious management of both these properties, his mill having
been patronized by the early settlers for many miles around. He was an
obliging and whole-hearted gentleman and he stood high in the estimation
-of the people here. His first wife having died early, he later married Eliza-
beth Bennett, a native of Pickaway county, Ohio. She was the daughter
of G€orge Bennett, a native of Virginia, and this union resulted in the birth
of three sons, namely: Bennett, George and William. Philip Foresman
was a man of unusual strength of character and intellect and he was a
leader in his community for many years, especially in a political way. He
represented Tippecanoe county two terms in the state legislature, having
made a very creditable record in that body, and he was regarded by his
colleagues as a man whose counsel and public views were worthy of the ut-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 915
most respect and consideration. His death occurred in 1847. Afterwards
his widow returned to Circleville, Ohio, to make her home, and there her
son Bennett remained until 1858, when he returned to Tippecanoe county
and soon became a very successful farmer and stock raiser, owning about
six hundred acres of land in Union township, all under a high state of im-
provement.
On October 20, 1864. Bennett Foresman married Mary Groce, daugh-
ter of John and Ellen (Graham) Groce, and to this union two children,
John Philip and William Bennett, were born, the latter's birth occurring on
August 3, 1873. His boyhood was spent on his father's farm in Union
township. He attended the public schools in that community and later took
a four-years course in Purdue University, where he made a splendid record,
becoming a well educated man, having mastered the mechanical engineering
course. He left Purdue in the spring of 1896 and entered the lumber and
coal business at West Point, this county, succeeding T. J. Taylor & Brother.
In 1 90 1 he and Bennett Taylor bought two grain elevators at West Point,
one at Riverside, and one at Shadeland. After conducting them successfully
until 1904, they sold them to the Crabbs-Reynolds-Taylor Company of La-
fayette and became members of the company and are still engaged in that
business, which has greatly increased since the formation of the company
until a trade of no small magnitude is enjoyed, hundreds of car loads of
grain and seeds being handled annually. No small part of the success of
this large enterprise is due to the excellent business ability and sound judg-
ment displayed in its management by William B. Foresman, auditor of the
company.
Mr. Foresman is also interested in the Odell Telephone Company and
the McCarthy hat store of Lafayette, both doing a nice business. He still
retains his coal and lumber interests, before mentioned, at West Point. All
of these extensive interests consume the major part of his time, for he de-
votes his attention very carefully to whatever he has in hand, hence his suc-
cess in whatever he undertakes.
On January 3, 1909, Mr. Foresman was married to Mrs. Mary L.
Heston, a native of Tiffin, Ohio, a lady of culture and refinement and the
representative of an old and highly respected family.
Mr. Foresman is a consistent memljer of the Methodist church at Shade-
land, and Mrs. Foresman of the Episcopal church. Fraternally, the former
is identified with Shawnee Lodge, No. 129, Free and Accepted Masons;
Lafayette Commandery, No. 3, Knights Templar; the Scottish Rite and Murat
Temple Mystic Shrine at Indianapolis. He also belongs to the Lafayette
9l6 PAST AND PRESENT
Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of which he is treasurer
and state trustee. He is prominent in all these orders and takes a very
active interest in their affairs.
Mr. and Mrs. Foresman are frequently hosts to the best people of
Lafayette in their beautiful modern home in the best residential district
of this city, and their many friends alvi^ays find them genial, pleasant and
entertaining.
FRANK D. KERN.
Iowa, perhaps the ideal agricultural commonwealth of all the union,
has done much to educate farmers along scientific lines. From this state
there came to Purdue a young man who, though scarcely past his twenty-
sixth year, has already done some valuable work in a difficult department
of agriculture. His father, W. S. Kern, was a New Yorker who found
his way West in early manhood and became a farmer and stock raiser in
the rich prairie country beyond the Mississippi. He married Emma Dunn,
a native of Wisconsin, by whom he had four children, among them a son
who at an early age indicated possession of unusual talents and energy.
Frank D. Kern was born at Reinbeck, Iowa, Jime 29, 1883, and as he grew
up he attended the public schools of Grundy county. In due time he entered
the high school, mastered its courses and was graduated therefrom in igoo.
He went almost immediately to the University of Iowa, and applied himself
so diligently to his studies that we find him one of the graduating class a
few years later and possessor of the degree of Bachelor of Science. As an
undef-graduate he acted as assistant in biology at Iowa University from
1902 to 1904, in which latter year he came to Purdue University. During
the year following he was special agent of the bureau of plant industry of the
United States department of agriculture, after which he assumed his present
position as associate botanist in the experiment station of Purdue Univ^ersity.
He is also collaborator in the United States bureau of plant industry and
during the months of January in 1906, 1907 and 1908, he did research work
in the botanical gardens of New York. As Mr. Kern's life is still before
him and few of his age have made so promising a beginning, his friends
predict for him a brilliant and useful career in the great field to which he is
devoting his energies. He is a member of the American Breeders' Associa-
tion, the Indiana Academy of Sciences, the American Foresters' Association,
tht Torrev Botanical Club, affiliated with the New York Academv of Sciences,
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 9I7
and fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences.
Already, Mr. Kern has distinguished himself as the author of bulletins on Indi-
ana plant diseases, published in 1905 and 1906, and papers which embody
the results of his researches on the plant rusts. He has made valuable con-
tributions to Science, Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club, and the Journal
of Mycologj% which relates to that branch of botanical sciencr treating- of
mushroom and other microscopical fungi.
August 21, 1907, Mr. Kern was married to Miss Jes-s t, daughter
of J. L. and Susan Bell (Daily) Adair, of Frankfort, Indiana, where the
father is a machinist in the railroad shops. Sue Emma Kern, born Aug-
ust 4, 1908, is the only child of this union. The family attend the Con-
gregational church, of which Mr. Kern has been a member for some years.
Personally, Mr. Kern has the equipment essential to success, both in pos-
sessing a strong, muscular build and a strong constitution capable of much
endurance. He is enthusiastic over his work, painstaking in pursuit of the
expert knowledge required for success in this line and optimistic as to the
great future awaiting the future development of botanical science. His dis-
position is afifable, his temperament sanguine, and his whole manner such as
to inspire confidence. Honest, open and frank, both in countenance and
speech, he is always an agreeable as well as an instructive companion. He
is a valuable acquisition to the staff of Purdue, which includes many of the
most progressive and best equipped scientists of the country, devoted to the
growth and development of the vitally important industry of agriculture.
STANLEY COULTER.
January i, 1848, Moses S. Coulter, a native of West Virginia and a
minister of the gospel, was married to Caroline Crowe, of Indiana, and by
this union two sons were born, who have attained high distinction in the
educational world. John Merle Coulter, the eldest, became president of
Indiana University and also Lake Forest University and is at present head
professor of botany in Chicago University. Stanley Coulter, the younger of
these talented brothers, was born June 2, 1855, and received his early train-
ing in the schools of Madison, Indiana. When quite young he entered Han-
over College and mastered branches that entitled him to the degree con-
ferred on the class of 1873. His first business venture was as a teacher at
9l8 PAST AND PRESENT
Franklin, Indiana, where he remained a year and found more advantageous
employment at Logansport, in the high school of which city he spent eight
years as principal. Temporarily surrendering the teacher's chair, he took
up the practice of law in 1882, followed it for three years and then returned
to his first love as professor in Coates College for Women at Terre Haute.
He retained this position until 1887, when he came to Purdue University
as professor of biology in the scientific department and director of the bio-
logical laboratory. In 1907 he became dean of the school of science and
for years he has been recognized as an authority in the branch of knowledge
to which he has devoted his studies. Professor Coulter is much in demand
as a lecturer and is one of the most popular of the platform speakers. In
1893 he was the lecturer on botany in the summer school of the University
of Wisconsin and lectured on plant life at the summer sessions of Cornell
University from 1903 to 1907. He has been highly honored by degrees from
various schools of learning and as the head of various associations
devoted to scientific subjects. Professor Coulter received the de-
gree of Doctor of Laws in 1909. From Hanover College in 1871 he re-
ceived the degree of Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts in 1874
and Doctor of Philosophy in 1879. H^ is a fellow of the American Associa-
tion for the Advancement of Science, director of the National Society for
the Protection of Wild Plants and member of the Indiana state board of
forestry. In 1897 he was president of the Indiana Academy of Science and
is a member of the State College Association devoted to the same object.
He is a member of the Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools of
the Northwest, and in 1901-2 was president of the State Audubon Society.
He is prominent as a member of the Central Botanists' Association, of which
he was chairman in 1904. and was the first president of the Science Teach-
ers' Association. He is also a member of the Association for the Promotion
of Engineering Education. From this list will be seen how wide have been
Professor Coulter's activities, how great the esteem held for him by learned
bodies and how useful his word in educating the masses along the lines of
popular science. Professor Coulter is a man of deep convictions, indomi-
table perseverance, and thorough in his investigations. He is not easily
discouraged, brushes away trifles and goes directly for the heart of his
subject. With all his learning and distinction, he is modest in his claims,
kind and patient in dealing either with people or problems, open and candid
in manner, and of the well poised, equable temperament which renders him
proof against discouragements.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 919
January 21, 1879, Professor Coulter was married to Lucy, daughter
of Martin M. Post, D. D.. of Logansport. Their only daughter, Miss
Mabel, who was born in October, 1880, became the wife of Albert Smith,
at present a professor in Purdue University.
JACOB DIENHART.
A native of Germany, and seeking the land of liberty and opportunity,
Jacob Dienhart, now an honored citizen of the city of Lafayette, Indiana,
came to America in 1881, when he was ele\-en years of age. He was a son
of Peter Dienhart, who was a linen weaver in the Fatherland and who was
industrious and thrifty and inculcated such principles into his family. He
died in 1892 and his wife four years later.
Young Dienhart received a sound education in the schools of Germany
and after his arrival here he commenced to work for himself, being employed
as a "bell boy" at the Lahr Hotel where he performed his services well and
was encouraged by his employer. Between times he attempted to obtain a
business education and attended a commercial college, which lietter fitted
him for clerical work. Bv honest endeavor and keen perception, and mind-
ful of details, he was promoted through the various positions to chief clerk.
He continued his hard work and by painstaking effort and thriftiness accumu-
lated a little competence. He was made secretary and treasurer of a hat
company, in which he now owns one-half intere-t. The concern is incor-
porated for ten thousand dollars.
Later in life Mr. Dienhart wooed and won ]\Iargaret Kennedy, a daugh-
ter of Professor Kennedy, who is at the head of the commercial school where
he graduated some years before. The marriage took place in 1893 and to
them six children were born, as follows, all of whom live at home: Marie,
Gertrude, Francis, Lucile, Joseph, Ignatius. His attention to business and
rugged honesty came under the attention of his ix)litical friends and Jacob
Dienhart was asked to make the race for city councilman from the first ward.
He was elected and later re-elected for a term of four years more. As a
tribute to his energy he was made a member of several important committees
and, among other notable achievements, he has been instrumental in obtain-
ing cheap lighting for the city. He has always been in favor of justice and
economy in the administration of municipal afifairs and is always found work-
920 PAST AND PRESENT
ing for the best interests of the citizens and for those things most conducive
to the welfare of the city in general.
Jacob Dienhart is a member of the Catholic church, the Knights of St.
Paul and the Knights of Pythias. By political preferment he is a Democrat
and is trusted by his party and the people who know him.
WILLIAM B. HUDLOW.
One of the prominent and influential farmers of Wea township and a
scion of an old and honorable Southern family, whose history traces bacle to
the chivalry of the Old South, and' who is himself a man of unusual charm of
demeanor, is William B. Hudlow, who was born in Rockingham county, Vir-
ginia, February 2. 1858. He is the son of Jacob and Frances (Jones) Hudlow,
both natives of Rockingham county, Virginia, where they grew up and mar-
ried, the former having been educated in the home schools. In 1872 he came
to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, locating in Randolph township, where he lived
until 1890, when he moved to Lafayette and retired. His death occurred
June 22, 1900, his wife having preceded him to the grave on August 4, 1892.
She was a member of the Presbyterian church, while Jacob Hudlow supported
the German Baptist denomination, being a memiier of that church. He was
a \'ery successful man and bore an exemplary reputation. To Jacob and
Frances Hudlow thirteen children were born, namely : Samuel, a farmer and
beet grower at Ordway, Colorado ; William B. ; Lemuel J. married first Emma
Roundebush, and second, Jennie Kessinger; he is a farmer in Wea township;
R. J. is an engineer on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific railroad at Eldon,
Missouri: he married Anna Youch; Charles E., who is an engineer on the
Cloverleaf railroad, at Charleston, Illinois, married Daisy Jones ; Luther, who
remained single, was a brakeman on the Monon railroad, and Avas killed at
Cloverdale, Indiana, in 1893: Russell, a conductor on the Monon railroad at
Lafayette. Indiana, married Lulu Hendress ; James, who was the fifth child in
order of birth, was a fireman on the Monon railroad and was killed Aug^ust
7. 1900. at South Raub, Indiana; he married Mary Gott; Anna, the ninth
child, is the wife nf J. L. Lamb, of Randolph township, this countv; Blanche
married B. T. Boyer, of Lafayette; Frances, who died in 1902. married first,
Harvey Mulhollan, and second, Frank Lane ; George is deceased, as is also
DeWood. the youngest child.
William B. Hudlow was educated in the old log school houses in his
native community, receiving a very limited schooling. He remained at home
O, fi. VivJLi^
y^a'tyi..^u^^n--\JCT^^^(:^ /^A^ <AJL'Cn..A7
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 92 1
until 1882. On March ii, 1883, he married CoKunbia L. Boyer, \vho was
born in Rockingham county, Virginia, the daughter of Jacob and Frances
Boyer, both natives of the same community. Jacob Boyer was killed in the
battle of the Wilderness, May 4, 1864, and his widow is still living at the
age of eighty-one years in Rockingham county, Virginia. Mr. Boyer was
a harnessmaker by trade. He and his wife were the parents of seven chil-
dren, namely: Samuel P., a contractor in Lafayette, Indiana, who married
Amanda Riddleberger ; Julia is deceased; Noah J. is a carpenter in Augusta
county, Virginia; he married Euphrazia Hunter; Columbia L., wife of Wil-
liam B. Hudlow; Joseph is a farmer near Dexter, Missouri; he. married
Sadie Hathaway; B. T. is a street car conductor in Lafayette; he married
Blanche Hudlow ; Robert is deceased.
To Mr. and Mrs. William B. Hudlow two children have lieen born,
namely : Lelia Frances, who married Dr. Ora McCoy, of Romney. Tippeca-
noe county; Maude H. married John W. Cosby, who farms with William
B. Hudlow.
After his marriage Mr. Hudlow and wife located in Randolph township,
Tippecanoe county, where they remained for four years, then he bought sixty
acres in section t,t,. \\'ea township, to which he has added other land until
he has one of the finest farms in the township, consisting of four hundred
and eleven acres. It is well improved and on it stand an attractive and com-
fortable dwelling and good barns and abundant farming machinerv. He and
his wife started in life in a very small way; they worked hard, have been
economical and have succeeded. General farming is carried on by Mr. Hud-
low, who raises large crops of wheat, oats and corn, and his place is well
stocked with horses, cattle, sheep and hogs, also poultry. His fine home,
which was built in 1903, is an attractive one and a place where the many
friends of the family delight to gather. Mr. Hudlow operated a threshing
machine for eighteen years in a very successful manner. He is a Republican
in politics, but has ne\er aspired to public office. He attends Spring Grove
Presbyterian church, and he and his wife hold high rank in their community,
numbering scores of friends throughout the county.
EVERETT B. VAWTER.
Everett B. Vawter, civil engineer and contractor, is a son of Philemon
and Silvia Vawter, whose sketch appears elsewhere, and dates his birth from
August 23, 1859. He first saw the light of day at the family homeste?d in
922 PAST AND PRESENT
Jennings county, Indiana, but at the age of four years was brought by his
parents to Lafayette, with which city his life and interests have since been
very closely identified. He received his preliminary education in the schools
of West Lafayette, graduating from the high school at the age of eighteen,
and in the meantime did considerable work on his father's farm near the
city and in various ways made himself useful to his parents.
Mr. Vawter's first practical experience for himself was as an employe
of the firm of Murphy & Conistock, manufacturers of boots and shoes, in
Lafayette, with which he remained two years, and then became associated
with his father in the construction and superintending of gravel roads in
various parts of Tippecanoe county, to which kind of work he devoted his
attention from 1882 to 1884 inclusive. In the latter year he was elected
county surveyor and so ably and satisfactorily were his official duties dis-
charged that he w^as twice re-elected, filling the position three terms of
two years each and proving one of the most capable men of the county thus
honored.
In 1891 Mr. A'awter became a member of the Lafayette Bridge Com-
pany and continued with the same for a period of nine years, during which
time he superintended the construction of a large number of bridges in var-
ious states and acquired great efficiency and skill in the line of mechanical
engineering. By reason of the ill health of his family he severed his con-
nection with the company at the expiration of the time indicated and moved
to Colorado, where he accepted a position with the American Bridge Com-
pany, which he represented during the ensuing three years in all the western
states and territories, doing a very extensive business and achieving an hon-
orable reputation as an energetic and remarkably successful salesman. Re-
turning to Lafayette in 1903, he again became associated wath his former
partners of the Lafayette Engineering Company, and during the five years
following labored earnestly for the enterprise and contributed greatly to its
success. In 1903 he was made president of the company, which responsible
office he held for several years, disposing of his entire interest in 1908 in
order to devote all of his attention to the water-works company and his
profession. In addition to the large and important work in process of con-
struction in Lafayette, the company did an extensive business in the building
of concrete and steel bridges in many other counties and cities, the superior
order of their work creating a wide demand, which at times it is impossible
to meet.
Mr. Vawter was the originator of the West Lafayette Water Works
Company, and in 1893 took an active interest in its organization and the con-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY^ IND. 923
struction of the plant. Under his able management the enterprise was
pushed to completion and thus far the work has added to his already well-
earned honors as a master of his craft and the inaugurator of large and im-
important undertakings. He has been at the head of this company as presi-
dent since its organization.
The domestic life of Mr. Vawter dates from May 3, 1893, when he
contracted a matrimonial alliance with Helen Eugene Read, of Wilmington,
Delaware, a daughter of James S. and Frances M. Read, the union being
blessed with one child, Wallace Read Vawter, whose birth occurred on the
19th of October, 1902. In all that makes for the good of the city materially
or otherwise, Mr. Vawter has always taken an active part. He was at the
head of the Local Option League, and a fearless champion of the cause in
the attempt to rid Lafayette of the liquor traffic. He has ever stood for law
and order and a high standard of citizenship and proposes to continue the
contest for the purity of the home and the salvation of young manhood until
the curse of intemperance shall be forever driven from a city on which it
has so long been a festering plague spot. His work along this and other
lines is in accord with his convictions of duty, and what he has already ac-
complished for a higher order of living is but an earnest of still greater
achievements in the future. In his religious belief, Mr. Vawter is a Baptist
and one of the leading members of the church in West Lafayette, also a
liberal contributor to its support as well as to the maintenance of various
charities and good works. Personally he is of commanding presence, tall,
well formed, and he moves among his fellows as one born to leadership.
Afifable and refined in conversation, genial in manner and a favorite in the
social circle, he has many warm friends in Lafayette and Tippecanoe county,
and stands high in the confidence and esteem of the public.
PHILEMON C. VAWTER.
Seventy-nine years have dissolved in the mists of the past since the birth
of the honored subject of this review. He springs from an old and highly
esteemed pioneer family whose first representatives in the West settled in
Jefferson county, Indiana, as early as 1806, migrating to this state from
Kentucky, though originally from Virginia. These early comers were Wil-
liam Vawter and Frances, his wife, who located on the hill near Madison,
where Mr. Vawter secured a tract of land which he cleared and improved
924 PAST AND PRESENT
and in due time became one of the leading farmers and representative citizens
of his part of the county. He was made captain of a militia company soon
after his arrival and took an active part defending settlers against the In-
dians during the troublous times which marked the pioneer history of south-
ern Indiana. Later, in 1829, the family located in Jennings county.
William and Frances Vawter were the parents of ten children, six sons
and four daughters, only two of whom survive, a daughter who has reached
the ripe old age of eighty-eight years and the subject of this sketch, who is
the youngest of the family and the only one born in Jennings county. Sev-
eral of the children lived to be quite old, one dying in his ninety-fourth vear,
and the majority were past the half century mark when called from the
scenes of their struggles and triumphs.
Philemon C. Vawter was born in Jennings county. Indiana, November
7, 1830, and spent his childhood and- youth on the home farm near Vernon.
While still a mere lad he attended a three-months subscription school taught
in a small log building furnished with slab benches, the writing desk a rough
board resting on pegs driven in the wall, the room being warmed by means
of a large fireplace with clay chimney and lighted by two long narrow win-
dows, one containing oiled paper, the other filled with glass. In this back-
woods college young Vawter obtained a knowledge of the rudimentary
branches, reading, arithmetic and geography, and learned to write with a
goose quill pen, using the juice of pokeberries for ink. By diligent appli-
cation, however, he soon mastered the common branches and in due time
was sufficiently advanced to enter Franklin College, which he attended at
intervals for about five years, completing the prescribed course during that
time and leaving the institution with a high standing in all of his classes.
In 1855 Mr. Vawter came to Lafayette, and during the ensuing three
years taught in the schools of the town, discontinuing the work in 1858 on
account of the public funds being cut ofif by the supreme court. Returning
to Jennings county, he worked on the farm in the summer time and taught
in the country schools during the winter months until i860, when he went
to Decatur county where he had charge of a school for one vear and earned
an honorable reputation as a capable instructor and successful disciplinarian.
Meantime he accepted a position in a dry goods store and between clerking
and teaching he spent the time until 1863, when he returned to Tippecanoe
county and took up the profession of civil engineering, to which he devoted
his attention for a number of years thereafter, serving eighteen years as
county surveyor, five years as deputy in the ofifice, five years as city engineer
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 925
and ten years as engineer of West Lafayette, besides doing a great deal
of private work the meanwhile in his own and other counties and cities.
]\Ir. Vawter has seen West Lafayette grow from a wooded tract into a
flourishing city of five thousand inhabitants, much of the progress of the
place being due to his interest and energy in inaugurating and carrying for-
ward many important improvements. The city is modern in all the term
implies, and with its excellent streets and sidewalks, electric lights and water-
works, street railway, etc., has taken on not a few metropolitan airs and
compares favorably with any other city of its size in the state.
Mr. Vawter's long and honorable career as a civil engineer has kept
him prominently before the public and there are today in the county of
Tippecanoe few men as \\ell known and highly esteemed. As a matter of
his profession he has rendered valuable service in a number of important
public enterprises and as a citizen his influence has ever been on the right
side of every moral issue. Of noble aims and high ideals, he has always
had the good of his fellowmen in view and to this end all movements for
the advancement of the community along social, moral and religious as well
as material lines have found in him a willing and generous helper.
On November 25, 1858, Mr. Vawter was united in marriage with
Sylvia Hunter, daughter of Joseph and Rhoda Ann Hunter, of Jennings
county, a union blessed with two children, Everett B., whose biography ap-
pears elsewhere in these pages, and William H., whose birth occurred in
1868, and who, after devoting ten years to the drug business in Lafayette,
became traveling salesman for a wholesale drug house, which position he
now holds.
Mr. Vawter is a Republican in politics and well versed in the history
of parties and in the current issues of the day. He keeps abreast of the
times on all matters of public import and takes an active interest in ques-
tions concerning which men and parties divide, and is a man of strong con-
victions, whose opinions carry weight and command respect. He was reared
under the influence of the Baptist church, to which both his parents be-
longed, and for a number of years he has been a zealous and respected mem-
ber of the church of that denomination in the city of his residence.
In person Mr. Vawter is somewhat below the average stature, of small,
though strong and well-developed physique, clear cut features and pleasant
countenance, his appearance, bearing and manner indicating the man of
thought and action who has always stood for the right and whose optimism
makes his presence a welcome addition to the social circle. His life has
926 PAST AND PRESENT
•been somewhat strenuous and, though well advanced in years, he is still
alert and vigorous and his friends unite in the wish that he may be spared
to bless the world by his personality and influence for many years to come.
BROWN BROCKENBROUGH.
A man of high intellectual attainments and possessed of those innate
qualities that indicate the well-bred gentleman, the late Brown Brocken-
brough, of Lafayette, was an example well worth emulating. His life was
led along such high planes of endeavor, was so consistent to all that is noble
and genteel, that the youth, standing at the parting of the ways, whose for-
tunes are yet matters for future years to determine, may study it with un-
usual benefit. Mr. Brockenbrough was born at Jacksonville, Illinois. :May
15, 1834, where he lived until he was nine years of age, at which time he,
with his mother, took up his residence at Brownville, New York, where his
early education was acquired in the common schools, which he attended until
thirteen years of age. His father, x\ustin Brockenbrough, was a native of
Virginia, a representative of as fine an old Southern family as ever honored
the Old Dominion state with its residence. He was a graduate of West
Point Military Academy, having had from his youth predilections for an
army life. After his graduation he held a high position in the United States
army for a number of years. His wife, Mary S. Brown, was a woman of
more than ordinary attainments, a daughter of Major Gen. Jacob Brown, who
became distinguished for his gallantry during the war of 181 2. After re-
signing his position in the army, Austin Brockenbrough located in Jackson-
ville. Illinois. But being a man of such pronounced ability, he was singled
out by the government officials at Washington and called upon to serve the
United States in an official capacity at Key West. Florida, in which city his
death occurred in 1843.
When Brown Brockenbrough was thirteen years of age he moved to
Circleville, Ohio, with his older brother, and he was there engaged as clerk
in a general merchandise store. These early years of commercial training
served him well in after life, having turned his experiences to practical
account. He remained at Circleville for nearly five years, then located at
Louisville, Kentucky, where he secured ready employment in a bank as book-
keeper, which position he very creditably filled for a period of three years,
or until he had reached his majority. He then accepted a position as book-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 927
keeper of the State Bank of Indiana, at Lafayette, which place he held, giv-
ing his usual excellent service until the firm was united with the National
State Bank of this city, the present National Fowler Bank being a con-
tinuation of that institution. Being especially fitted by nature and training
for this great line of the world's commercial industries, Mr. Brockenbrough
held tenaciously to it, with great credit and honor, for nearly a half century,
having during that period successfully performed his duties as bookkeeper,
teller, assistant cashier and cashier. He ascended, rung by rung, all un-
aided, the ladder of success, by reason of his indomitable will and indefati-
gable energ}', removing every obstacle he encountered until he had reached
the goal of prosperity and a position in the business world second to none
of his contemporaries. Honesty, industry and strict fidelity to duty, coupled
with a deep and abiding piety gave to his every achievement the crown of
righteous success amid important commercial circles. His death occurred
Julv 21, 1905, at York Beach, Maine, while there on vacation.
The chapter bearing on the domestic life of Mr. Brockenbrough dates
from September i8, i860, when, at Rochester, New York, he was united
in marriage with Eliza Rich, who was born in Penfield, New York, six
miles from the city of Rochester. July 17, 1838, the daughter of Giles B.
and Eleanor C. (Ross) Rich, both natives of New York, whose family con-
sisted of seven children, three of whom are now living, two daughters and
one son. The ;Rich family, as well as the Rosses, were old and well estab-
lished families in the Empire state, members of each having distinguished
themselves in various walks of life. When Eliza Rich became of school ag'e
she entered Miss Allen's Seminary, later studied at Clover Street Seminary,
both located in Rochester, New York, or near there. After graduating she
taught a part of one year. She accompanied her father to Lafayette, Indiana,
two years prior to her marriage, the family having come to the West while
the Wabash railroad was building, Mr. Rich having been a contractor on
that road. He was a well-known business man and had a wide acquaintance
in the commercial world.
To Mr. and Mrs. Brown Brockenbrough seven children were born, five
of whom are living at this writing, four sons and one daughter, namely:
Kirby Rich Brockenbrough was born in Lafayette, June 19, 1862, married
Grace Botsford, of Cleveland, Ohio, on October 13, 1886, and one child.
Louise, born August 14, 1889, has graced this union. Mr. Brockenbrough
is agent for the Phoenix Life Insurance Company, and he lives at Providence.
Rhode Island. Brown Brockenbrough, Jr., was born in Lafayette, Indiana,
April 29, 1869, married Grace Stillwell Anderson, of Lafayette, on Tnne Q,
928 PAST AND PRESENT
1897, and they have one bright little daughter, Matilda Belle, born November
13. 1907. Mr. Brockenbrough is connected with the National Fowler Bank,
and he is also vice-president of the Mulberry State Bank, at Mulberry, Clin-
ton county, Indiana. He is a very capable and successful business man as
well as a refined gentleman in every respect, ^^'illard G. Brockenbrough was
born in Lafayette, August 27. 1871. is an optician by profession, being an
expert in his line ; he has remained single and is living at home. Franklin
G. Brockenbrough was born in Lafayette, August 4, 1874, married Ruth
Sutherland. September 9, 1903, of Riverside, California: they now reside at
Oakland, California, where he is engaged in tlie insurance business and is
known as a man of industry and integrity. Eleanor Brockenbrough, born
i\Lirch 12. 1880. has remained single and is living at home. She received her
primary education, as also did her brothers, in the local public and high
schools. She then attended Ferry Hall Seminary at Lake Forest Illinois.
All her brothers were students at Purdue University.
The beautiful Brockenbrough home is situated at No. 607 North Sixth
street, Lafayette, on the site where the old Tippecanoe county fair was first
held. It is an imposing modern structure, elegantly furnished and sur-
rounded by attractive lawns. Here the many friends of the family often
gather, finding Mrs. Brockenbrough and her estimable daughter admirable
hostesses.
SAMUEL L. MITCHELL.
Dependent \ery largely upon his own resources from early youth, the
gentleman whose life record is briefly outlined in the following paragraphs
has attained no insignificant success, and though he may have, like many an-
other man of afifairs, met with some misfortune and encountered many ob-
stacles, he has pressed steadily forward, e^■er willing to work for the end
which he has in view ; consequently he has become one of the representative
business men of Tippecanoe county, being the owner of fine land in Indiana
and Lake county, Michigan, and a stockholder in one of the best banks in the
former state.
Samuel L. Mitchell, of Battle Ground, Indiana, was born in Ireland, Oc-
tober 18, 1855, and. like a great number of the sons of that historic little isle,
has prospered in the newer and freer laud of this western republic. He is
the son of John and Christena (Flack) Mitchell, being of good Scotch-Irish
stock, both ha\ing been him in the Emerald Isle. They were people of
SAMUEL L. MITCHELL.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 929
Sterling attributes, and desiring to give their children better opportunities
than they had been accustomed to, emigrated to America in 1864, landing on
the shores of the New World on the 3d of July and came at once to Tippe-
canoe county in the heart of the then great and growing West. They were
so poor that they did not have money enough to pay their passage to Amer-
ica, but, being a hard worker and economical, he succeeded, first renting a
farm, and by dint of hard work finally became the owner of one hundred and
sixty acres in Benton county, Indiana. Mrs. John Mitchell did not live to
see the final establishment of the comfortable and commodious home which
she and her husband had begun to make, she having been called to her rest
in 1869. Mr. Mitchell survived until 1892, when he joined her in the silent
land. He was a good and industrious man and a faithful member of the
Methodist Episcopal church. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. John
Mitchell, of whom six are living at this writing, as follows: A. N., of
Saunemine, Illinois; Essa, wife of Henry Gary, of Benton county, Indiana;
J. E., of White county, this state; Ingram is the owner of one thousand acres
of land in Benton county, this state, where he makes his home; Mrs. Jennie
Fenters, who lives in Newton, this state; Samuel L., of this review.
Samuel L. Mitchell received a fairly good common-school education,
having applied himself in a diligent manner to his text-books during the
winter months and assisted his father with the farm w(irk in the summer,
evincing a liking for agricultural pursuits; consequently it is not strange that
he should select this vocation as his life work. By hard work, economy and
good management he prospered from the first and he is now the owner of
three hundred and thirteen acres of well improved land in Tippecanoe town-
ship, this county, also five hundred and sixty acres in Michigan, besides hav-
ing considerable property interests in the city of Lafayette and a stockholder
in the National City Bank at Lafayette. He deserves a great deal of credit
for what he has accomplished considering the fact that he began life poor and
has accumulated a competency by reason of persistent industry and honest
dealing with his fellowmen. He seems to possess natural business ability of
a high order which seldom leads him astray in any transaction.
Mr. Mitchell's private life is pleasant and harmonious, having always
been a lover of home and its quiet, wholesome environment, avoiding public
office and public display, and he is regarded by those who know him best as a
good father, husband and neighbor. — in short, a Christian gentleman.
One of the most interesting chapters in the life of Samuel L. Mitchell
is that bearing on his domestic life, which began March 26. 1883, when he
espoused Rachel McConnell, of Oxford, Indiana, a larlv of fine personal traits
(59)
,^39 P--^ST AND PRESENT
and tlie representative of a fine okl family. That Mrs. Mitchell has been a
great helj) and inspiration to her husband is evinced from the fact that at
their marriage Mr. Mitchell owned only one hundred and eightv acres of
land, but since then his progress has been steady and certain.
Three interesting children have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Mitch-
ell, namely: Okah May, torn August 3, 1885, who graduated from the Bat-
tle Ground high school, having made a splendid record there for scholarship,
is still a member of the home circle: Marion P. was born August 20, 1897,
and Helen E. first saw the light of day on August 4, 1900. Mr. Miitchell
has a modern and beautifully located residence where the numerous friends
of the family delight to gather and where hospitality and good cheer are
ever dispensed. The entire family are members of the Battle Ground Meth-
odist Episcopal church, Mr. Mitchell being a trustee in the same and he liber-
ally supports its various lines of laudable work. He is also class leader and
steward in this denomination. He also takes an active interest in the Sundav
school, having taught a class for many years, in fact, he is considered by the
local congregation as a pillar in the church here, being one of the church's
most able supporters, both financially and spiritually. In his political rela-
tions he votes the Republican ticket, always giving his undivided support to
the success of the party.
WILLIAM HERROIAX, JR.
The gentleman whose life history the biographist here takes under review
is one of these strong, sturdy characters who has contributed largely to the
material welfare of the community where he lives, being a business man of
more than ordinary sagacity and foresight, and as a citizen public-spirited
and progressive in all that the term implies. But wdien w-e consider the ex-
cellent quality of his New England blood, drawn from sterling Scotch-Irish-
English ancestry, it is not surprising that he has developed into a man that
does things.
William Herriman, Jr., was born in Salem, Massachusetts. November 25,
1844, the son of William and Mary (Troy) Herriman, the former born in
the north of Ireland, of Scotch parents, and the mother born in England.
They came to the United States when young and settled in IMassachusetts.
They became the parents of six; children, five 'boys and one daughter, of
whom William, Jr., of this review is the only one living. His early educa-
tion was obtained in the common schools of Massachusetts. He took a liking
to the shoe business early in his youth and began to learn the details of the
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 93 1
same. Coming west in 1865. he located in Lafayette. Indiana, in January
of that year and soon began the manufacture of shoes on the corner of Fourth
and South streets, being in the employ of Falley & Hoes. Later he followed
the same business on the corner of South and Second streets for himself for
a period of fi\-e years. He then moved to Canyon City. Colorado, where
he took a contract in the state penitentiary to manufacture shoes. Remain-
ing there two years, he leased his property there and returned to Lafayette
in 1884, where he again took up the manufacture of shoes, which he fol-
lowed until machines came in use. He was very successful in his work, hav-
ing created a good demand for all he could produce, being a very skilled
workman. He is at this writing a traveling salesman for a well-known shoe
house, and, owing to his extensive knowledge of the shoe business and his
innate qualities as a salesman, he is very successful in this line of work.
Mr. Herriman was married on December 22. 1864, to Mary Roach,
daughter of ^Martin and Anna Roach, of Vermont, but natives of West-
minster, Windham county, England. To Mr. and Mrs. Herriman five chil-
dren, a son and four daughters, were born, namely: Catherine L., born
in 1865, died in infancy; William A., born July 19, ,1866, died in in-
fancy; Mary Josephine, born August 19, 1867, died in infancy; Nellie L.,
born July 6, 1869, married Walter L. Dickerson, August 21, 1895. and they
are the parents of one son, William, who is now thirteen years old ; Lillie
May. born September 14, 1878. married i\mos Mitchell, and is the mother of
one child, Mary Imogene Mitchell. i\Irs. William Herriman died September
13, 1902, and is sleeping the sleep of the just in Springvale cemetery. She
was a woman of many commendable attributes of character.
Mr. Herriman is a member of Lafayette Lodge, No. 123, Free and
Accepted Masons, also Chapter No. 3, and Commandery No. 3. He also
belongs to the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, thirty-second degree.
He was made a Mason June 6, 1866. He belongs to Friendship Lodge, No.
22, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Lafayette, having joined the
latter in 1883. He is a member of the First Presbyterian church, and is one
of the first three now living who gave money toward the erection of a church
edifice. He votes the Republican ticket, but is not a party man, always cast-
ing his vote for the best man, locally. He takes a lively interest in whate\er
tends to promote the welfare of Tippecanoe county in any way.
Although now sixty-five years of age, Mr. Herriman is apparently much
younger, being well preserved and of a sprightly and cheerful disposition.
As a result of his friendly and hospitable nature he has won and retained a
host of friends.
932 PAST AND PRESENT
JOHN W. WHALEN.
Perhaps no member of that honorable corps known as "country teachers"'
is better known than the gentleman concerning whom it is now the intention
to furnish some biographical details. He is pre-eminently a country teacher,
all his work has been done in the district schools and it has covered a period
of almost two decades. Mr. Whalen's early life was one of struggle and
hardship. As a child he found himself confronted by poverty and privation,
want, and sometimes hunger. His father was a common laborer and even
when he had work he was put to it to provide for his family in any but the
most scanty way. He was unable to educate his children and after he died
they were left to shift for themselves under conditions calculated to chill
the most courageous of boys. John W. Whalen, son of Thomas and Bridget
(Linet) Whalen, was born at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, September i. 1857,
and lost his father by death when eleven years old. x\s a child he had been
brought to Tippecanoe county in 1859, and the death of the parents threw
him and the other five children on the charities of a cold world. After he
reached maturity Mr. Whalen mourned over his lost opportunity to receive
an education and longed for a chance to make up this great deficiency. It
came in time and he availed himself of it as best he could. He succeeded in
attending a normal at Logansport and put in two years at Purdue during
the early eighties, studying in the department devoted to pedagogy-. Fin-
ishing ofif by another term at Logansport, Mr. Whalen began in 1884 the
pedagogic career which has continued since without a break, with the excep-
tion of some five years when ill health compelled him to lay oflf. In his
early manhood he did some structural iron work during the summers, a trade
he had mastered in youth, but this was only an interlude from teaching.
Altogether he devoted eighteen years to educational work in the district
schools in six dififerent localities and he has long been regarded as one of
the county's successful instructors. He was from the beginning of his career
an enthusiastic Democrat and always active in the ranks as a local worker.
During the last campaign, his party nominated him as candidate for trustee
of Fairfield township and at the election held November 8. 1908, he was
elected, taking office on the first day of the new year. He showed a great
strength before the people of the township in which he had taught thirteen
years and was practically known to everytody. Being a man of sound
judgment, good business sense, watchful of the public interests and well
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 933
posted concerning the needs of the schools, none doubt that lie will make a
popular and efficient township trustee.
In 1 89 1 Mr. Whalen was united in marriage with Margaret Borsch,
a native of Tippecanoe county, and their union has resulted in the birth of
one child, Walter D., who was born May 27, 1893, and is at present a student
of promise. ?»Ir. Whalen deserved an unusual amount of credit for the suc-
cessful light he made to overcome early disadvantages; especially has his
career shown the advantages of obtaining an education, of which he was
deprived in youth, but made amends by hard application in later life. He has
deserved well of the people for his fine school work and t'le people have
rewarded him with an influential oilice.
CHARLES KURTZ.
For more than sixty-three years the name of this familv has been fa-
miliar in Lafayette and it is not too much to say that the head of the house
has been highly esteemed during his long residence within the borders of
Tippecanoe county. He is perhaps the oldest of the city's settlers, if not the
oldest man now living in the community, and though he is resting after the
labors of an arduous life, enjoying the repose which comes from duty well
performed, all of the older generation remember him with pleasure as long
one of the factors in the business life of Lafayette. We are indebted to
Germany for this fine contribution to American citizenship, and he is a tvpe
of a class to whom this country is greatly indebted for her upbuilding. Jacob
and Elizabeth (Snyder) Kurtz were farmers in Germany during the troublous
period immediately succeeding the Napoleonic wars. The father, who was
a man of enterprise, also did a good deal of trading and in 1853 made a
visit to the United States, but does not seem to have remained a great while
before returning to his native land. However, he came over again and Ixith
himself and wife died at Lafayette, their remains being interred in the Green-
bush cemetery, near the city. This worthy couple were parents of fifteen
children, nearly all of whom have long since passed away. Caroline, who
married Jacob Bower, and Mrs. Charlotte Wiseman, of Cincinnati, are the
only surviving daughters.
Charles Kurtz, sole surviving son of his father's large familv, was bcrn
in Germany June 29, 1825, and remained in his native country for sixteen
years, during which time he acquired some education and assisted in the
934 P-^ST AND PRESENT
parental farm work. In 1841 he decided to cast his lot with the great re-
public that had allured so many of his nationality and after the usual ocean
trip we find him working for a butcher in Cincinnati. He continued in this
employment for four years, mastered the details of the business and then
came to Lafa}-ette to look around for a location. In 1846 he located here
and permanently embarked in the butcher's business and in time became one
of the city's fixtures. In 1895 'i^ retired, after an active career of nearly
fifty years in the same pursuit. ]\Ir. Kurtz figured considerably in politics
on the Democratic side and was the first councilman from the sixth ward.
In 1 87 1 he was elected county commissioner from the first district, but re-
signed after serving two years. In 1904 he was elected trustee of Fairfield
township, and served until January i, 1909, making a commendable record
for economy and good business judgment. During his administration the
tax levy was reduced from fifty-five cents to twenty-two cents. Mr. Kurtz
turned mnre than ten thousand dollars over to his successor and left the
township without a dollar of indebtedness. ^Ir. Kurtz is a charter member of
the German Methodist church and has served as trustee since its founding.
Mr. Kurtz was married June 27, 1850, to a Miss Ruger, whose birth
occurred under such romantic conditions as to justify detailed mention. While
her parents were crossing the gulf of Mexico in a steamboat called "The
Mississippi Homer" the mother brought forth a girl baby and quite naturally
the passengers were sympathetic over the occurrence. So when the boat
reached the me uth of the great river preparatory to coming up to New
Orleans, all hands insisted that there must be a christening, and that the
ocean-born baby should be named ^lary Ann Homer Mississippi Ruger. Mr.
and Mrs. Kurtz became the parents of fourteen children : William and
Louise, residents of Chicago; Amelia, deceased; Charles, a resident of
Lafayette: George W. and McClellan, deceased: Elizabeth, of Lafayette;
Mary, deceased: Anna, of Lafayette; Edward, of Chicago; Catherine; Clare,
wife of the auditor of Tippecanoe county; Belle, and Ray, the latter deceased.
DENNIS T. SULLIVAN.
A varied, adventurous and much-traveled life has been the experience
of this well-known citizen of Lafayette. It has been his lot to go far and
visit manv places; to see human nature in its dift'erent phases; to learn what
TIPPEC.\NOE COUNTY, IND. 935
hard times as well as prosperity means to men ; to make money easily and
spend it freely. This accumulation of information gathered by actual con-
tact with the world makes Mr. Sullivan an entertaining companion. Alto-
gether he has met with success and as evidence of his acquirements he has
often been called upon by the people to fill responsible positions. The family
originated in Ireland, from which historic land the elder Dennis Sullivan
emigrated to this country in the early thirties. At Fort Wayne, Indiana,
he met and married Catherine Welsh, an Irish girl who came over some
years before, and the couple located at Lafayette about 1834. The father was
foreman in one of the city's early packing houses and was noted for his
industry, capacity for hard work and genial disposition. His son, Dennis
T. Sullivan, was born at Lafayette, Indiana, July 16, 1847, ^^'^ obtained
most of his early education in the parochial school, supplemented by a course
in Kennedy's Commercial College. Having learned the butcher's trade, he
worked in a retail establishment until the completion of his twenty-second
year, when the roving fever took possession of him and he determined to
visit distant parts. Going to Texas at a time when the long-horned cattle
were the state's principal product, he engaged as a drover to accompany
herds on the trail to Kansas. He followed this occupation for two years and
then worked at his trade for some time in Kansas City. In succession, he
resided for short periods in Omaha and Council Bluffs and then spent a year
and a half in Chicago, working as a butcher in all these cities. Going to
Watseka, Illinois, he got into politics, was elected town marshal, served two
years, resigned and returned to his original starting place. This was in 187s
and after a short rest he resumed his work of killing cattle for a Lafayette
firm. Subsequently he worked two years at Indianapolis, but eventually came
liack to his old home and followed butchering until the spring of 1881, when
he was elected marshal of Lafayette for a term of four years. In 1885 Mr.
Sullivan obtained employment with the Dryfus packing house, with which
he has since continued and now occupies the responsible position of depart-
ment foreman. For over thirteen years Mr. Sullivan has represented the
first ward in the city council and in igo6 was elected councilman-at-large.
During this long period he has been quite an influential factor in the city
government, serving as committee chairman in connection with various im-
provements. J\Ir. Sullivan has never married. He is a member of St. Ann's
Catholic church, of the Young Men's Flibernian Society and a liberal con-
tributor to good causes. There is no more popular man in Lafayette nor
one that stands higher for honesty in his dealings and general integrity of
character.
936 PAST AND PRESENT
JONAS A. PETERSON.
Indiana has caught but a fractional portion of the vakiable immigration
from Sweden, which has so enriched other states of the north and west. She
seems to be too far below the isothermal line along which emigration in-
stinctively travels, to suit the people of the cooler latitudes of Scandinavia.
What has come, however, is made up of first-class people, always poor at
first but working out to success by reason of their industrious and saving
habits. W'e have a few excellent examples in Tippecanoe county and none
more worthy than the family of Peterson. Jonas A. Peterson, a son of very
poor parents, was born in Sweden April 3, 183 1. His father, Peter Peterson,
was a farmer in a small way and his mother's maiden name was Sarah
Jacobs. Jonas A., who kept fairly well informed, soon decided that Sweden,
while an excellent country in many ways, gave but scant opportunity for her
poor boys to- rise to affluence. The great republic beyond the seas offered
much better chance and to this strange land he determined to go. It was in
1859, when twenty-eight years old, that the lone emigrant landed at the
port of New York, and he lost no time in coming West. Upon reaching
Fountain county, Indiana, he made an accounting of stock and found he had
just two dollars left. Temporarily he took what he could get and chopped
wood and split rails for a living. The next move was to hire out to a farmer
at ten dollars per month and board, which arrangement lasted several years,
with but little improvement from a financial standpoint. Eventually he lo-
cated in Tippecanoe county and at present his original two dollars has in-
creased to thirty thousand dollars, representing the price of three hundred
and twenty-eight acres of land which he owns, valued at ninety dollars per
acre. But he has other property and all of it goes to show what a willing
heart and strong hands can do to overcome adversity.
March 14. 1872, Mr. Peterson married Susanna Paul, who was born in
Pennsylvania, March 16, 1839, and came to Tippecanoe county, in 1852. Of
their five children, three survive, namely: Charles P., born December 14,
1874, married Emma Elenfritz, and lives at Lafayette; Francis P., born
June 24, 1877, remains at home unmarried; Sarah L., born July 30, 1880, is
the wife of Henry Dunk. Mr. Peterson is a member of the Lutheran church
and his wife a Presbyterian. In politics, Mr. Peterson is a Republican, but
not an ofifice seeker or mixer with politicians. He is an honest, upright man
who does his duty to all as he sees it, pays '^'s taxes promptly, wrongs no
TIPPECANOE COUNTY^ IND. 93J
one and endeavors in every way to follow the Golden Rule. The whole family
reflect the character of their parents and no people in the township are more
respected for their quiet worth and unobtrusive conduct.
FERDINAND DRYFUS.
No business man in the city of Lafayette is regarded with higher fa\-or
than the gentleman to a brief review of whose interesting career the reader's
attention is directed in the following paragraphs. He is one of those public-
spirited men who, while looking after his own interests, does not neglect to
discharge his duties in fostering the upbuilding of the community in general.
Ferdinand Dryfus, the well-known secretary and treasurer of the Dryfus
Packing and Provision Company, of Lafayette, Indiana, was born in Europe
in the month of March, i860, and when a lad of only thirteen years of age
he embarked for the United States, landing on the shores of the New \^'orkl
in the year 1873. His brother, Leopold Dryfus, had preceded him and was then
engaged in the meat business in Lafayette, this state, and with him Ferdinand
was associated in business until 1880, in which year a partnership was formed.
the younger Dryfus having been merely in the employ of the elder Dryfus
prior to that time. Young Dryfus took a third interest in the business,
which he had by that time learned to conduct in a most successful manner.
The firm was known as Dryfus & Sharp in the retail business. In 1881 they
engaged in a wholesale business and began packing pork on a
small scale and a limited capital. In 1886, the business ha\ing
steadily grown, Mr. Sharp's interest was purchased by the Dryfus broth-
ers and the name then changed to the Dryfus Packing and Provision Com-
pany. At that time the plant was not a very extensive one, but it gave prom-
ise of great future development, and from year to year, by able management,
wise foresight and judicious propagation of principles, the business .grew
by leaps and bounds, an immense and far-reaching trade now being carried
on by this plant, the capacity of which is three hundred hogs per day, besides
many cattle, sheep and other animals. Their pay-roll is one of the largest of
any concern in the city, there being about one hundred persons constantly
employed. The plant is modern and up-to-date in every detail, the best
and latest designed machinery l>eing installed in all departments and e\ery-
thing is systematically managed and conveniently arranged. Among the
equipment may be mentioned two ice machines with a capacity of one hun-
938 PAST AND PRESENT
dred tons, and there are nine cooling rooms. Four salesmen are kept on the
road selling the products of the plant which have met with favor for so many-
years that little effort is required to effect large sales. In connection with
a very extensive home trade, consignments of their meats are exported to
foreign countries annually, where there is a constant and ready demand. .\
criterion of the superior quality of the products of the Dryfus plant is the
fact that a large percentage of their customers are of many years' standing.
It is deemed that sufficient has been said to show that this is a home institu-
tion of which any community might well be pruud and which has contributed
much to the substantial upbuilding of the city of Lafayette and vicinity.
Although Ferdinand Dryfus is the manager of this great institution,
which necessarily takes a great deal of time and painstaking attention, yet
he has many other interests, being connected with the Merchants", Farmers',
Traders', and First National Banks of Lafayette, as a stockholder, all sound
and thriving institutions; and he is also interested in the Lafavette Telephone
Comi)any, which is an extensive business at this writing. Mr. Drvfus is
also a stockholder in the bank at Boswell, Indiana.
An interesting chapter in the lite-record of Ferdinand Dr\fus is that
bearing on his domestic life, which dates from the year 1886, when he was
united in the bonds of matrimony with Flora Mayer. She is the representa-
tive of an old and influential family, having been born in the city of Lafayette
where she was educated and where the major portion of her life has been
spent. The cozy home of Mr. and Mrs. Dryfus has been blessed by the
birth of two winsome and talented daughters. Fannie, born in the year 1888,
is a musician of much promise, being a graduate of the School of Music of
Cincinnati, Ohio. As a result of her musical talent and other praisewnrthv
accomplishments she is held in high esteem by a wide circle of friends. Belle,
the second child, was born in 1891 and is now a student of music in Indian-
apolis, Indiana, being very apt in her studies and evincing much of the esthetic
nature displayed by her elder sister. This happy family is prominent in the
best social circles of Lafayette, and each member of the same belongs to the
Jewish church of that city, of which they are liberal supporters and regular
attendants. In his fraternal relations Mr. Dryfus belongs to the Benevolent
and Protective Order of Elks. In his political relations he is an unswerving
Democrat and he is always interested in the success of his party's principles.
He has served in the capacity of councilman from the third ward for many
years, in a manner that has won the commendation of all, and he is at this
writing councilman-at-large. His only aim in his official capacity is to bene-
fit the poor whose able champion he has ever been, as is shown by his record
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 939
when the great gas syinlicate made an effort to raise the price of their product,
the voice of Mr. Dryfus being heard in defense of the poor. He was then a
member of the committee on franchises. He has long been liberal in his
(donations to the worthy poor and many acts of charitable kindness could
be cited, but in this iiumanitarian work he is unostentatious and quiet, desir-
ing to avoid publicity. He is always on the best of terms with his employes,
for he beliexes in mutual interests, that which is for their good resulting also
in good for himself, and there has never been a strike of any consequence
among his men, which show-s the workings of this spirit of altruism, without
which the highest good cannot be accomplished. His farm of one hundred
and sixty acres is managed in a manner as to be fruitful of the best results,
the place being highly improved and kept in first-class condition. Mr. Dryfus
is well-known to all classes in Tippecanoe county, admired and esteemed by
all, especially those who have known him best, been associated with him the
closest and the many unfortunates whom he has helped and encouraged.
WILLIAM GLAZE.
A citizen who by his long residence in Tippecanoe county has won the
confidence and esteem of his many acquaintances by reason of his public
spirit, honesty and industry is William Glaze, one of the best-known citizens
of Sheffield township. He was born in Brown county, Ohio, November 15,
1837. the son of James and Mary (Phillips) Glaze, who grew up in Brown
county. Ohio, and mirried there in 1836. In 1845 they mo\-ed to Montgom-
ery county, Indian^, locting on a farm. Two vears later thev moved to
Randolph township, Tippecanoe county, and took up general farming and
got a good stirt there, but in 1858 they moved to Illinois where they en-
gaged in farming. :\Irs. James Glaze survived but two years after moving
there, dying in i860, but her husband remained in Illinois until 1895 when he
returned to Montgomery cnunty. Indiana, and lived there until his death, in
1901. He was an excellent farmer and a good citizen whom evervbodv re-
spected. To Mr. and ]\Irs. James Glaze sixteen children were Ijnrn, namelv :
William; Jo.seph and George (twins). Nathaniel, Charles, John; Sarah I.
and Retta A. (twins), Martha, Stephen, Malilah, Ruth. Mary E., Thomas,
-Albert and Amanda. By a second marriage. James Glaze liecame the father
of one child, a son, named Ira.
940 PAST AND PRESENT
William Glaze, of this review, was reared on the farm on which he
worked until he was eighteen years old, when he was crippled by being cut
with an ax, which disabled him from farm work. He was educated in the
common schools. When eighteen years of age he began clerking in a store
and soon had an excellent knowledge of merchandising, which he followed
for a period of ten years, when he returned to farming.
Mr. Glaze was married on February 17, 1862, to Isabelle Young, who
was born at Dayton, Indiana, September 6. 1844, and was reared in Tippe-
canoL- cnunty, Indiana. Her father was known as an honest, hard-working
man in bis cummunity. To !Mr. and ]\lrs. William Glaze five children were
born, three of whom are living at this writing, namely: James A., who is
farming in this county; Jesse F., also a farmer in this county; George N. is
in the mercantile business with his father at Dayton, Indiana.
After making a success of farming, William Glaze decided to finish his
business career in the mercantile line, consequently in March, 1907, he pur-
chased a stock of goods in Dayton and has since been conducting very suc-
cessfully a general store under the firm name of William Glaze & Son. They
have built up an extensive trade and are now enjoying a very liberal patron-
age with the surrounding country. In fact. Mr. Glaze has made a success
at wliate\er he lias undertaken, being a man who sticks closely to whatever
he has in hand. He learned the carpenter's trade and did some contracting,
and becnme a very good workman.
In politics Mr. Glaze is a Republican and has always taken some interest
in local affairs of whatever nature that was calculated to benefit his com-
munity. On November 3, 1898, he was elected trustee of Sheffield township,
and is very ably discharging the duties of the same. 'He is known to be
strictlv honest and trustworthv.
CHARLES TURNER.
This sterling and honored citizen of \\'ayne township, Tippecanoe coun-
ty, is the popular trustee of the township and the owner of one of the good
farms in his locality, a man in whom the utmost confidence has been reposed
by those who know him liest as a result of his life of unyielding fidelity to
right ]5rinci|)les. Charles Turner was born in! the township where he has
since made his home, his birth occurring on March 9, 1857, the son of James
and Elizabeth N. (Emerson) Turner, both still living, making their home
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 94I
in Westpoint, this county, where they are highly respected, having hved
their long lives industriously and honorably.
Charles Turner is the oldest member of a family of eight children. He
was reared upon the home farm in Wayne township where he assisted with
the work during the summer months, mastering the details of husbandry,
and attending the district schools during the brief winter months, receiving
a limited but serviceable education. He found it an irksome task to pore
over text-books all day, and consequently was kept at home to work, which
he liked better. He remained under his parental roof-tree until twenty-three
years old.
]\Ir. Turner was married in 1880 to Cata K. Dudleston. a native of
Clinton county. Indiana, where she was born September 12, 1859. She was
educated in the district schools of this county and has proved to be a very
faithful helpmeet. To this union six children (living) have been born, and
one child, Elmer G., died in his seventeenth year. Maud, the oldest of the
family, is the wife of William A. Laugheed. a farmer of Wayne township.
Charles W. passed through the common schools; James G. also received a
comman school education ; Louisa E., Iva May and Worth.
When Mr. Turner started out to make his way in the world alone he
had a team of horses, but no other property ; however, he was a hard worker
and a good manager from the first and he has succeeded, now owning a fine
farm of ninety-five acres in one of the best parts of Tippecanoe county, sec-
tion 4, in Burnett's reserve. He has a comfortable dwelling and outbuildings
and all the farming machinery and livestock to make a farmstead, and he
carries on general farming. He has accumulated his present property by
hard work without the aid of any one, and is therefore deserving of the high
standing which he today can claim.
Fraternally Mr. Turner is a member of Shawnee Lodge, No. 129, Free
and Accepted Masons, at Odell Corners ; \\'ayne Lodge, No. 393, Knights of
Pythias, being past chancellor of the same, and he has long taken a very
active interest in lodge work.
Politically he supports the Republican ticket, and he served very cajiably
and acceptably as trustee of Wayne township from 1895 to 1900, and on
November 3, 1908, he was again elected to the same office and is at this writ-
ing discharging the duties of the same in a manner that elicits nothing but
praise from everyone concerned, irrespective of party affiliations. He is re-
garded by his constituents as not only a man of ability but strictly honest,
reliable and trustworthv in all his dealings.
942' PAST AND PRESENT
REV. CHARLES PRESTON FOREMAN. D. D.
The subject of this sketch, who is giving faithful and efficient service
as pastor of the Presbyterian church at Dayton, Tippecanoe county, comes of
a family of preachers, a number of members of the Foreman family having
de\oted their lives to that sacred calling, either at home or in foreign fields.
Indeed, the same may be also said of the Preston family, from which also he
is descended. Though handicapped by poor health, the result of accident,
he is giving his pastorate strong and faithful service, \\hich is fully appre-
ciated by his parishioners.
Rev. Charles Preston Foreman is a native of Ralls county. Missouri,
where he was born on the 21st of November, 1868, and is a son of Rev. John
Preston and Jennie (A\'oods) Foreman. The father was a minister of the
Presbyterian church and was widely known throughout Missouri as a preach-
er and as a friend of education. He was at one time president of the old
Van Rensselaer Academy, which was conducted in connection with the Big
Creek Presbyterian church in Ralls county, Missouri. The subject's mother
died when he was but a youth and he then went to live with his father's
sister. Mrs. B. N. McElroy. also a resident of Ralls county. Here he re-
mained _a number of years, working on the farm in summer and attending
the district school during the winter months. In 1884 he entered the Van
Rensselaer Academy and there pursued his studies until 1887, when he
entered Westminster College at Fulton, Missouri, where he was graduated in
June, 1891, with the degree of Master of Science. Soon afterwards he went
to San Francisco, California, and for a year was employed as bookkeeper in
a mercantile establishment.
Returning then to Missouri, he married, and at once took up the pro-
fession of teaching. He was splendidly qualified for this work and gave
eminent satisfaction wherever he was employed. Among other positions
filled b}- him was that of superintendent of schools at Roachpnrt. ^lissouri.
Subsequently he held the chair of Latin in the Synodical Female College at
Fulton, Missouri.
While engaged in teaching, the subject had felt a definite call to preach
the gospel and during his engagement as teacher at W^estminster he took up
the study of theology under private direction and made such progress that
he was enabled to pass the examinations and in 1895 was ordained a minister
of the Presbyterian church. His first pastorate was at the old Belleview
Presbyterian church at Caledonia. Missouri, which enjoys the distinction of
TIPPECANOE COUNTVj IND. 943
having been the first Presbyterian church organized west of the Mississippi
river. During the following six years he was pastor of the Plattsburg Pres-
byterian church, in the same state. An interesting fact in connection witli
this pastorate was the fact that seventeen years prior to this time ]\Ir. I-'ore-
man had served this same church in the humble capacity of janitor. After
giving this church splendid service, the subject resigned his pastorate in the
fall of 1903 in order to take a post-graduate course in the Kentucky Theolog-
ical Seminary, at Louisville, Kentucky, and, as supplementary to this, in
1905 he completed a correspondence course of the Midland University, of
Chicago, Illinois, and was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Divinity.
After completing his studies in the Kentucky Seminary, Rev. Foreman
accepted a call to the Presbyterian church at New Albany, Indiana, where,
during a pastorate of three years, he had the most marked success. At this
time, however, he was severely injured in an accident on an electric line and
during the following year and a half was compelled to remain out of the
work. His injuries were such that he has not to this day recovered from
their effects, though now able to do effective work. In February, 1908, he
was called to the pulpit of the Presbyterian church at Dayton, and has since
that time been serving this church. He is a man of good address and is
a forceful and eloc^uent speaker. He has done much to advance tlie interests
of the church in Dayton and has won the universal respect and esteem of
the people of the community, regardless of religious belief.
In the fall of 1891 Reverend F'oreman was married to Cora VanMater
Longlcy, rlso a native of Missouri and a relative of Francis McKamie, the
first Presbyterian minister to preach in America. She is of Scotch descent
and is a woman of many splendid qualities of character. Reverend and Mrs.
Foreman are the parents of one child, John Preston, who is now a student in
the Dayton high school.
Fraternally, the subject is a Freemason, having been raised to the sublime
degree of a Master Mason in the lodge at Plattsburg, Missouri. He now be-
longs to Dayton Lodge, No. 103. He is still a member of the chapter of
Royal Arch Masons at Plattsburg, and before leaving there had filled the
position of master of the first veil. He belongs to the camp of Modern
Woodmen of America at New Albany, Indiana, and he and his wife are
members of the Order of the Eastern Star at Dayton.
In every walk of life in which he has been engaged, the subject of this
brief sketch has been faithful to the duties that have confronted him and
at all times has given the very best service in his power to give. He is an
earnest preacher, a faithful pastor and friend, and an enjoyable companion.
one whom to know is to love.
944 PAST AND PRESENT
ISAIAH HARSHMAN.
The Harshman family trace their Hneage to old settlers of Pennsylvania
and for many years they were part of the citizenship of that great common-
wealth. Jacob Harshman, one of the descendants, located in Maryland at an
early day, married Mary Ellis, a woman of Irish descent, farmed in that
state for some years and then removed to Ohio. He secured land in Mont-
gomery county, which he farmed for a while, but later went to Jay county,
Indiana, where his wife died. He returned to his old home in Ohio and
eventually died in JMiami county, that state. Of his nine children three were
living in 1907, Isaiah, Henry and Rebecca, the latter the wife of George Stew-
art, of Star City, Indiana.
Isaiah Harshman, eldest of the survivors, was born in Frederick county,
Maryland, January 17, 1840. He was quite young when his father settled
in Ohio and he grew up amid the hardships of a pioneer boy's life, on one of
the undeveloped farms of the west. When the Civil war broke out, he en-
listed in Company F, Seventy-fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry,
beginning his soldier career in October, 1861. His regiment was assigned to
the Army of the Cumberland, commanded by General Rosecrans, and took
part in the bloody battle of Stone River. Shortly after, during the advance
on Chattanooga, he was taken sick and compelled to go to a hospital. As a
result his health broke down to such a point that he was disabled for duty and
was discharged from the service in September, 1863. Returning to Ohio, he
took it easy for some time, trying to recuperate his health, and when suffi-
ciently recovered accepted a job as driver of a team by the month. In 1876
he located temix>rarily in Pulaski county. Indiana, but two years later re-
mo\-ed to Tippecanoe and has been a constant resident of this county ever
since. Some years after arriving he engaged in the sawmill business and
met with such success that he was able to save enough money to Iniy his
present farm of one hundred eighty .acres. He has, however, retired from
active business and is spending the evening of his life in restful repose.
February 15, 1865, Mr. Harshman married Mary E. Beard, who was
born in Montgomery county, Ohio, September 30, 1843. Eleven years later
he left Ohio for Indiana, as stated above, and most of his active life and all
his business career has been spent in this state. Air. and Mrs. Harshman
have had four children, namely; Francis, who was Ixirn August 6, 1866,
died in 1881 ; Clara, l>orn April 3, 1869. is the wife of Korah Ryder; War-
ren was born Augiist 20. 1872, and Anna, who is the wife of T. W. Pear-
ISAIAH HARSHMAN
MRS. ISAIAH HARSHMAN
TIPPECANOE COUNTYj IND. 945
son, of Ohio, was born July 7, 1875. In politics, Mr. Harshman is a Repub-
lican, though he has never sought ofifice or mingled among the politicians.
He draws a pension of seventeen dollars a month as a recogiiition of his
honorable services to the government during the Civil war, and mingles with
his old comrades as a member of John A. Logan Post, No. 3, Grand Army
of the Republic. He has done his duty as he saw it in all the relations of
life and in retirement has the respect of both those who have known him long
and the "rising generation" which is just coming on the stage of action.
JAMES MADISON GAY.
There was little in the outlook to indicate what Tippecanoe county would
look like in the twentieth century, when the first member of the Gay family
showed up on the prairie. It was nearly eighty years ago and it would have
taken the gift of prophecy to foretell what wonderful changes would take
place before another hundred years rolled by. One Jacob Gay, the founder
of this family, which has since become numerous and influential, came in
1834 and bougli' three hundred acres of Wayne tov.r.ship land, only parti)'
improved. Amony his children was a son named Samuel, who helped t>^
clear the land and in time became an extensive landowner on his own account.
When he died, in 1902, he owned some seven hundred acres of land and was
able to provide well for those dependent upon him. October 11, 1834. he
married Eliza, daughter of William and Nancy Reed, of Ross county, Ohio,
by whom he had seven children: John W., Emeline, Josephine, Seymour,
James Madison, Sanford and Samuel.
James Madison Gay, the fifth of this family, was born December 2j,
1852, on the old homestead, established by his father over seventy years ago.
He knew what it meant to clear an Indiana farm of the early days, as he
worked long and hard assisting his father in the tasks that were never done.
While it was hard work, with its eternal grubbing, ditching, digging and
chopping, it had to be done if a first-class farm was to be established, and
the habits of industry thus acquired, with the accompanying lessons of econ-
omy, were well worth all they cost. The goal in sight, of course, and the
reward held up as an incentive, was the hope of one day owning a home and
a farm of his own, when work would be lighter and profits greater. Mr. Gay
lived to realize this ambition, as he now owns one hundred and eight acres of
(60)
946 PAST AND PRESENT
well improved land. He has the satisfaction of knowing that he himself is
largely responsible for the place, as he put up all the buildings and did all
the improving, until he now has one of the best farms in Wayne township.
January 21, 1874, ^Ir. Gay married Nina Grieve, a native of Scotland.
by whom he has had three children: Mabel, Walter (deceased) and Arthur.
Mrs. Gay is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Gay is a Republican
in politics, though he is no politician and never sought or held office. He
is just a plain, every-day farmer, though an unusually good one, and has been
content to attend to his business, leaving it to others to bother ahout govern-
mental affairs. He is one of the most popular members of the old Gay
familv, has the respect of all his neighbors and is a model citizen in every
respect.
JEREAHAH ^I. DEIBERT.
The history of the loyal sons and representative citizens of Tippecanoe
county would not be complete should the name that heads this review be
omitted. When the fierce fire of rebellion was raging through the Southland.
threatening to destroy the Union, he responded with patriotic fervor to the
call for volunteers and subsequently proved his loyalty to the government he
loved so well. During a useful life in the community where he now lives in
honorable retirement he labored diligently and honestly and at all times has
enjoyed the respect and confidence of those who know him. He has been
loyal to the public welfare and has done what he could to benefit the commu-
nity and advance its welfare.
Jeremiah M. Deibert, who, as his name indicates, is of German ancestrv.
was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, on the 5th day of September. 1841,
and is a son of John and Lydia (Moyer) Deibert, his mother lieing of Eng-
lish descent. The subject's paternal great-grandfather, Michael Deibert, was
born in Germany and was an early settler of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania.
To John and Lydia Deibert were born the following children: Jonathan,
who now lives at Wiseport, Pennsylvania : Polly, who married a Mr. Peters
and resides at AUentown, Pennsylvania: Abbie married a Mr. Shidy and
lives at North Whitehall, Pennsylvania : Simon, a twin brother of the subject
of this sketch, lives at the Soldiers' Home, near Lafayette, having sen-ed
his countrv during the Civil war as a member of Company G, Tenth Regi-
ment Indiana \'olunteer Infantry. John Deibert died in 1861, at the age of
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 947
seventy-one years, and his wife passed away in 1879. at the age of seventy-
nine years.
Jeremiah M. Deibert was reared under the parental roof and received
a good common school education. At the age of sixteen years he entered the
old Wiseport Academy, which he attended two terms. He then apprenticed
himself to learn the wood-working trade in his brother's carriage shop, where
he remained for two and a half years. He then worked as a journevman in
shops at Reading and Allentown, until the outbreak of the Civil war, when.
in September, 1862, he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Seventv-
sixth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, in which he was appointed
a corporal. This command was first assigned to the Armv of the Potomac,
but was later sent to the Department of the Gulf. The subject experienced
much arduous serv'ice, principally in the vicinity of Charleston, South Carolina,
and during six weeks of the time he was in the hospital on account of an attack
of malarial fever. At the close of his period of enlistment, in 1863, he was
honorably discharged at Philadelphia and at once returned to his home. He
resumed work at his trade, at which he continued until 1865, when he came to
Dayton, Indiana, and entered the employ of M. A. Lentz, who was operating a
large carriage shop. The subject remained with Mr. Lentz until the latter went
out of business in 1878. At that time the fonner employees I'f the Lentz
factory formed a company to carry on the business, under the firm style of
the Dayton Carriage Company. The following year Mr. Deibert became
president and manager of the company and continued as such until 1897,
when the company was dissolved. Since then Mr. Deibert has lived prac-
tically a retired life. He erected a splendid brick residence on Main street
and lived there until 1894. when he traded that property for the beautiful
home which he now occupies and which is generally considered one of the
finest homes in Dayton.
In politics Mr. Deibert has rendered a stanch allegiance to the Repub-
lican party and has at all times taken a keen interest in matters political,
though he has never sought public office. Because of his militarv service,
he is a member of Elliott Post, No. 160, Grand Army of the Republic, at
Dayton." In this post he served as adjutant for fifteen years and also served
as post commander, having filled all the chairs. He is, with his wife, a mem-
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church and is a trustee of the same.
On March 16, 1869, Mr. Deibert married Louisa R. Burkhalter, a sis-
ter of William H. Burkhalter. whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work.
Mr. and Mrs. Deibert enjoy the friendship of all who know them and their
beautiful home is the center of a large social circle. Thev delight in the
companionship of their friends and are highly esteemed by all who know them.
948 PAST AND PRESENT
MARTIN L. FISHER.
One of the most practical if not the most useful of the manifold branch-
es of agriculture taught in Indiana's great university at Lafayette is that
devoted to the growth and utilization of the field crops. It embraces all
the grains and teaches how to best handle soils so as to get the best yields.
The theory of the formation of soils and their characterization is also a
highly interesting feature of the work. Farm management, including the
choosing, equipping and operating of farms, is also taught according to the
latest discoveries in this department of applied science.
It is impossible to do justice to Professor Fisher's achievements at Pur-
due in the brief space allotted to his biography in this volume, but a few
details will show the manner of the man and serve as an introductory for a
better acquaintance. The Fishers, though originally an Ohio family, became
domiciled in northeastern Indiana about the conclusion of the Civil war
period. Samuel Fisher left Fairfield county in the Buckeye state in 1866,
drove through in a wagon over roads hardly adapted for automobile riding
and finally pulled up in the Indiana county of Wells, where he located. He
had married Margaret Jane Crawford in his native state and by this union
there were two sons, of whom Frank W., the eldest, is a farmer and dairy-
man and resides at Bluffton, Indiana.
Martin L. Fisher, the second son, was born in Wells county. Indiana,
October 24, 1871, and his opportunities and environment werg similar to
those of millions of other boys, but he was of the metal to take better ad-
vantage of them than many others. After attending the district schools for
some years he entered the Central Normal College at Danville, Indiana, went
through the commercial department and then matriculated at Purdue Univer-
sity for a course in the agricultural department. This proved to be the step
on which hinged the life work, which has been of such use to the state as
well as so reflective of credit upon his alma mater. After diligent application
and close attention to his studies for the required period, he obtained his
degree in 1903, was shortly thereafter given a position and the institution
has ever since had the full benefit of all his mental and physical energies.
His special work has had to do with the growth and improvement of the
cereal crops, and while especially intended for Indiana, all the other states
have received the benefits through the bulletins, interchange of literature and
close connecting links that characterize the methods of the various agricultural
colleges. In addition toi his regular duties. Professor Fisher has charge of
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 949
'i • ' , . ■: I , li,,, , . , *. .
part of the experimental field work relating to crop investigations, methods
of rotation, quality, nature and value of forage crops and tests of all varieties of
plants. It is proof of the interest aroused by Professor Fisher and the gen-
eral attention of students attracted by his labors that the department with
which he is connected has doubled in attendance during the last six years.
He is indeed a natural-born teacher, having the genius not only for acquiring
but imparting knowledge. Before coming to Purdue he had a valuable pre-
liminary training as instructor in the public schools of Wells county, where
he taught three years in the country and six years at Bluffton, where he
was principal in one of the buildings devoted to the grades. In addition
to this he conducted summer normals and has since done much work at
teachers' and farmers' institutes. An invaluable contribution to agricultural
education was made by Professor Fisher in the preparation of a bulletin in
1904 on "Agriculture in the Public Schools," which has enjoyed a wide cir-
culation and greatly stimulated the demand for the establishment of this
addition to the country curriculum. In collaboration with Professor Cotton,
he has prepared a book to be used as a text for the teaching of agriculture
in the public schools, and he is the author of various bulletins treating of
kindred themes and extensively circulated throughout the state.
Professor Fisher is a member of the American Breeders' Association,
the Society of Agronomy, the Nature Study Society, National Educational
Association and the Indiana Academy of Science. His fraternal relations
are confined to membership in the Order of Ben Hur and the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows. Personally, Professor Fisher possesses an affable
disposition, genial manners and address that wins friends. He is an inde-
fatigable student and an ideal teacher and much enamored of his great mis-
sion as instructor in Indiana's notable university.
May 26, 1894, Professor Fisher married Miss Mary Ella, daughter
of Zaccheus and Martha (Baker) Fishbaugh, by whom he has three cliildren;
Beatrice Louise, Frances Elizabeth, and Barbara Catharine. The familj- at-
tend services at the Methodist Episcopal church.
JAMES TROOP.
With the establishment of the experiment station in 1888. a new era
began at Purdue University. \\'ith its inception a great advance was made
possible in horticultural science and the kindred branch of entomology, which
is the department of zoology devoted to insects. Up to that time little or
950 PAST AND PRESENT
nothing had been done in Indiana to place orchard interests and truck farm-
ing on a scientific basis. They had been allowed to drift along after the bad
old methods of early days, being conducted in the haphazard, happy-go-
lucky manner characteristic of crude agriculture. The advent of James
Troop to take charge of these vitally important sciences was the beginning
of a movement which in twenty-five years has revolutionized conditions in
the state and resulted in improvements that have added greatly to the value
of gardening, trucking and fruit growing. It would take a large volume
to describe the detailed work and give comparative statements of the steady
ad\'ance over old conditions and little more can be attempted here than a
tribute in the abstract to the man to whom Indiana has owed so much
for the betterment of one of its most important industries. The name of
Troop has indeed become a household word among horticulturists. Mention
of some features of his work has frequently been made in the press and he
is quoted as an authority on his specialties all over the Union, but only those
who have followed his career closely are able to do justice to his achieve-
ments. The family is of New York originally. Andrew Troop was a
farmer who married Orila Wilson, and died a few years later leaving his
widow with three children, IMyron, Andrew and James. The latter, who
was born in Wyoming county. New York, ]\Iarch 14, 1853. was seven vears
old when his father died.- After that bereavement, the mother and sons
removed to Clinton county, Michigan, where James secured a home with
one of the neighboring farmers and remained there at work alternating with
school attendance until he reached his majority. He then entered the Mich-
igan State Agricultural College, devoted several years to mastering the
rudiments of agricultural knowledge and received his degree in 1878. The
two years following were devoted to teaching and another year to the duties
of superintendent of schools, after which he returned to college as an as-
sistant instructor, taking the master's degree in 1882. His calling to Purdue
afforded the coveted opportunity for the opening of a career and he proved
the right man for the place. At first he was made an instructor in horti-
culture and entomolog}-, but within a year he was elevated to a full pro-
fessorship in charge of this important and at that time new department in
the curriculum of Purdue. After the establishment of the national experi-
ment stations in 1888. Professor Troop' was given charge of horticulture
and entomology and was the first man to take up this branch of science
at the university. There was rapid development and an enlargement which
has grown steadily until Professor Troop's field of labor is conterminous
with the state. In 1907, Prof. C. G. Woodbury was appointed assistant
horticulturist and in 1908 J. G. Boyle was appointed instructor of horti-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 951
culture. The experiment work has been pushed rapidly, but with due re-
gard to thoroughness, since it was first inaugurated in 1888, and during the
last two years several lines of co-operative experiments have been estab-
lished in different parts of the state, having especial bearing upon the in-
terests of the orchardist and truck farmer. Those engaged in these lines of
productive industry find Purdue the mother of invention, as well as the co-
adjuster, but onlv those who have followed Professor Troop's work closely
are able to estimate what it has been worth to those who cultivate the soil
for profit.
Professor Troop is as attractive on the social side as he is in the world
of science. Broad in his sympathies, of generous disposition, pleasing and
kind in his manner, he proves a delightful companion to stranger as well as
friend. If genius be correctly defined as an infinite capacity for taking
pains, this popular professor has the quality in high degree. He' is deterred
bv no labor, discouraged by no difficulty and his quick perception, re-enforced
bv a highly trained mind, is equal to the solution of nice problems that are
calculated to deter the less ambitious. He keeps in touch with all move-
ments and associations having a bearing upon his special line of work.
Thus we find him an honored member of the American Pomological So-
ciety, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Ameri-
can Association of Economic Entomologists, the Entomological Society of
America and the American Breeders" Association. His fraternal relations
include membership in Tippecanoe Lodge, No. 55, Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, and Star City Encampment, No. 153, of the same society. He
has also long been connected with Lafayette Lodge, No. 123, Free and
Accepted Masons, Chapter No. 3 of the Royal Arch Masons, Tippecanoe
Council. No. 68, Royal and Select Masters, and Lafayette Commandery,
No. 3, Knights Templar, of which he is past commander.
December 30, 1884, Professor Troop was married to Cora Louise,
daughter of Seth N. and Catherine Chamberlin, of Livonia, New York.
Miss Helen Louise Troop, the only child, has graduated from the high
school and is doing work in the university.
WILLIAM C. LATTA.
All branches of agriculture have been much benefitted by Purdue, but
in no way ha\e the farmers been more helped than by the impetus given to
institute work. Farmers' institutes or the primary schools of agriculture
952 PAST AND PRESENT
are of comparatively modern origin. Now they are common in many
sections and it is difficult to overestimate the good they have done in bring-
ing farmers together to compare notes, read papers, discuss practical phases
of farm work, getting acquainted socially and cultivating the spirit of com-
radeship. It is now proposed to tell something about the man who, from
the vantage point of a Purdue professorship, has done his full share to
stimulate and make effective this branch of agricultural education in Indiana.
William C. Latta was born in LaPorte county, Indiana, March 9, 1850, and
all of his adult activities have been expended within the limits of his native
state. His parents, Robert S. and Mary (Tumbleson) Latta, were Ohioans,
and the former, while owning a farm, devoted much of his time to church
work as an itinerant Methodist Episcopal preacher. William C. who was
the oldest of seven children, attended the public schools in Noble county,
and at the age of twenty-one entered the Holbrook Normal at Lebanon, Ohio.
From there he went to Michigan, worked one summer in a planing-mill,
taught school the following winter and in 1874 became a pupil in the Mich-
igan State Agricultural College, near Lansing. He completed the course
with graduation in 1877, taught a winter term of school, spent one year on a
Michigan farm, taught another session and then returned to college for post-
graduate work. In 1882 he obtained the degree of Master of Science, and
then came to Purdue as instructor in agriculture. In 1883 he was made pro-
fessor of agriculture and has ever since held this position. It was in 1889 that
Professor Latta entered upon his special work, in a field to which he was
especially adapted and whose cultivation promised the best results as a stepping-
stone to improved agriculture and improved agriculturists. He began organiz-
ing farmers' institutes, in pursuance of which he has visited every county in
the state and spoken in every county seat, in some of them several times. As
might be expected, he confronted some active opposition and a great deal of
ignorance and misapprehension. Professor Latta's task was of the pioneer
variety, building from the ground up, and he occupied no bed of roses. Only
a man of indomitable perseverance, of exhaustless patience and genuine enthus-
iasm for his undertaking would have been able to surmount the difficulties.
Eventually he brought order out of chaos, inspired farmers with some of his
own spirit and established a network of institutes all over the state, which have
been doing much good and give promise of greater usefulness in the future.
The experimental work had been begrin by Prof. Charles I. Ingersoll. but Pro-
fessor Latta took it up and carried it on for some years before entering upon
the institute work. To this indefatigable worker and advanced educator we
owe many of the earlier bulletins relating to crops, methods of cultivation,
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 953
rotation and soil fertilization. When Professor Skinner was made dean in
1906, Professor Latta was relieved of administrative duties in tlie school
of agriculture and given more time for the farmers' institute work. Alto-
gether his twenty-seven years at Purdue have been of inestimable value to
Indiana agriculturists, and the name of Latta deserves to be enshrined in
the hearts of all who love and appreciate the value of man's noblest pursuit.
Aside from his exacting duties at the university, Professor Latta has
managed to keep in touch with various movements of an educational and
reformatory nature. He is a member of the National Educational Associa-
tion, the Society for Promoting Industrial Education, American Associa-
tion of Farmers' Institute Workers, besides the city charity organization
and Civic League. For many years he has been a member of the Masonic
order, and he was, for some time, master of the local (Purdue) grange of
Patrons of Husbandry.
July 10, 1879. Professor Latta was married to Alta E., daughter of
Amos F. and Eunice E. Wood, of Mason, Michigan. The four children
are Bertha. Robert W., Pauline and Mary. Three of them hnw graduated
from the high school and two from Purdue, one is taking the university
course and Mary is in high school. The family worship at Trinity Metho-
dist Episcopal church.
GEORGE IRVING CHRISTIE.
The "corn specials"' sent out from Purdue Universitv for the instruction
of farmers have become famous. Their object is to distribute literature,
especially the station bulletins, to stir up interest in improved methods of
agriculture and meet farmers face to face for heart to heart talks on the
subjects of most importance to them. Among the special objects held in
view by the progressive faculty of Lafayette's great university is instruction
in the selection of seed corn so as to produce the best results. But in the
lectures from the trains, in the school houses, or wherever gatherings of
farmers are held, plain, practical talks are given on all common features of
farming, with a view to helping the tillers of the soil to obtain better re-
sults by adopting better methods. Some surprise will be felt on learning
that the moving spirit of all this work of Purdue, the initiator of the new
plans to reach the farmers, the organizer of the devices that has so caught
the public imagination, is a young man scarcely thirty years old. He is,
however, learned for his age, a veritable dynamo of energy and an equip-
954 PAST AND PRESENT
ment for teaching scientific agriculture that is seldom secured by a lifetime
of work. A few biographical particulars about such a man must needs be
found very acceptable and interesting to the readers of this volume. Though
originally Scotch, the Christies seem to have become domiciled in Canada
by emigration at an early period in the history of the dominion. We hear
of David Christie as a farmer and horse importer in Ontario, at a period
antedating the American Civil war. He married Mary Anne House, by
whom he had a family of eight children, and among them a son who was
destined to earn fame as one of the able faculty of Purdue.
George Irving Christie was born at \\"inchester, Ontario, Canada, June
22, 1 88 1, and as he grew up received all the educational advantages to be
obtained from the schools of his native place. Entering Ontario Agri-
cultural College at Guelph in 1898, he spent four years in that institution
and was rewarded in June, 1902, with the degree of Bachelor of Scientific
Agriculture. During his college course he obtained prominence as a judge
in agricultural contests at Ottawa, and in the International Livestock Ex-
position, as a participant in this great event, attracted the attention of the
faculty of the Iowa State College at Ames, and a call was extended to the
brilliant young Canadian to accept the position of assistant in the agronomy
department of soils and crops. To this movement we are indebted for the
acquisition of Professor Christie as part of the educational force of the
United States, and it was a fortunate turn in events that eventually added
so valuable a man to the working corps of our state technical college.. In
1903 Professor Christie was honored by the Iowa State College with the
degree of Bachelor of Scientific Agriculture, and on the ist of July. 1905. he
came to Purdue University. He was placed at the head of the agricultural
extension work, which is embraced in what is perhaps the most important
department of the institution. Under Professor Christie's energetic man-
agement it has grown very rapidly and he now has five assistants under his
supervision. He originated the plan of reaching the farmers directly and
utilizes twelve lines of railroad in sending out his celebrated "specials" to
all parts of the state. Indeed the work accomplished in the last few vears
is marvelous and bears all the earmarks of original genius. It is estimated
that four thousand seven hundred and forty-six miles have been traveled,
and that the attendance of people at the meetings has reached the total of
nearly eighty-nine thousand, mostly consisting of farmers, their wives,
children and help. From the trains have been distributed oxer one hundred
thousand copies of station bulletins, and altogether such a widespread in-
terest was awakened among the farmers as to justify predictions of the
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 955
happiest results in stimulating the desire for agricultural knowledge. On
the practical side the outcome was such as to greatly benefit the university.
Corn clubs, direct results of this meritorious movement, have been organized
in forty-five counties of the state, with a total membership of over six
thousand. Nor have the benefits stopped here. As a result of the teaching
received, farmers greatly increased their corn crops by better seed selection,
better cultivation and more careful methods every way. Not only have there
been larger vields of the great cereal, but it has been much improved in
quality. Young men as well as their parents became intensely interested
and showed an eagerness for education along lines of practical agriculture.
Ninety-one boys were sent from the farms to Purdue to spend a week at
the expense of county corn clubs and all of them returned home as mission-
aries, full of zeal, for the spread of their new knowledge.
June 27, 1906, Professor Christie was married to Ethel, daughter of
Truman and Erminia (Moore) Carpenter, of Des Moines, Iowa. Erminia
Margaret Christie, born August lo, 1908, is the only child torn to this
union. Professor Christie has no time for "mere society," though not averse
to social intercourse on proper occasions, but he keeps in touch with matters
in line with his duties by various connections of an official nature. He is
secretary of the Indiana Growers' Association, of the Indiana Commission
for the National Corn Exposition, the National Association of the Agri-
cultural Extension Workers, and vice-president of the National Corn As-
sociation.
ALFRED T. WIANCKO.
Scientific agriculture, so noticeable as a feature of progress in the
United States during the last few decades, received its first impulse bv the
passage of the Morrill act, donating funds for the establishment of agri-
cultural colleges in the various states. The experiment station, compara-
tively modern, but not regarded as an indispensable aid to agriculture, has
been the most important outgrowth of these colleges and their chief achieve-
ment in the line of practical advancement. Purdue, the famous Indiana
university at Lafayette, has taken the lead in this department of applied
science and enjoys high rank all over the world for her contributions to
agricultural progress. The faculty has absorbed some of the Ijest talent in
the field and given the college the benefit of the most finely trained minds and
the most thoroughly educated students of the best equipped schools. The
956 PAST AND PRESENT
results have been noteworthy and of incalculable value to the great industry
which lies at the base of national prosperity. A comparatively recent ac-
quisition to the educational stafif is Alfred T. Wiancko, professor of agronomy
and head of the department of agronomy, which has eighteen courses of in-
struction, dealing with the study of soils, crops, agricultural engineering,
farm management, etc. This brilliant young educator is of German origin.
His father, Adolphus Wiancko, was a native of Schweidnitz, Silesia, where
his father was a manufacturer of felt goods. Shortly after the death of his
father he disposed of his interests in this business and emigrated to Canada
in 1871, invested in a farm in the province of Ontario, one hundred miles
north of Toronto, and carried on agriculture after the American plan. He
married Meta Hildebrandt, a native of Xewmarkt, Silesia, by whom he had
seven children, five now sur\iving.
Alfred T. Wiancko, one of the sons, was born at Sparrow Lake, On-
tario. Canada, October 16, 1872. After the usual routine in the common
schools he entered the Ontario Agricultural College at Guelph when six-
teen years old and spent the greater portion of the next five years in this
institution. Having received his degree of Bachelor of Scientific Agri-
culture granted by Toronto University, he secured a government position
in the chemical laboratory at Guelph to engage in the special investigation
of dairy products. After completion of this task, he spent a year in ]\Iinne-
sota, as manager of a stock farm in Lyon county, and then returned home
to take charge of his father's farm. This engagement, which lasted two
years, was followed by an appointment as assistant librarian in the Ontario
Agricultural College, to which was later added the duties of instructor in
German. In April, 1901, Professor Wiancko came to the L'nited States
for permanent residence and obtained an appointment as agricultural ex-
perimentalist for the Standard Cattle Company at Ames, Nebraska, where
he did laboratory work in connection with crops and soils. He had charge
also of sugar beet testing for a factory that was operated by this firm. In
the fall of 1 90 1 he went to Nebraska University as instructor in agriculture
and assistant agriculturist in the state experiment station, but still retained
charge of the cattle company's work. Professor ^^'iancko's sugar beet
tests at Ames were regarded as of sufficient value to justify publication
and later were embodied in bulletins 73 and 81 of the Nebraska experiment
station. In 1903 Professor Wiancko came to Purdue -University as asso-
ciate professor of agriculture, taking charge of the soil and crop work, and
in 1905 he was made a full professor. At this time the department of
agronomy did not exist as such, but was organized in 1907 and included
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 957
in addition to soil and crop work, agricultural engineering, farm manage-
ment and agricultural botany and chemistry, the whole embracing eighteen
courses of instruction, given by six instructors, including three full pro-
fessors, two assistant professors and one instructor. As head of this de-
partment, Professor Wiancko occupies a position of responsibility and one
which can be satisfactorily filled only by a man of the highest attainments
in these branches of agricultural science. In addition to the technical at-
tainments, the position requires a man of executive and administrative tal-
ent, infinite capacity for work and exhaustless enthusiasm in carrying it for-
ward. All of these qualities are possessed in an eminent degree by Pro-
fessor Wiancko, and Purdue is to be congratulated in securing his services in
the prime of his life and usefulness. Aside from his other duties, Professor
Wiancko has charge of the winter covirse of eight weeks in agriculture and
horticulture, and of the agricultural department in the agricultural experi-
ment station, which is connected with Purdue University. The rapid de-
velopment of the station work soon required additional help, and two as-
sistants, a regular foreman, and a stenographer are now employed.
So busy a man as Professor Wiancko has little time to devote to the
social side of life and he is still a bachelor. Though of genial address and
not averse to company in his leisure hours, he is a thinker rather than a
talker. He seems to have been especially fitted by nature for the delicate
work which, through the laboratory of the scientific student, sends forth
to the world such remarkable discoveries. He is a member of the American
Society of Agronomy, the American Breeders' Association and the Lincoln
Club of Lafayette.
WILLIAM J. JONES, JR.
Chemistry, always regarded as one of the leading sciences, is now re-
garded as indispensable in connection with agricultural education. In fact,
those best informed regard the future development of agriculture as a science
dependent upon chemistry more than any other agent of intellectual ad-
vancement. Only by chemical analysis can the constituent elements of foods
be ascertained or the nature and content of soils be understood. Chemistry
tests the value of fertilizers, the comparative merits of various kinds of
stock foods and is invaluable in detection of adulterations of all kinds. The
agricultural department at Washington keeps a great bureau, employing
hundreds of experts, engaged in all the intricate branches of agricultural
958 PAST AND PRESENT
chemistry, whose object it is to enhghten farmers for a more intelhgent prose-
cution of their caUing. Every state supplements this with a subordinate
bureau and every college or university teaches classes and confers degrees
for proficiency in what is not only a science itself, but one indispensable for
the elucidation and efifectiveness of other sciences. With this preliminary,
it is hardly necessary to add that he who fills the chair of agricultural chem-
istry at such a school as Purdue, representing the state in an of^cial capacity,
must needs be a man of the first importance as well as the highest accom-
plishments, and such a man is William J. Jones, Jr.
The genealogy of the subject's family, traced back three generations,
discloses in his maternal great-grandfather Eberhart the mechanical genius
who with Albert Gallatin established at New Geneva, Pennsvlvania. the
first glass factory west of the Alleghany mountains, and the paternal great-
great-grandfather established one of the first iron furnaces west of the moun-
tains at Fairchance, Pennsylvania. This furnace is still in use and is known
as the Evans Furnace. The descendants were long located in Pennsylvania
and there we find William Jones operating as a merchant during the dec-
ade preceding the Civil war, and later in Illinois, after his removal to that
state. He married Sallie D. Jones, by whom he had two sons. Robert Ben-
jamin and William James, Jr.
William J. Jones, Jr., was born at Watseka, Illinois, December q. 1870,
and received his elementary education in the schools of his native town. In
1886, when onlv sixteen years old, he appeared at Purdue wiHi the high
hopes and aspirations thnt characterize the ambitions youth, entered tlie
preparatorv department and after five years of diligent application was gradu-
ated in the class of 1891. Purdue is always looking out for young men to
fill her subordinate chairs of instruction, with a view to later promotion if
thev fulfill promise, and the faculty made no mistake when it offered the
young man from Watseka a position as assistant chemist. In 1892 he en-
tered the experiment station as chief deputy state chemist and held the posi-
tion until 1907. Meantime he had been made associate chemist of the sta-
tion, and from 1904 had carried on the work involved in the two positions
along lines that harmonized with each other so as to produce the best re-
sults. September 5, 1907, he became the state chemist and since that time
has been at the head of this important work, which has grown greatly since
Professor Jones took charge. The chemist and one deputy have increased
to five assistants, two inspectors, two helpers and three stenographers, or
thirteen all told. Perhaps the most important work done by this department
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 959
of the university has been the inspection of fertihzers sold to farmers. In
1899, when the first fertiHzer inspection law was passed, sixty-seven per cent.
of the four hundred and eighty-one samples collected were so much differ-
ent from the guarantee as to seriously deceive the purchaser and forty-six
per cent, did not possess the guaranteed money value. In 1908 out of
nine hundred and one samples, only five per cent, fell below standard, which
is equivalent to saying that ninety-five per cent, of the two million four hun-
dred fifty-seven thousand six! hundred and six dollars worth of fertilizers
sold to the farmers of Indiana were of the purity required by law. Similar
results were obtained in the analysis of feeds used in fattening various kinds
of livestock. In 1908 Professor Jones and his busy assistants analyzed nine
hundred and one samples of fertilizer and one thousand four hundred and
fifty-two samples of feeds. The latter were at first found to be very inferior
in quality in many cases, due either to adulteration or poor preparation at
the original sources of supply. Drastic reforms were accomplished by the
watchfulness and scientific work of the state chemist's department, which were
of great benefit to the agricultural classes and to all users of feed and fer-
tilizers. By conferring upon him in 1892 the degree of Master of Science
and the degree of Agricultural Chemist in 1899, Professor Jones com-
pleted his scientific educational course at Purdue, but his studies, so far from
ending, had just begun, and it is in the laboratory and the field that he has
acquired the knowledge and experience which have made him so valuable a
man to his alma mater, his state and the great world of agriculture.
Through membership in various learned bodies and associations, devoted
to his line of work. Professor Jones keeps in touch with modern methods
and progress. He is a member of the American Association for the Ad-
vancement of Science, American Chemical Society, the Association of Of-
ficial Agricultural Chemists. Indiana Academy of Science and American
Peat Society. He finds time also for the diversions afforded by various fra-
ternities, being connected with Masonry in blue lodge, chapter, council, com-
mandery, Shrine, besides the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in subordi-
nate and encampment, and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is also
an honorary member of Purdue Chapter, Alpha Zeta fraternitv.
December 25, 1894, Professor Jones married Nellie, daughter of Sam-
uel and Elizabeth (Callahan) Parker, of Hammond, Indiana. His familv
are of the Baptist persuasion in religion, and his political convictions are
in line with those of the Republican party. In his personality Professor
Jones is an attractive man, as his disposition is genial, his manners affable,
and his conversation animated. He is much enamored of his calling and al-
ways ready with information bearing upon the work he has done or is
960 PAST AND PRESENT
contemplating. Temperamentally he is quite optimistic and always proves
entertaining company by witty repartee, pleasant badinage and comment
devoid of any tinge of ill nature.
HARVEY RESER.
Although the "angel of death" has closed the life chapter of Harvey
Reser, long a substantial citizen of Tippecanoe county, his influence still per-
vades the lives of those with whom he was closely associated, for, although
unassuming and a man who delighted in "keeping the even tenor of his way,"
he made his influence felt among those with whom he mingled owing to his
probity of character, his genuine worth and his kindly and genial disposition,
gaining a position in his locality as one of the earnest men whose depth of
character and strict adherence to principle called forth admiration from his
contemporaries. His long life was spent principally as an agriculturist in
this county, which he saw develop from the primitive conditions of the early
days to the opulent present, and while engaged in the successful prosecution
of his own chosen work he was never neglectful of the general welfare of his
neighbors, thereby winning and retaining their esteem even after the grave
had closed between them.
Harvey Reser was born near Springfield, Ohio, February 4, 1825. He
was the son of Jacob and Mary Reser, sterling pioneers, and he was of Ger-
man descent. His father was a blacksmith, who came to Ohio from Virginia
where he successfully plied his trade. The family moved to Indiana in 1835
and located along the Wea creek in Wea township, where they became well
established in due course of time.
Harvey Reser was united in marriage with Sarah Waymire at Dayton,
Ohio, September 10, 1857. Soon afterwards they moved to Stockwell where
Mr. Reser engaged in farming and traded in cattle. In 1864 he bought of
Philip Ensminger a beautiful farm in Wea township, which he added to at
different times until he had one of the best farms in that part of the county,
on which he lived until his death, July 14, 1906.
Mr. Reser voted for Abraham Lincoln in i860 and he was present at the
Tippecanoe battle-ground at the great political rally in 1840, and it was in-
teresting to converse with him on reminiscences of those early times which he
remembered so well and delighted in discussing. He was a believer in the
Universalist faith. Although he was a very practical man, he did not neglect
altogether the esthetic side of his nature, cultivating especially the art of
^fS^
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 961
playing the violin. He left surviving him a widow, a woman of gracious
personality, and three sons, namely: Alva O. Reser, the present recorder
of Tippecanoe county; Dr. William M. Reser, of Lafayette, and Prof. Ed-
ward N. Reser, of the Brooklyn, New York, high school.
Harvey Reser never held or aspired to political offices, but gave his best
thought and energy to his farm, which was a model one. To paraphrase
Goldsmith's lines it might well be said of him :
Remote from town he lived his life-long race,
And ne'er did change nor care to change his place.
CHARLES HENRY SCHULTZ.
It is always pleasant as well as profitable to contemplate the career of
a man who has made a success of life and won the honor and respect of
his fellow citizens. Such is the record, briefly stated, of the progressive
young farmer whose name introduces this sketch. Charles Henry Schultz
was. born in Wea township, Tippecanoe county, where he still resides. May
21, 1879, the son of George Schultz, who was born in Hamburg, Germany,
February 26, 1833. The latter was the son of Joseph, who died the year
George was born. His wife died when George was young, also. George
Schultz was the only member of the family to come to America. He re-
ceived his education both in Germany and in this country. He was married
in the Fatherland in 1854, and soon afterward came to America in an old-
fashioned sailing vessel that required a voyage of seven weeks. They landed
in New York city, and soon came on to Lafayette, Indiana. Mr. Schultz
worked as a laborer for a while and finally was able to purchase twenty acres
of land in Randolph township, which was then wild ; but lie was a hard
worker and soon cleared it. Having prospered, he moved to Wea town-
ship in 1876, locating in section 35, where he bought one hundred acres,
on which there was an old log house and stable. These gave way in time
to a comfortable and substantial dwelling and barn. He cleared a great
deal of this land and put it under excellent improvements. He was a Demo-
crat, but never aspired for public office, and belonged to the Lutheran church,
as did also his wife. The death of George Schultz occurred May 16, 1907,
his wife having preceded him to the grave on July 12, 1892. They were
the parents of ten children, namelv : ^^"illiam, who was a carpenter in Day-
(61)
962 PAST AND PRESENT
ton, Indiana, is now deceased ; John is a farmer in Berthoud, Colorado ;
I\Iary, wiio married Samuel Hudlow. is deceased: Christopher, who was a
farmer in Wea township, is deceased ; Sallie, who married Samuel Hudlow,
lives in Ordway, Colorado: Minnie, the wife of Fred Tienan, lives in Ord-
way, Colorado, also; Fred also lives there, as does also Annie, who married
Stephen Ilgehfritz ; George, who was a carpenter living at Conroe, this coun-
ty, and who married' Bertha Holmes, is deceased; Charles Henry, of this
review, was the youngest child. He was educated in the common schools
in ^^'ea township, remaining at home, assisting with the work about the
place until he was twenty-one years old.
Mr. Schultz was married on Xo\-ember 28, 1900, to Bessie ]\Icr)aniel,
of Lafayette, daughter of \\'illiam and Kate ( Peters ) iMcDaniel, the former
a native of Virginia and the latter of Pike county, Ohio. They came to
Lafayette, Indiana, in 1888, and Mr. McDaniel worked for the Big Four
railroad. His death occurred April 11, 1891, and his widow married Ale.x-
ander Ash, and they live in Wea township. The following children were
born to William McDaniel and wife: Bessie, wife of Charles H. Schultz,
of this review; Nettie; Leone, deceased. To !Mr. and Mrs. Charles H.
Schultz four children have been born, namely: Minnie Catherine, born June
9, 1901 ; Ray Edward, born March 2, 1903: Charles R(ibert, born Marc):
24, 1905; George Wilson Alexander, born June 2, 1907.
After his marriage, Mr.. Schultz took up farming in Lauramie town-
ship, Tippecanoe county, which he followed for five years, getting an ex-
cellent start. Then he went to Ordway, Colorado, remaining there one sea-
son, when he moved to Spokane, Washington, where he worked as a fire-
man for the Oregon Railroad and Navigation Company. On February 27,
1908, he came back to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, settling in Wea town-
ship, where he worked one year for John Kennedy, and then located on the
old Schultz homestead, where he now resides. He owns eightv acres of the
old place on which he carries on a general fainiir.g business aiul is living
comfortably. He is a Republican in politics, and is known as a good man-
ager, a hard worker and honorable citizen.
CHARLES McDILL.
The gentleman whose life record is herein briefly outlined needs no
introduction to the people of Tippecanoe county, for the McDills have figured
prominently in the development of this locality, especially Union and Ran-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 963
dolph townships, since the pioneer days. Charles McDill was a worthy rep-
resentative in every respect of the sterUng first settlers here of this name,
being known as a man of courage, self-reliance and of the utmost integrity
of purpose, as a result uf which he has, during his entire life, l^een accorded
the respect due a man of such attributes.
Charles McDill, who was born in this county, June 4, 1854, is one of
those men who are able to see greater opportunities in their native com-
munity than elsewhere, consequently has remained at home rather than seek
uncertain fortune in other states. He had the advantage of recei\-ing a good
education, nnd, having always been a reader and a close ol3ser\-er. he has
developed into a far-seeing man of affairs, paying close attention to his
business, which has steadily grown until he is rated as one of the substantial
and influential men of the county. He is the son of John and Sarah (Bear)
McDill, the former a native of Ross county, Ohio, his birth occurring Feb-
ruary 14, 1825, while the latter was a Virginian, having lieen born in the
Old Dominion state in 1824, both representatives of fine old families. The}-
came to Indiana when they were children, locating in Tippecanoe county.
where they met and married, and, finding the new country to their liking,
thev elected to remain here. Tlieir first residence after their marriage was
on a farm in Union township, lieginning housekeeping in a double log
house, which, as they prospered, was later replaced by a more pretentious
frame dwelling, convenient anrl commodi'ms. Substantial improvements
were made on the place and Ixiunteous harvests were reaped from year tci
year as a result of their hard work and judicious management. Here, after
a life of tmusual industry and honor, John McDill passed to his reward
February 7, 1899. His widow, a woman of gracious Christian personality,
is still living at the advanced age of eighty-five years on the old homestead
in Union township, enjoying good health for one of her advanced years, and
possessing an excellent memory, so that her conversation bearing on the
pioneer days is at once interesting and instructive. Her daughter Virginia.
who has remained unmarried, lives with her, administering to her every want
in her declining years.
To Mr. and Mrs. John McDill six children were born, an equal num-
ber of boys and girls, four of whom are deceased, the only ones Hving being
Charles, of this review, and his sister, Virginia, mentioned above.
When Charles McDill had finished his schooling, at the age of eighteen
years, he accepted a position as bookkeeper in the city of Lafayette, which
he retained to the entire satisfaction of the firm and to his own credit for
a period of seven vears, when, owing to ill health as the result of close con-
964 PAST AND PRESENT
finement, he was forced to resign and resume life in the open air on the old
home place in Union township, where, amid most wholesome and life-giving
environments, he soon grew strong again, remaining there until his mar-
riage, which occurred on October 7, 1885. The lady of his choice was Mat-'
tie M. Bailey, who has proven to be a most genial and worthy helpmeet,
the success of Mr. McDill having been, in no small degree, due to her en-
couragement and counsel. She was born August 24, 1861, at Medaryville,
Indiana, but was reared at Battle Ground, where she remained a member
of the family circle until her marriage to Mr. McDill. Her parents were
Simon T. and Sarah (Hull) Bailey, both born and reared in Indiana. They
were married in Lafayette, December 28, 1859, and the major part of their
married life was spent in that city, where Mr. Bailey was for many years a
well-known business man. He now lives at Battle Ground, his wife having
closed her eyes on earthly scenes April 3, 1887, after becoming the mother
of three children, two girls and one boy, Mattie M.. wife of Mr. McDill,
being the oldest of the family. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Charles McDill
has been blessed by the birth of one child, Mabel L., who married William
Edward Andrews, who is engaged in the general mercantile business at Rom-
ney, Indiana, where he is regarded as one of the successful business men of
that community. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews were married October 6, 1908.
Mrs. Andrews is an educated and affable lady, popular with a large circle
of friends.
After his marriage, for some time, Mr. McDill worked as a tenant
farmer in Union township. After seven years of unremitting toil, which
gave him a good start, he moved to Lafayette, in which city he remained
for two years, having by this time accumulated a surplus of five thousand
dollars. He became interested as a part owner of the farm upon which he
now lives, C. Murdock being his partner. They continued to buy more land
until this place now consists of one thousand acres of choice land, very pro-
ductive and well improved, known as the "Romney Stock Farm Company,"
of which Mr. McDill is president, and his able management is largely re-
sponsible for the great success of the company operating this model farm,
on which stand the most up-to-date buildings and which is kept well stocked
with excellent grades of all kinds of livestock. Mr. McDill being regarded
by his neighbors as one of the best judges of stock in the county. He is
also president of the Romney Bank, which is capitalized at twenty-five thous-
and dollars, one of the safe and thriving banking houses in this part of the
Hoosier state. Mr. McDill formerly took a very active interest in the man-
agement of this institution, but owing to his health, which is none too
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 965
robust at this time, he is leading a semi-retired Hfe on his farm, but in a
way still oversees the affairs of the bank. He is a man of fine business mind
and executive ability, being- able to foresee the outcome of a transaction with
remarkable accuracy, and, having started in life for himself with only lim-
ited capital, he is deserving of great credit for what he has accomplished.
However, he is conservative and simple in his everyday life, avoiding pub-
licity, having never sought public office, although he has many times been
encouraged by his friends and neighbors to serve them in an of^cial capacity,
but he has preferred to devote his attention to the management of his busi-
ness affairs. He is a Republican in politics, and, religiously, he and his wife
belong to the Methodist Episcopal church at Romney, Mr. McDill having
been a member of the church board for several years, which office he now
holds, both he and, his estimable wife taking considerable interest in the af-
fairs of this congregation, where they are held in high esteem, as indeed, they
are in all circles, owing to their liberality, hospitality and integrity.
GEORGE H. OGLESBAY.
The two most strongly marked characteristics of both the east and the
west are combined in the residents of the section of country of which this
work treats. The enthusiastic enterprise which overleaps all obstacles and
makes possible almost any undertaking in the comparatively new and vig-
orous western states is here tempered by the stable and more careful policy
that we have borrowed from our eastern neighbors, and the combination is
one of peculiar force and power. It has been the means of placing this sec-
tion of the country on a par with the older East, at the same time producing
a reliability and certainty in business affairs which is frequently lacking in
the West. This happy combination of characteristics is possessed by the sub-
ject of this sketch, George H. Oglesbay, cashier of the Romney Bank and
farmer. Mr. Oglesbay was born in Randolph township, Tippecanoe county,
Indiana, on the i8th of May, 1848, and is a son of John Philip and Margaret
A. (Roudebush) Oglesbay. John P. Oglesbay was born in Cumberland,
Maryland, in 181 6. His father, Robert Oglesbay, was of Scotch descent
and was also born in Maryland. He married Susannah Schuppert. and
to them were born five children, as follows : Robert, Elizabeth, Sarah, James
and John P. The father was a man of fair education and was marked by
an upright character that always commanded respect. He filled several local
official positions during his lifetime. At the date of his death he was judge
966 PAST AND PRESENT
of the orplians' court — a position corresponding with that of probate judge
of the present day — and fell dead upon the bencli while in the discharge of
his ofificial duties. John P. Oglesbay came witli his mother's family to Tippe-
canoe county in 1836, locating in Lauramie township, where, within a few
years after their coming, the mother died, in 1840.
At the age of ten years, John P. Oglesbay began to earn his own living,
and, being thus early thrown upon his own resources, he learned to practice
economy and energy. Through hard work and good management, he was
finally enabled to accumulate a handsome property. During his youth his
occupation was \aried — teaching school and working alternately at the Ijench
and in the harvest field. In the spring nf 1837 he, with his brother-in-law,
pb.iite.I a crop in L:iuramie township, and during that season and the follow-
ing summer he was engaged in the duties of farm life. In the fall and
winter of that year he taught school and from that date until 1843 he was
engaged in farming and teaching. In the spring of 1843 he removed to
Romney, where he engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes, follow-
ing that trade for eight years. In 1851 he embarked in the general mer-
chandise business at Romney, and until 1856 he carried on a successful busi-
ness. During that year he disposed of his stock to Col. Henry Leaming for
the cnnsiderntion of one hundred acres nf land, which adjoined an eighty-
sere trr'ct be hnd previously bought of Charles Swear. He again engaged in
farming and remained thus engaged for ten years, and then engaged in busi-
ness ag-'in at Romney, where he purchased the business he had previously
sold to Colonel Iteming, this time associating with him a partner in the
person of T'^mes H. Kyle, who withdrew from the firm after three years.
In 1844 Mr. Oglesbay was appointed by President John Tyler postmaster at
Romrev and he continued to serve ethcientiy in this position until his re-
moval to the farm in 1861. He v^-as township trustee for more than ten
years, i860 to t87j.. In 1875 he was nominated for the office of countv
commissioner and elected.
In 1 84 1 John P. Oglesbay married Margaret A. Roudebush, and to
them were Imrn three children, William, John P., Jr., and George H., the
immedi-'te srbiect of this sketch. The father died in 1889 and the mother
in 1890. and their remains lie in the cemetery at Romney. In his church
choice Mr. Oglesbay was a devoted Presbyterian and did much towards sus-
tniiiq-io- that relie'ous denomination, serving as one of the elders for a num-
ber of years. He was a public-spirited man and did much for the develop-
ment of this section of the county.
George H. Oglesbay was reared in this township, and in his boyhood at-
tended the public schools, most of his education being secured under the
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 967
direction of his father. He also attended a business college at Lafayette.
He remained at home and for a number of years was closely associated
with his father in the latter's business affairs, ilr. Oglesbay possesses a
practical knowledge of farming, in which he has achieved a distinctive suc-
cess, being at the present time the owner of four hundred and twenty acres
of as good land as can be found in this section of the county.
On July 10, 1901, }vlr. Oglesbay v.ith others opened the Romney Bank
at Romney, which has since been recognized as one of the best financial
institutions in the county outside of Lafayette. The bank is capitalized at
twenty-fi\e thousand dollars and its officers are as follows : President,
Charles McDill; vice-president, J. P. Kissinger; cashier, George H. Ogles-
bay; assistant cashier, John A. Hornbeck. The bank is' conducted along safe
and conservative lines, and yet is wisely progressive in its attitude towards
local business. The establishment of the TSank was a distinct mark of ad-
vance in the business affairs of the community, and it has been accorded a
liberal patronage.
On the nth day of May, 1875, ^^r. Oglesbay was married to Margaret
Webster, who is now deceased, and to them was born one child, Margaret,
who became the wife of W. S. Alexander and resides in Randolph township.
April 30, 1879, the subject married Fannie Hunley, and, after her death,
on March 4, 1904, he wedded Lucy B. Harter January 13, 1909. In politics
Mr. Oglesbay is a stanch Republican and is now serving as' a justice of
the peace. His religious membership is with the Methodist Episcopal church,
of which he is a trustee and steward. He is a member of the Free and Ac-
cepted Masons and takes a deep interest in the workings of the order. He
also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Tallows. He gives his support
to all moral, educational, social or material interests which he believes will
benefit the community, and as a man of sterling worth he justlv merits the
high regard in which he is held.
William G. Harter, fiither of Mrs. Oglesbay, is a native of Richmond,
Indiana, born July 29, 1821. He came to this county along in 1830, and was
a merchant. He was a son of Philip Harter, who ran the old mill on the
bank of the Wea and also did a carting business.
THOMAS PARLON.
.A. man well remembered in Wea township. Tippecanoe countv, was the
I'lte Thomas Parlon, whose characteristics were self-reliance, strict integrity,
])cr';i':tency of purpose and charitableness to his neighbors, consequentlv his
9D5 PAST AND PRESENT
friends were many and sincere, and besides leaving his family a good home
and a competence, he left them what amounts to far more — a good name.
His birth occurred on the Atlantic ocean as his parents were emigrating
from Ireland to the United States in 1850. Thomas Parlon was the son
of Caleb Parlon. a native of Kings county, Ireland. After bringing his
family to the United States, the latter came to Lafayette, Indiana, where he
worked as a farmer and laborer. He was a horse trainer in Ireland. Both
he and his wife died in this county. They were the parents of the follow-
ing children : Bridget married Jerry Ryan and lives in Lafayette ; James is
a contractor in Lafayette; Patrick and Nellie are both deceased; Thomas,
of this review, was the youngest child. He grew to maturity in this county
and obtained only a limited education. On June 19, 1879, he married Anna
C. O'Shea, of Wea township, this county, the daughter of James and Amelia
(Neville) O'Shea, natives of Limerick county, Ireland, both having come to
America in the same year that the Parlous came, 1850. They located in
New York city, where they remained for three years, then came to Tippecanoe
county, Indiana, securing a farm in section 33, Wea township, which he
cleared and improved, making a good home there. His death occurred
November 9, 1894, and his widow is still living on the old place, havrng
reached the advanced age of ninety years. Mrs. Parlon was the only child
of her parents. She has an excellent memory and her conversation of the
olden times is interesting.
To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Parlon two sons were born, namely : James
T.. born June 2, 1880, married first Catherine Raub, one child being born
by that marriage, Henrietta, who died at the age of two years,
and secondly Mary Creahan, by whom he had one child, Mary
Ann. He is a farmer living at New Richmond, Indiana. The
second child born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Parlon was Caleb C, who was
born March 14, 1882; he is a farmer living at South Raub, Indiana; he
married Eliza Gaither. James Parlon was educated in the home schools, and
he spent one year in Purdue University. Caleb C, desiring to see some-
thing of the world and get a taste of military service, spent three years in
the regular army, in Company F, Fifth Regiment, having enUsted July 19,
1900, at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. In 1903 he was honorably discharged. He
rose to the rank of corporal, and spent two years in the Philippines and
Cuba. He is well educated both in point of text-books and in the things of
the world, having always been a close observer and a deep student.
After their marriage, Thomas Parlon and wife located in Wea township
on the old home place of Mrs. Parlon's mother, and they resided here, Mr.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 969
Parlon managing' the farm very successfully until his death, May 4, 1905.
He and his wife were the owners of one hundred and twenty-eight and one-
half acres of land, under a high state of cultivation and equal to any land in
the community. They were members of St. Mary's Catholic church of La-
fayette. Mrs. Parlon, a very kind, charitable and Christian woman, is still
living with her aged mother. They have a pleasant and cozy home.
GREENLEAF NORTON MEHARRY.
A well-remembered and highly respected citizen of Jackson township,
Tippecanoe county, Indiana, was the late Greenleaf Norton Meharry. than
whom a more whole-souled or genteel gentleman it would have been difficult
to find, and as a result of his many admirable qualities he was held in high
favor throughout the county. He was born in Fountain county, Indiana,
July 16, 1 83 1, the son of James and Margaret Ingram (Francis) Meharry,
the former a native of Adams county, Indiana, and the latter of Ireland. She
came with her parents to the United States when young and settled in Ohio,
where she married James Meharry, and soon afterwards came to Fountain
county, Indiana, where their son Greenleaf N. was born, as indicated above.
Shortly afterwards his parents moved to Montgomery county, this state, where
they lived on a farm until their deaths, and are sleeping the last sleep in what
is known as the Meharry cemetery, near Wingate, Montgomery county. They
were the parents of five children, four of whom grew to maturity, one dving
in childhood, Greenleaf N. being the second in order of birth. The other
children were Mary Agatha, Cornelia Bennett, Allen Wiley and James Alex-
ander, the only one living now being Allen.
Greenleaf Norton Meharry, after receiving the usual schooling for a
lad of his times and casting about for a time for a life work, chose as a
helpmeet on October 22, 1856, Letitia Meharry, the wedding occurring in
Canada. Mrs. Meharry was a native of Ontario, Durham county, her birth
occurring March 21, 1835. She was educated in the schools of her native
province. She attended two ladies' seminaries and received an excellent edu-
cation, which has since been supplemented by wide reading. Mrs. Meharry
is the daughter of Robert and Letitia (Blackstock) Meharry, both natives
of Ireland. The father came to Canada with his parents when only nine years
old ; the mother came to this country with her parents when only three ^•ears
of age. The grandparents of Mrs. Greenleaf N. Meharry all died in \\'ea
970 PAST AND PRESENT
Plains. Robert Meharry was bom in county Cavan. Ireland. June i6. 1810;
bis wife was born in that country August 24. 1S16. Tbe\- were married in
Durb ni county, Ontario, February 29, 1832, in wbicli country tbev remaine 1
rll their married bves. being farmers by occupation. The father died De-
cember 28. 1878, at, the age of sixty-nine years; his widow survive:! him
several years, dying December 12, 1903. attaining the advanced age of
eighty-seven years. Both are buried in Durham county, Ontario. Thev
were the parents of twelve children, seven daughters and five sons, eleven of
whom grew to maturity, one having died in childhood, Mrs. Greenleaf X.
jMeharry being the second of the number in order of birth. The other chl-
dren are Mary Jane, Elizabeth B., Hugh Blackstock, Anna Eliza. John Wes-
ley. :\I?.tilda, Charlotte. Jesse R. B., Rebecca, Palmer and Edward. Eight
of these children are now living.
When Mr. and Mrs. Greenleaf X. Meharry were married they settle 1
upon the farm where Mrs. Meharry now resides. It has been developed fr m
verv rough conditions to one of the best landed estates in Jackson township.
They set to work with a will and soon had a very comfortable home and a
well improved farm which yielded an excellent income from year to vear.
Mr. [Meharry was called from his earthly labors August 3, 1805. ^^ the
age of sixtv-five years, and was buried in the INIehTrry cemetery in Mont-
gomery county. He left his family well provided for. ]Mrs. Melnrry now
being the owner of two hundred and forty acres of fine farming land in
Jackson township, all well improved with modern conveniences. She has a
beautiful residence, nicely furnished and standing in the midst of attractive
surroundings. General farming is successfully carried on, and Mrs. Me-
harry and two of her daughters, who have remained single, preferring to live
with their mother, enjoy the society of a wide circle of friends in their com-
munity.
To Mr. and Mrs. Greenleaf N. Meharry nine children were born, four
daughters and five sons, three of the number dying in childhood. Those
surviving are: Florence, who was born March 25, i860, has remained single
an:; -^ nieml:)er of the home circle: Eddie E.. who was born June 11. 1862,
married Emma Lanfear. nnd they reside in Colfax, McLean county, Illinois;
Ro'-eU E.. who was born August 30, 1864, married Belle DavidscHi; they
resir'e in !\IcLean county, Illinois, and are the parents of one daughter, Ada
Lucile, horn July 5. 1894; Annie V.. who was born December 17. 1866, has
rem-^ined single and is living at home; Ira G. H.. who was born August 24.
1873. married Agnes D. Sayers; they reside in Tippecanoe county and are
the D-rents of three children, Carrie L., Clare .\lexander and Hugh; Judd,
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 97 1
who was born September 5, 1878, married Ethel Hillis; they reside in Mont-
gomery county and are the parents of two children, Josepiiine Frances and
Roy Hillis. These children all received every care and attention passible at
the hands of their solicitous parents and are all well equipped and fairly well
situated in reference to this world's affairs.
(Ireenleaf X. Meharry was a Republican, and, although he took an active
part in local political affairs, he never aspired to public office. In his younger
days he was a member of the Gooil Templars order and a strong advocate of
temperance. During the Ci\il war he was a member of the local organization
known as the "Know-Xothings," the followers of which favored abolishing
slavery.
Mrs. Meharry and her children are active and prominent meml)ers nt
the Metho.'ist Episc p-^l church, holding their membership at Sh'iwnee
Mound church. Mr. Mehnrry was a liberal supporter of the church and rn
rc'i\-e ^•■olker in the same, having been superintendent of the Sunday school
an! was both steward and trustee of the local church — in fact, he was 1
pillar in the s".me and is greatly missed. He had hosts of friends as a result
of his public spirit, his industrious and upright life and his kindness. Mrs.
Meharry and her daughters are also held in high esteem by all who know
them and their pleasant home is often the gathering place of numerous friends
who ever find good cheer and hospitality prevailing there.
MARTIX P. COYNER.
.^s the n^me indicates, the Coyners are of German descent, Michael
Coyner. grct-grandfather of the gentleman whose name introduces this
sketch, having been a native of the Fatherland. He came to the United
States in an old-fashioned sailing vessel, making a somewhat adventurous
and tardy voyage across the great Atlantic ocean, finally landing in Pennsvl-
vania, where he became a prosperous farmer. During his residence there he
made three trips back to the Fatherland, and when he was returning from
his third trip the ship was wrecked and a sister who was accompanving lu'm
was lost, lie hnving escaped a similar fate in a very peculiar wav — a strange
caprice of f(irtune. Michael Coyner located first in Pennsylvania, as already
indic-ted; liut he later m(i\ed to \'irginia, where he farmed and also engagel
in merclrnf'isinp-. Fe ws uT-rried while living in the first-named state -^nd
bcc-une the father of a large familv. eight children in all. tliree sons and five
9/2 PAST AND PRESENT
daughters. John D., father of Martin P., of this review, was born in
Augusta county, Virginia, and was six years old when his parents brought
him to Ohio. When he reached manhood, in 1832, he came to Indiana, and,
having learned something of the tanner's trade, he, in partnership with his
brother-in-law, started a little tan yard. In a short time he married Delilah
Peterson, and later moved onto a farm in Montgomery county, this state,
where he prospered by reason of habits of close application to work and good
management, and he remained there until his death. He was a good man and
highly respected, and belonged to the Presbyterian church. He was twice
married. There were three children by his first marriage, namely : George
VV., who became a soldier in the Twenty-sixth Regiment Indiana Volunteer
• Infantry, died in New Orleans ; Lucian D. is residing in Montgomery county,
this state; and Martin P., of this review.
Martin P. Coyner, a well-known and progressive agriculturist of
Lauramie township, Tippecanoe county, was born in the adjoining county of
Montgomery, December 16, 1841, and was reared on his father's farm, which
he worked during the summer months when he became of proper age, and
attended the district schools during the wintertime, securing a somewhat
limited but practical education. When he reached manhood he chose as a
life companion a representative of a fine old family in the person of Catherine
McCartney, and to this union five children were born, two of whom are liv-
ing at this writing, namely: \Yi\l. a progressive farmer in Lauramie town-
ship, and John, the well-known trustee of Lauramie township.
]\Ir. Coyner has devoted the major part of his life to farming, at which
he made a marked success, but since 1893 he has not engaged in active agri-
cultural pursuits. He has lived since then, first at Stockwell, later moving to
Clark's Hill, where he now resides, having there a modern and nicely fur-
nished residence which is beautifully located. He also ran a tile factory for
ten yer.rs. He is now engaged in buying and shipping stock on an extensive
scale, which he has followed for many years. He is regarded as an excellent
judge of livestock and he has made a success in this line.
Mr. Coyner is a member of the Land and Improvement Company of
Clark's Hill, being vice-president of the same, and much of its success is due
to his judicious counsel and management. He is also a member of a gas
company of Clark's Hill, and whatever he turns his attention to he seems to
have the ability to carry to a successful issue. In politics he is a Democrat,
but does not find time to take a very active part in political afifairs. In
everyday life Martin P. Coyner's word, according to those who know him
best, is as good as his bond, honesty and integrity being no meaningless
words with him, and his record as a citizen is without blemish.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 973
HON. JOHN FRANKLIN SIMISON, M. D.
A well-known descendant of sterling and influential pioneer ancestors
is the gentleman to a review of whose life history the reader's attention is
directed in the following paragraphs, which show much to commend him as
one of the representative citizens of the locality of which the present work
treats. John Franklin Simison was born in Romney, Randolph township,
Tippecanoe county, Indiana, September i, 1859, the son of John and Har-
riet Eliza (Agnew) Simison, the former having been born in Portage county,
Ohio, in 1824, and the latter in Pennsylvania, September 30, 1832. Both
came to Indiana when young and were married in Parke county in 1851, im-
mediately after which event they moved to Tippecanoe county, settling at
Romney, where John Simison, who was a physician, began the practice of
medicine, which he continued until his death, August 17, 1902, being nearly
seventy-eight years old. For half a century he administered to the afflicted
people of this county in such a manner as to stamp him as a doctor of unusual
merit, being not only well abreast of the times in medical skill, but also a man
of likeable qualities which rendered him popular with all classes. His widow
still survives, living at Romney, now seventy-seven years of age. The Doc-
tor was a prosperous man, owning many hundreds of acres at the time of
his death. He was a very liberal contributor to DePauw University; also to
the church and all charitable causes, the welfare of others seeming paramount
in his nature. He was one of the best known men in the county, and no
one was held in higher esteem than he, fcr he was truly a good and useful
man and a benefactor to his fellows.
The Doctor's family consisted of six children, four sons and two daugh-
ters, all now living, the subject of this review being the third in order of
birth.
John Franklin Simison attended Asbury (now DePauw) University
after finishing the work prescribed by the city schools of Romney, graduating
from the university in 1879, having made a splendid record in the same for
scholarship. Deciding to follow in the footsteps of his father in a profes-
sional way, he entered Rush Medical College, from which he graduated with
honors in 1881, after which he returned to Romney and began the practice
of medicine with his father, continuing the same after the death of the elder
doctor, his success having been instantaneous and which continued to in-
crease with the passing years until he retired in 1906 and has since devoted
his time to his other affairs, which are varied and numerous: however, he
974 PAST AND PRESENT
occasionally obliges some if his old-time patients by administering to their
wants in a medical way.
Doctor Simison, Junior, was married December 27, 1897. at Crawfords-
ville, Indiana, to Jessie C. Hornbeck. a native of this state, having been Ijorn
in 1875. She was a woman of rare personal attributes and after a harmoni-
ous married life she passed to her rest March 11, 1908, at the earlv age
of thirtv-thrpp A-ears. She was the daughter of John A. and Emma J.
(Jones) Kornbecl:, both nr.tives of Indiana and both living in 1909 in Rom-
ney, Mr. Hornbeck being assistant cashier in the Romney bank.
Two children were born to the subject and wife, namely: Boyd Frank-
lin and John Sylvan, both of whom are with their father. They give ever}-
evidence of future careers of usefulness.
Doctor Simison was elected township trustee of his native township
in 1885 and re-elected to the .';ame office in 1887. In 1906 he was
elected joint representative from Tippecanoe and Montgomerv counties on
the Republican ticket and so faithfully did he discharge the duties of this
honored position that he was re-elected in 1908 and is still serving. He was
a member of the sj^ecial session of the legislature called by Governor Hanly
in the fall of 1908 which passed both the "night rider" and the county local
option bills, of which Mr. Simison was an ardent supporter and was espe-
cially interested in the passage of the latter. He has always been a very
enthusiastic supporter of the Republican party. He is regarded by his fellow
colleagues in the legislature as a man of sound judgTnent and as having the
interests of his constituents at heart, consequently his counsel is often sought
in matters of state importance.
]\Ir. Simison is a member of Romney Blue Lodge of Masons, also of the
Scottish Rite in Indianapolis and Murat Temple of the Order of the Mystic
Shrine. For the past six years Doctor Simison has been a member of the
board of trustees of DePauw University and he looks very carefully to the
interests of that noted institution. This honorary position came to him
entirely without solicitation. The Doctor has long taken a great interest
in church afifairs and has been a member of the Methodist church in Romney
practically all his life, as was also his wife, the local congregation having
been greatly benefitted by their devotic n to its work. The Doctor has served
both as steward and trustee of the local congregation, still retaining these
positions on the board. In the fall of 1907 he was elected delegate to attend
the session of the Methodist general conference which convened in Baltimore,
Maryland, on May 5, 1908, lasting thirty days.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 975
Doctor Simison has been a man of thrift, always indnstriou5 and honest
in his dealings with his fellowmen. He now owns nearly two thonsmd
acres of good land in Tippecanoe and IMontgomery counties, which is kept in
an excellent state of improvement under the careful management of its owner.
He is also interested with his brother in a large grain elevator in Romney.
Personally, Doctor Simison is a gentleman of unblemished renutition,
according to the statement of those who have known him from childhood,
and his private character and impurtant trusts have always been abo\-e re-
proach. He is a \'igorous and independent thinker, a wide reader, and he
has the courage of his convictions upon all subjects which be in\-estigates.
In all the relations of life be has proven faithful to every trust reposed in
him and he has justly won the unqualified esteem of the people of this and
adjoining counties whose interests he has ever had at heart.
WILLIAM H. WARE, M. D.
Concentration of purpose and persistently-applied energy rarely fail of
success in the accomplishment of any task, ho\vever great, and in tracing the
career of Dr. W. H. Ware, of Clark's Hill, Lauramie township, Tippecanoe
county, Indi ma, it is plainly seen that these qualities have been the secret of
his rise to a position of prominence and respectability. Moreover he pos-
sesses genuine love for his work and regards it as a privilege to carry com-
fort and aid to the sick and suffering.
Doctor Ware was born in Parke county, Indiana, on November 4. 1847,
the son of Charles W. and Minerva A. (Schockey) Ware, the former a
native of Kentucky. He was a man of much enterprise and he and his
estimable wife were people of much sterling worth who belonged to that
class of worthy pioneers whom nothing daunted.
Dr. W. H. Ware was educated in the common schools of Parke county,
Indiana, later attending Bloomingdale College, where he remained two years
and received a good literary education. He spent the days of his voung
manhood in a manner similar to most other contemporary boys, and in cast-
ing about for a life work he decided to devote his future years to the study
and practice of medicine. With this end in view, he began reading medicine
with Doctor McElroy in Danville, Illinois. He entered the Cincinnati ]\Ieil-
ical College in 1867, pursued a full course and, after making a verv com-
mendable record for scholarship, was graduated from that famous institution
976 PAST AND PRESENT
in March, 1869. He located in Boone county, Indiana, where he remained
for a period of twenty years and where he built up a very lucrative practice,
having established an office at Dover in 1869. Then, much to the regret
of his many patients and friends in Boone county, he moved to Bowers
Station, Montgomery county, where he practiced with his usual success for
a period of sixteen years. He came to Clark's Hill, Tippecanoe county, in
1905, and has succeeded in building up a very extensive nract'"'^ here, being
busy at all times attending to his numerous patients who may be found
in a wide range of territory. Although he has been in Lauramie township
but a few years, his name has become a household word here and he has suc-
ceeded in winning his way into the hearts of the people by reason of his
eminent ability as a physician and also because of his exemplary life.
Doctor Ware has been twice married, both of his wives being deceased,
and he has no children. The Doctor is a member of Darlington Lodge, No.
186, Free and Accepted Masons; Darlington Lodge, No. 159, Knights of
Pythias ; also the Improved Order of Red Men, Lodge No. 194, in all of
which he is deeply interested. He is a member of the United Brethren
church and a liberal supporter of the same. In politics he is a Republican,
having long been an active worker in the party. He is a member of the
Boone County Medical Society; also the state and national medical associa-
tions. The Doctor is a man deserving of the high esteem in which he is
held, owing to his genuine worth, his public spirit and integrity.
WILLIAM C. DAVISSON.
One of the well-known agriculturists of Jackson townsliip. Tippecanoe
county, is William C. Davisson, who was born September 19, 1852, in the
locality where he new resides, and where, near his parents" home, he attended
the common schools. He later entered Wabash College at Crawfrn-dsville,
where he remained for two and one-half years, where he pursued a general
course of study and was making a splendid record when he was compelled to
withdraw from that institution before his graduation on account of his fa-
ther's death, his services on the home farm being needed. He is the son of
David J. and Sarah (Shepherd) Davisson. both parents natives of Adams
county, Ohio. They came to Indiana when young and were married in Tijv
pecanoe county, and soon took up farming in Jackson township where they
prospered and remained until their deaths. Besides successfully conducting
ccyz^ty-^yy
TIPPECANOE COUNTYj IND. 977
his farm, David J. Davisson devoted considerable time to the practice of law,
having been a member of the Lafayette bar, his practice having been prin-
cipally before justices of the peace, having made a specialty of settling es-
tates, for which work he was known far and near. His death occurred in
1874, when fifty-six years old, his wife having sur\-ived him a few years,
dying in January, 1877, at the age of sixty-two. They sleep the eternal sleep
side by side in Sugar Grove cemetery. They were highly honored by all who
knew them for their upright lives and kindly dispositions. To them seven
children were born, William C. of this review having been the sixth in order
of birth and all being deceased except the subject and one sister, Susan, who
makes her home with him. In order of birth they were Nellie, John B.. an
infant who died unnamed, Susan, Annie E., William C. and Sarah J.
William C. Davisson continued to live on the farm with his mother after
the death of his father. He was married iNlarch 23, 1875, to Samantha
Arnett, who was born at Fortville, Hancock county, Indiana, February 23,
1852, the daughter of Jasper N. and Elizabeth (Wallace) Arnett, the former
a native of Indiana and the latter of South Carolina. They were married in
this state, in which they remained until their deaths, Mr. Arnett having died
January i, 1908, at the age of seventy-eight years, having been preceded to
the silent land by his wife in 1906, who died when seventy-two years old.
They were both buried in Sugar Grove, Tippecanoe county, and were known
and respected for their honesty and hospitality. To them three children were
born, all of whom are living, their parents having lived to see the youngest
one pass the half century mark.
Since the marriage of William C. Davisson he has been conducting the
farm on which he was born. It consists of one hundred and thirty-two and
one-half acres, all in Jackson township and in one body which he has under
a high state of cultivation and well improved. His sister, Susan, who has
remained unmarried, is the owner of sixty-five and one-fourth acres of excel-
lent farming land which lies just across the road from the land owned by
William C. Davisson. She carries on general farming and also raises con-
siderable stock of all kinds, receiving a very comfortable annual income from
each source. Mr. Davisson is a breeder of Shorthorn cattle and Shropshire
sheep, both thoroughbred and could easily be registered, should he care to
go to the trouble. He has reaped large success from the first, owing to his
careful and systematic methods coupled with innate ability. He has a very
commodious and comfortable home in a beautiful location, and everything
ahiiut his place shows thrift and prosperitv.
(62)
978 PAST AND PRESENT
Mr. and Mrs. Davisson are the parents of nine children, all livingr and
only one married, Edward G.. wiio chose as a life partner Effie White: they
reside in Indianapolis. \'inton is a practicing physician in West Lafayette.
The other children are all single and living at home, namely: Morton L.,
Annie E., Bruce, Everett A., Burt S., Nellie B. and William McKinley.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Davisson belongs to Lodge No. 228,
Knights of Pythias, at New Richmond, Indiana, in which he has passed
all the chairs. He has always been a loyal supporter of the Republican party,
following in the footsteps of his father, the latter having been a strong aboli-
tionist in his day. \\'illiam C. Davisson takes a very active part in local
political matters, and he very ably and acceptably served as county commis-
sioner for two terms of three years each, having made one of the best com-
missioners Tippecanoe county ever had, according to the statement of many
of his constituents, irrespective of party. He also held the office of township
assessor for five years, during which time he assessed Jackson township five
times. He has also served as road supervisor several times. ]\Ir. and Mrs.
Davisson and their children are attendants of the ^Methodist Episcopal church
at Sugar Grove, all taking a very active part in the affairs of the congregation
there, while his wife and daughters lend great assistance in the furtherance
of both home and foreign missionary work. ^Ir. Davisson is a very liberal
contributor to the church and all matters pertaining thereto. He is a most
companionable gentleman and all who come within the range of his influence
are profuse in their praise of his admirable qualities.
THOMAS NEWELL CONARROE.
A man deserving honorable mention in this book is Thomas N. Conar-
roe, of Lauramie township, Tippecanoe county, who was born in Wea town-
ship, this county, November 21, 1854, the son of Joseph and Sarah (Walton)
Conarroe, and the grandson of Job Conarroe. The latter came to Tippe-
canoe county, Indiana, when a lad| twelve years old, having entered land
in Wea township, becoming in time one of the progressive pioneers of the
county. He was a man of strong characteristics, as was also his son Joseph,
the latter having been a man of enterprise, a prosperous farmer, and a man
of influence in his township. He became the father of four children, namely :
Charles, who lives in Montgomery county; Thomas Newell, of this review;
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 979
Job, who lives in Randolph township, this county; Lizzie, who marrried
William Schultz, is now deceased, having left two children.
Thomas N. Conarroe was reared and educated in Wea township, having
gained a fairl}' good text-book training in the common schools. He re-
mained at home assisting with the work about the place until after his fa-
ther's death. When he was thirty-four years old he moved onto a farm
on Wild Cat prairie, in Sheffield township, where he remained for three
years, getting a good start, and then moved onto his present place, one of
the richest and best improved farms in the township. It consisted of three
hundred and seven acres and yields abundant crops from year to year under
Mr. Conarroe's skillful management. On it stands a comfortable and sub-
stantial dwelling, amid beautiful surroundings; also a large barn and other
outbuildings in good repair. He carries on general farming and stock-
raising in a manner that stamps him as an agriculturist of no mean ability,
and, besides living comfortably, he is laying by a competence for his declining
years.
■Mr. Conarroe was married in 1883 to Ann E. Lucas, daughter of
George Lucas, a well-known resident of Sheffield township, this county, and
to them was born a son, Portie, who died at the age of eighteen months.
Mrs. Lucas received her education in the common schools, and she has
proven to be a most faithful helpmeet to her husband in managing their fine
farm and she keeps her home tidy and neat at all times. She is a member
of the JNIethodist Episcopal church at Stockvrell. In politics Mr. Conarroe is
a stanch Republican.
Mr. and Mrs. Conarroe are people who look on the sunny side of life.
ever hopeful that the good will rule instead of the bad, and as a result of
such fortunate dispositions they make it pleasant for those whom they may
chance to meet and who visit them in their beautiful home.
JOSEPH ELLIS.
Among the early settlers of Ohio and Indiana no name was better
known than that of Ellis. Thomas Ellis, of whom full particulars are given
on another page of this work, was one of the hard-working pioneers in Ohio
when that state was still young. His son, Joseph Ellis, born September 16,
1 82 1, was the third child in a large family and grew amid the hard sur-
roundings that beset all boys of the pioneer period. He married Elizabeth
980 PAST AND PRESENT
Jane, daughter of James Seller, an early settler of ^Montgomery county, a
captain in the Black Hawk war and a man of local note in his day. Joseph
Ellis, after his marriage, lived at home for a time and then removed to
Montgomery county, but soon returned to Tippecanoe county and located
on a farm in Lauramie township, where he spent the balance of his life.
He owned about three hundred acres of land, part of which was entered
by his father. He cleared the larger portion and during his lifetime was
regarded as one of the county's successful farmers. He had eleven children,
of whom the following survive: James D., of Indianapolis; Thomas P.;
Howard O., of Montgomery county; Laura, wife of Edward Hanger, of
Stockwell; John, deceased; Mary C, deceased wife of George Kennedy;
Addie, wife of Wilson G. Clark, of near Gladden's Corners.
Thcmas P. Ellis, second child of Joseph, was born in Montgomery
county, Indiana, December 11, 1853, and got a limited education while as-
sisting his father on the farm. After the latter's death, he managed the
farm for his mother. He spent eighteen months in Crawfordsville, but since
then has li\-e(l on his farm of one hundred and nineteen acres, part of which
is the land entered by his grandfather. He has built a fine home on the
place, besides the necessary barn and outhouses incidental to an up-to-date
farm.
On October 25. 1882, ]Mr. Ellis married Emma C. Gladden, born ]\Iay
5, 1854, and descended from one of the most famous of the pioneer families.
Her parents were Richard and Frances (Ellis) Gladden, the former born
February i, 181 8, in ^Montgomery county, Ohio. The only education he
got was obtained by three months' attendance in four winter schools. His
father, William Gladden ( see sketch on another page ) , died when he was
seventeen years old and the management of the estate fell upon his youthful
shoulders. Though a mere boy, he proved equal to the task, was of great
assistance to his mother in caring for a large family and became a successful
farmer. Before his marriage he bought forty acres of land in Lauramie
township and as he prospered added other land until his holdings amounted to
two hundred and sixty acres at the time of his death. This he had cleared
and brought into excellent condition for agricultural purposes, having fine
buildings of all kinds suitable for farms. In early manhood he espoused the
temperance cause with great ardor and became a memlier of the Sons of
Temperance. At first an old-time Whig, voting in 1840 for William Henry
Harrison, he afterwards became a Republican and adhered to that organiza-
tion throughout his life. Fie held a few minor offices, including that of
trustee if Lauramie township, which he filled for three years. October 31,
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 98 1
1841, he married Mary Madalene Ellis (see sketch of Thomas Ellis), and
after her death he espoused her sister Frances, who became the mother of
the following children: Emma C, wife of Thomas P. Ellis: Marcus P.:
Eliza, wife of T- W. Peters, of Lauramie township, and William H., also a
resident of Lauramie township. When Richard Gladden died, on Fel)ruary
6, 1902. everybody said that Tippecanoe county had lost one of her grandest
citizens. He came as near being a model man as is permitted to our im-
perfect characters and during his long life was an example to young and
old, of integrity, honesty, and square dealing with his fellowmen. His wife
also was an estimable woman, far above the ordinary in the domestic virtues
and all that goes to make a true womanhood.
Thomas P. Ellis and wife have had two children: Joseph Gladden,
born August 15, 1883, and Ora Howard, born March 8, 1886. ]\Ir. Ellis
is a member of Odd Fellows Lodge No. 439. at Stockwell, and is a past
grand of the order. His youngest son is also a member of the same order
and holds the office of recording secretary. He is also chancellor commander
of the Knighls of Pythias, Lodge No. 350, at Stockwell. Tippecanoe coun-
ty has had no better farmers, no better men nor finer citizens than the
Ellises and Gladdens. Their word is as good as their bond, and no man
could ever justly accuse any one of them of a dishonorable act.
FRANK B. EVERETT.
A well-remembered attorney-at-law and a man who proved his loyalty
to the government and his patriotism in upholding the national union was
the late Frank B. Everett, a man of unusual mental endowments and one
who had no enemies owing to his honorable relations with his fellowmen in
all capacities. He was bom in Jefiferson county, New York, December 2,
183 1, the son of Brainard Everett, a farmer and a man of sterling qualities,
who was born in 1807. He married Flavella Britten, also a nnative of that
state, born in 1806. To this union eight children were born, seven of whom
grew to maturity, among whom were three sons, Frank being the oldest son.
They were given such educational advantages as were possible for those
early days. Frank B. Everett, believing that the West held greater oppor-
tunities for him, started for the Hoosier state when he was twenty-two years
old. locating at Lafayette in 1852. The town was small, but he saw possi-
bilities for future growth and importance and decided to cast his lot here.
90^ PAST AND PRESENT
Having received a college training in the East prior to his coming here, he
was enabled to teach school in order to get a start, his first teaching having
been done at Crawfordsville. but desiring to take up the law, for which
he seemed to be fitted by nature, he abandoned teaching and came to Lafay-
ette for the purpose of beginning the study of jurisprudence, entering the
law office of Colonel Styles, with whom he made rapid progress and in
due time became a prominent figure at the local bar.
In 1857 Mr. Everett chose as a life partner Emma Brackney, the wed-
ding occurring on May 12th. She is the daughter of Benjamin and Amy
(Brown) Brackney, having received her education irl Illinois, also in the
common and high schools of Lafayette. She developed into a very able
scholar and a woman of extraordinary culture. She was born in Philadel-
phia, Pennsylvania. September 12, 1836. Her father was a farmer and
house-mover and rebuilder, having moved most of the old houses off the
public square in Lafayette. His family consisted of four children, including
Emma, widow of Frank B. Everett, and a son, John S. Brackney. The
latter lives in Chicago, the head of a large packing concern, and is married
and has two children.
To Frank B. Everett and wife five children were born, out of which
number four sons grew to maturity, namely: Eugene, born December 27,
1858, is an attorney and real estate dealer, is unmarried and lives at home;
Ida ]\Iay died when four years old; David was born January 19, 1866, is
married and has two children, and lives on a farm in Benton county, Indiana ;
Thomas was born December 27, 1867, has remained single; he was educated
in Lafayette and prepared himself for the law, but abandoned that profes-
sion and is now handling paints in Chicago. William Everett was bom
April 19, 1878, educated in Lafayette and became bailiff under Judge De-
Hart, which position he very creditably filled for a period of eight years ; he
is now engaged in the roofing business, in Chicago, is married and has
four children.
The old Everett home, which is a cozy and nicely-kept one. is located
at Xo. 1808 Kossuth street. All the children were born and reared in this
home, to which they all return each year for a pleasant visit. Five acres of
rich ground surround the house.
Frank B. Everett, as already intimated, was a soldier in the Civil war,
having served faithfully in the Seventy-second Regiment Indiana Volunteer
Infantry, having enlisted in Company C, from Lafayette, which was com-
manded for the most part by Brig.-Gen. E. Dumont. Mr. Everett was never
wounded, but was compelled to spend some time in the hospital. He was
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 983
discharged as first lieutenant, having won such promotion during his service
of eight months. He received a pension of seventeen dollars per month.
After an active and useful life. Mr. Everett was called to his reward on
September 15, 1905.
Although now seventy-three years of age. Mrs. Emma Everett looks
much younger, being strong physically and mentally and in full possession
of all her natural faculties. She is a faithful member of the Baptist church.
WILLIAM LY^IAN JONES. ■
]\Iost of the brave "boys in blue,'" who sacrificed so much during the
great crisis in our nation's history, have crossed death's mystic stream,
leaving behind them a nobler heritage than we of the aftermath often fully
appreciate. Of that great army the gentleman whose life record is briefly
outlined in the following paragraphs is rightly numbered, since he gave up
the pleasures of his own fireside, the possibilities of a thriving business and
willingly offered his services and his life, if need be, for what? That those
who should come after him could enjoy the fruits of a peaceful and united
country. To such heroes all honor is due.
W^illiam Lyman Jones was born in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, in 1837,
the son of Mr. and Mrs. Nimrod Jones, whose family consisted of four chil-
dren, three daughters and one son. The latter. \\'illiam Lyman, was edu-
cated in the common schools of his native community and in Lafayette.
He took to farming, which he followed for several years with success, but
later, having taken an interest in local political and public affairs, he was
slated for a position on the police force of the city of Lafayette, which he
held for a number of years to the entire satisfaction of all concerned, always
faithful in the performance of his duty, however hazardous or arduous.
Mr. Jones gallantly served for a period of three years as a soldier
in the ranks of the Twenty-second Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry,
under Colonel Robinson. Although he escaped without a wound, he was at
one time in the hospital, and subsequently was honorably discharged.
Mr. Jones was united in marriage with Leah Frances Wait on January
9. 1870. She is the daughter of Samuel Wait, who also was a sc^ldier in the
L^nion army, a member of the Fortieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry,
having been one of the first to enlist in 1861 and served during the entire
conflict. He was faithful in the discharge of his duty and eventually rose to
984 PAST AND PRESENT
the rank of captain. He is now deceased. He was a native of the state
of New York and his wife was a native of Tippecanoe county. They were
the parents of eight children, an equal number of boys and girls, Leah
Frances being the third child in order of birth.
To Mr. and Mrs. William Lyman Jones one son was born, named
Nimrod, whose date of birth was December 8, 1875, in Lafayette. He
was educated in the city schools, and first started in life as a grocery clerk,
later became a member of. the local fire department, being now located at
No. 3 Engine House, as hoseman. On September 11, 1895, he married
Grace Belle Mohr. the daughter of Aaron and Elizabeth Mohr and born in
Elpaso, Illinois, May 27, 1877, being one of three children in the Mohr fam-
ily. Mrs. Grace M. Jones was educated in the schools at Saybrook, Illinois.
She and her husband li\e very happily at No. 1427 Kossuth street, Lafayette,
with- Mrs. William Lyman Jones, to whom this comfortable home belongs.
The family belong to the Congress Street Methodist church, and are held
in high esteem by their neighbors. The death of William Lyman Jones oc-
curred August 18. 1886. He was a good man and popular among a host of
friends.
ELLIS QUAINTANCE.
Samuel Ouaintance, a Virginian of the Quaker persuasion, married
Abigail Solomon and when both were young settled in Ohio, two miles north
of Bucyrus, when there were few people there besides Indians. He entered
three hundred acres of land, and, besides farming, conducted a horse-power
mill, which was later replaced by water power. He married twice and had
two sons by his first wife, to whom he gave a considerable amount of his
land. By the second wife there were thirteen children, eight sons and five
daughters. George, the eldest, enlisted in the One Hundred First Regiment
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and died at Nashville of poison. John, the second
son, served three years in the Twelfth Regiment Indiana Cavalry and died
six weeks after leaving the army. David, the third son, died in i860. But-
ler, a resident most of his life at Buck Creek, Indiana, finally ended his life
there. Samuel, now dead, was a farmer in Fairfield township. Thomas, a
member of the Sevent3'-seventh Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, died
in 1862, at Gallatin, Tennessee. Eli first joined Company G, Fifty-fifth
Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, but later served in the One Hundred
Sixteenth, One Hundred Thirtv-fifth and One Hundred Fiftv-fourth Indiana
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 985
Regiments, and was at Harper's Ferry when the war closed, now being a
resident of Kokomo. Kate, Samson and Ruth are deceased. Ann married
Hiram Birch, who was in the One Hundred Fiftieth Indiana Regiment.
Mary is now the widow of John Watson, of Indianapolis.
Ellis Quaintance, seventh in the above list of children, was born in
Crawford county, Ohio, August 2, 1842. His father died in Crawford
county, when the subject was eight years old, and the latter worked out until
the Civil war, when he enlisted, in April, 1861, in Company C, Fifteenth
Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for the three-months service. After
serving his term in Virginia, he came to Buck Creek, Tippecanoe county, en-
listed in Company G, Fifty-fifth Indiana Regiment at Logansport, went with
his command to Indianapolis, thence to Dearborn, Michigan, by boat to Cleve-
land on to Cincinnati, finally joining the "Persimmon Brigade" in Kentucky.
Then followed a severe march of one hundred and sixty miles to east Ten-
nessee, which took two weeks, and considerable fighting ensued under Gen-
eral Burnside at various places, including Blue Springs and Tazewell. After
eight months with his regiment, Mr. Quaintance came home and enlisted in
Company C, One Hundred Thirty-fifth Indiana Regiment, as color-bearer,
going with this command to Louisville, Nashville, Bridgeport, Stephenson,
Alabama, and Tullahoma. He was discharged at Indianapolis in 1864,
returned home and enlisted in the Twelfth Indiana Battery, with which he
served a vear at Ft. Nagley, Nashville. He was attached to the largest
gun in the battery, remained with it to the close of the war and returned
home.
Few soldiers have had a more varied or creditable record than Mr.
Quaintance, as he is able to show five honorable discharges as well as a roll
of honor presented to him by Abraham Lincoln. Besides all this, he served
six years in the state militia as a private in Battery C. At one time during
the Civil war he held a commission as lieutenant of his company. After the
war, Mr. Quaintance settled in Tippecanoe county as a farmer and ran a
threshing machine for thirty years. He is well known in the county and has
many warm friends. For some years he has lived in Wea township and on
Decoration Day, 1908, had erected a life-size monument of himself in the
Fink cemetery.
In 1868 Mr. Quaintance married Sarah, daughter of Andrew and Eliza
(Cunningham) Gates, of Wea township, who died in 1878, leaving one son.
His second wife was Laura Long, of Rush county, by whom he had five
children. Laura, the eldest, married Lewis Douglas, and resides near Cairo,
9oD PAST AND PRESENT
Illinois. John, who married Florence Kidwell. is a farmer in Wea town-
ship. Alva, who married Lida Acers, lives with his father. Ira and Emma
are also at home. Robert, the only child by the first marriage, married
Minnie Sheirer and is a fireman in the gas works at Lafayette. For two
years after the war Mr. Ouaintance lived in Wea township, then in Wash-
ington township, but finally returned to Wea for final residence. He is a
member of Logan Post No. 3, Grand Army of the Republic, at Lafayette,
and has been a stanch Republican all his life.
ASAHEL B. CONN.
All honor should be given the sterling men who have come down to us
from the pioneer days of the Hoosier state's interesting histon,-, for they
have performed a greater work in transforming the wilderness into pleasant
places, "making the desert to blossom as the rose,"' than we are often prone
to accredit them. One of that praiseworthy number is Asahel B. Conn, a
well-known farmer of Jackson township, Tippecanoe county, who was born
February 26, 1839, i" Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. When twelve years
of age he came to Indiana with his parents and his early education was
obtained in the free schools of Cass county ; however, it was limited, owing
1-0 lack of adequate advantages in the pioneer days. He is the son of David
and Anna (Burnham) Conn, both natives of Pennsylvania, where they were
reared and married. They came to Indiana in the fall of 1851, David Conn
entering land in Pulaski county from the g-overnment at one dollar and
twenty-five cents per acre. After clearing and improving the same, they dis-
posed of it and moved to Cass county, Indiana, where they purchased eighty
acres upon which they spent the remainder of their lives. David Conn died
in 1868, having been over sixty-five years of age, being survived by his
widow several years, she attaining the advanced age of eighty-four years;
both are buried near Royal Center, Cass county. They were the parents of
ten children, eight of whom grew to maturity, that number still living, Asahel
B. being the third in order of birth. Those living besides him are Lucitta,
Mary, Ruth, Christina Ann, Susan, Henry and David.
Asahel B. Conn remained at home assisting with the work about the
place until he married Nancy Jane Binns, January 3. 1869. She was born
in Ohio. June 10, 1849, the daughter of \\'illiani and Louisa Binns. both
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 987
natives of the Buckeye state, having been reared in Ross county, where they
were married. Later moving to Indiana, they settled in Cass county on a
farm where the father died, the mother surviving him several years, dying
in Tippecanoe county. They were the parents of fourteen children.
It was in 1872 that Asahel B. Conn and wife moved to Tippecanoe
county where Mr. Conn farmed as a renter until 1899, then bought one
hundred and thirty acres of well-improved land upon which he now lives,
having brought the place up to a high state of improvement. He carries
on general farming most successfully and has a comfortable home.
Mrs. Conn was called to her reward on March 11, 1903, when fifty-
four years old, and she sleeps the sleep of the just beside her mother, in
South Raub cemetery, Randolph township.
To Mr. and Mrs. Asahel B. Conn eleven children were born, eight of
whom grew to maturity, three dying in childhood. They are: Elizabeth A.,
the wife of George W. Kite, residing in North Dakota ; William H. married
Lillie Clearwater, and they reside at Malott Park, Marion county, Indiana,
being the parents of four children, Carl, Iva, Goldie and Elva. David Conn
married Florence Kern; they reside in North Dakota and are the parents of
one child, Elzie. Florence married Clint M. Francis; they reside on a farm
in Jackson township. Asahel E., Albert B., Charles and Bertha, all single,
are at home with their father on the farm.
Asahel B. Conn is a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted February
15, 1865, in Company F, One Hundred and Fifty-first Regiment Indiana
Volunteer Infantry, under command of Capt. A. B. Davidson. He received
an honorable discharge at Nashville, Tennessee, September 19. 1865, the
war having ended. During his term of service he was assigned to general
duties around Nashville and other towns in Tennessee, doing considerable
scouting duty, and once served as a train guard to Louisville, Kentucky.
Mr. Conn's father was an old-time Whig, and, following in his foot-
steps, the subject has always been a loyal Republican, that party having
succeeded the Whig party. He is also a strong supporter of the county's
local option law, and an advocate of the temperance cause. He has never
held public of^ce, although often solicited to do so. Mr. Conn and his
family are members of the Free Methodists at Antioch, Mrs. Conn having
been also a member of this church up to her death. The family is active
in church work and loyal supporters of its various lines of endeavor. Mr.
Conn is faithful in his attendance in the church and is an of^cer in the same.
He is held ill high favor by all who know him for his life of industry,
honestv and kind and considerate treatment of his fellowmen.
PAST AND PRESENT
ROBERT HENRY HOWELL.
Any piece of biographical writing should have an autobiographic qual-
ity ; should be an impression and interpretation, quite as much as a summary
of facts. Facts, to be sure, are of use. but in the condensed narrative of a
life there is danger that they may unduly predominate. In studying a clean-
cut, distinct character like that of the subject, interpretation directly follows
fact. His character is the positive expression of a strong nature. A partial
revelation of his prolific application, sturdy patriotism, and eminently suc-
cessful life will be found through perusal of this brief tribute.
Robert Henry Howell was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, on
the 1 2th day of January, 1840, and is a son of Robert and Catherine
(Newett) Howell. These parents were natives of Ireland and were mar-
ried and had one child in their native land. They came to America about
seventy-three years ago and located at New Brunswick. New Jersey, where
they lived until about twenty years ago, when they came to Tippecanoe coun-
ty, Indiana, and spent the remainder of their days here in retirement. The
father was a shoemaker by trade and followed this vocation until coming
West. His death occurred about fourteen years ago. He was a member of
the Episcopal church and stood high in the estimation of those who knew
him. He was the father of seven children, of whom but three are now living,
namely: Philip, of West Lafayette; Robert, subject of this sketch, and
Sarah, who resides in Lafayette.
Robert Henry Howell secured a limited education in the subscription
and free schools, but has by persistent reading and keen observation become a
well-informed man. He remained under the parental roof until about
eighteen years old. when he went to Princeton. New Jersey, and apprenticed
himself to learn the trade of carriage-maker. He had served but three years
at this work, when the great rebellion broke out in the Southland and the
subject, heeding his country's cry for help, enlisted in the First Regiment
New Jersey Cavalry. He served three years, during most of which time he
was with the Army of the Potomac, doing scout and skirmish duty. This
was arduous and dangerous work and during his service Mr. Howell had
several horses shot from under him. but was himself not seriously injured.
At one time he was sent with secret dispatches from Leesburg to Point of
Rocks and had an exciting time getting back to the Union lines, having
a close horse race with a number of the enemy who were determined on his
capture. He was discharged from the army in 1864 and then for a short
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 9«g
time was employetl in a wagon shop in Washington, District of Cohimbia.
On the (lay President Lincohi was assassinated, Air. Howell started for the
West and came to Lafayette, Indiana, where he went into the bottling busi-
ness with his brother. Subsequently he decided to take up agriculture and
located on a tract of land about five miles north of where he now lives.
He successfully operated this farm until about a year ago, when he came
to his present place. He has a splendid farm, located in section 36, Shelby
township, and has made many substantial and permanent improvements.
The place is kept up to the highest standard of excellence and Mr. Howell
will undoubtedly achieve here the same degree of success which has at-
tended his efforts elsewhere.
In 1873 Mr. Howell married Theresa Kane, a native of Gliiucester,
Xew Jersey, and to this union have been born seven children, as follows :
Joseph, deceased ; Richard, who is married and lives in Memphis, Tennes-
see; Gertrude is a member of a sisterhood of the Roman Catholic church
at Chicago; Sadie is a teacher and lives at home; Robert, who is a farmer
at Octagon, this county, married Bessie Neville, and they have one child ;
Katherine is a teacher and lives at .home; Mamie, at home.
The subject is identified with the Republican party, but takes no very
active part in politics. His religious membership is in the Catholic church.
Because of his well-crdered life and the many fine personal qualities of
character. ]\Ir. Howell is accounted one of the leading men of his township
and is deserving of the high regard in which he is held.
JOHN W. McCORKLE.
The record nf the gentleman whose name forms the caption of this
biographical re\-iew is that of r> man who has worked his wav from modest
beginnings to a place of influence and financial ease, his life having been one
of unceasii^g industry and perseverance, and the notably svstematic and
honorable methods he has employed have won him the unljounded confidence
and regard of those with whom he has come into contact.
John W. McCorkle, well-known banker and representative citizen of
\\'ingate, Montgomery county, Indiana, was born in Tippecanoe countv,
throughout which he is popular, his birth occurring on May 15, 1868. He
attended the public schools in Jackson township, and later attended Purdue
University at Lafayette, having been in the class of 1889, making a most
990 PAST AND PRESENT
commendable record in the same. After finishing his education he taught
school several terms at Sycamore and Fairview in Jackson township, also
taught the New Comber school in Sheffield township, five miles northeast
of Stockwell, having won a very favorable reputation among both patrons
and pupils, and had he continued in this line of work he would have no doubt
become one of the noted educators of this part of the state. However, be-
lieving that the world of business held greater attractions and opportunities
for him he engaged in the banking business at Wingate in 1901, becoming
cashier of the Farmers' Bank, which position he still very creditably holds,
giving every evidence of a man of natural business acumen of no mean
order and by his courteous and considerate treatment o-f the bank's numer-
ous patrons he has added much to the prestige of this popular institution.
John W. McCorkle is the son of Andrew C. and Polly A. (Meharry)
McCorkle, the former a native of Putnam county and the latter of Mont-
gomery county, Indiana. They were married at the home of the latter in
Montgomery county, June 30, 1864. After remaining about one year in
that county, they moved to Tippecanoe county, where they engaged in farm-
ing and became well established, improving a valuable place and laying by
a competency by reason of their industry and habits of economy. The
mother, whose birth occurred in 1838, died August 17, 1887, at the age of
forty-nine years, and she sleeps the sleep of the just in the Meharry cem-
etery near Wingate, Montgomery county. Her husband lives in the city of
Lafayette, having reached the age of seventy-two years.
To Mr. and Mrs. Andrew C. McCorkle two children were born. Charles
A. and John W., the subject of this review being the younger. Andrew C.
McCorkle married a second time, his last wife being Julia Martin, this union
resulting in the birth of one child that died in infancy.
John W. McCorkle's happy domestic life began on October 24, 1894,
in Tippecanoe county, when he espoused Carrie M. Devore, a native of Jack-
son township, this' county, where her birth occurred January 18. 1873. Her
parents were both relatives of Indiana, in which state they married and made
their home. Her mother died in 1893, when forty years old, and is buried
in Wheeler cemetery. Her maiden name was Allis Borum. Her husband,
Jerry Devore, has since again married, his last wife being Lula Broe ; they
reside in North Dakota. To Mr. Devore and his first wife four children
were born, Carrie M., Alta A., Okh and Charles T., all of whom grew to
maturity and are still living, Mrs. McCorkle being the oldest in order of
birth. No children have been born to Mr. Devore by his last marriage. To
Mr. and Mrs. John W. McCorkle three children have been born, one boy
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 99I
and two girls, namely: Charles Howard, born April zj. 1897: Alice A.,
born April 10, 1899; Mildred C, born April 8, 1904.
Mr. McCorkle, as already intimated, has been a very successful man in
his business career. Besides his holdings in the Farmers' Bank at Wingate,
he is the owner of five hundred and eighty acres of land in Jackson town-
ship, Tippecanoe county, also owns one hundred and sixty acres in Mont-
gomery county, besides his residence property in Wingate where he re-
sides, which is a modern, beautiful and commodious home, presided over
with rare grace by Mrs. McCorkle. who together with her genial husband
make their many friends feel an old-time hospitality when they visit there.
Mr. McCorkle's farms are highly improved in every respect, and under an
excellent system, all the modern methods known to progressive and up-to-
date agriculturists being employed in such a manner as to bring the greatest
results. On the farms good buildings are to be found and livestock of ex-
cellent grades. No better land is to be found in either Tippecanoe or Mont-
gomery counties.
Mr. McCorkle has always been a Republican and deeply interested in
the success of his party's principles, having long taken an active part in local
political matters. He is a strong advocate of the local option movement in-
dorsed by the Republican party in 1908 in this state. He has been many
times solicited by his friends and neighbors to serve them in some official
capacity, but he has never consented to do so, preferring to devote his time
to his business afifairs ; however, any movement calculated to benefit the coun-
ty or community finds in him a loyal supporter.
Fraternally he is a Mason, having attained the thirty-second degree, be-
longing to Mercer Lodge, No. 633, at Wingate; he also belongs to Com-
mandery No. 3, Knights Templar, at Lafayette, and he has taken the thirty-
second degree of the Scottish rite at Indianapolis. He has served as wor-
shipful master in the blue lodge, also other chairs in the order. He takes
an abiding interest in this ancient and honorable order and one would judge
from his daily life that he endeavors to carry out the sublime precepts and
doctrines of the same in his dealings with his fellowmen.
Both Mr. and Mrs. McCorkle are members of the Methodist Episcopal
church at Wingate, being active in' all lines of church work, Mr. McCorkle
holding the ofifice of trustee, and Mrs. McCorkle being an active and infiuen-
tia! member of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, being an ardent
supporter of all phases of religious work. She is a woman of pleasing per-
sonality and gracious demeanor. Mr. McCorkle is a most companionable
gentleman and all who come within range of his influence are profuse in
992 ■■ PAST AND PRESENT
their praise of his admirable quaHties of both head and heart, and the high
regard in which he is held not only in the business world but socially infli-
cates the possession of attributes and characteristics that entitle him to the
highest esteem. He is essentially cosmopolitan in his ideas, a man of the
people in all the term implies, and in the best sense of the word a repre-
sentative type of that strong, virile American manhood which commands and
retains respect by reason of inherent merit, sound sense and correct con-
duct.
CASPER RAUSCH.
The career of the subject oi this review illustrates what is possible i;f
accomplishment on the part of the honest and industrious young- man who
leives his native land and identifies himself with the industrial activities of
the great American republic. Mr. Rausch is a sterling representative of the
German-American element in our national life, and is now one of the suc-
cessful farmers of Tippecanoe county, having come here without other rein-
forcement than a stout heart and willing hands and having attained a fair
measure of prosperity through his own efforts.
Casper Rausch is a native of Prussia, Germany, where he was born on
the i8th of February. 1841. and is the son of Nicholas Rausch. The family
cme to this country when the subject was but a lad of five years, landing at
the port of Xew York. They proceeded at once to Wisconsin, most of the
trip being made by water, as railroads in those days were few and far be-
tween. In Wisconsin the father followed agricultural pursuits until his
death, of consumption, at the age of forty-nine years.
The subject of this sketch was early thrown on his own resources and
in 1861. before attaining his majority, he left home to carve his own fortune.
Going to Indianapolis, he was there variously employed until 1867. when he
came to Tippecanoe count}, locating at Octagon. There he engaged in farm-
ing and remained there about fifteen years, being fairly successful in bis
1 ibors. At the end of the period noted he came to Waliasb township and
located at his present place in section 7. Here he has a splendid farm, well
improved, and maintained at the highest standard of excellence. He follows
a diversified system of farming, raising all the crops common to this latitude.
He is progressive and keeps in close touch with the latest ideas in up-to-date
farming methods, the result being that bis returns for bis efYorts are highlv
satisfactory.
CASPER RAUSCH
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 993
In 1866 Mr. Rausch married Anna Stuck, of Indianapolis, but their
wedded life was not of long duration, being broken by the hand of death.
Subsequently he married Katie Bausman, of Dayton, this county, and after
her death he married Anna Thralmer. This union has been blessed in the
birth of seven children, as follows : John, who lives in Wabash township, is
married and the father of four children : Michael married Mary Authrop
and also lives in this township ; Charles married Anna Authrop and lives in
Wabash township; Mary is the wife of Roy Carpenter and lives in Lafay-
ette ; Elizabeth is the wife of Christopher Tillon, of Wea township, and has
one child, Katherine ; Joseph, at home. The family are all members of the
Catholic church at Lafayette. In politics Mr. Rausch is a Democrat, but has
ne\-er taken an active part in matters political, preferring to devote his at-
tention to his private affairs and to the comfort of his family. He has a
splendid home in which he takes a justifiable pride, and in his community he
stands in public estimation. He is a sturdy representative of that foreign-
born element which has played such an important part in the development of
our state and is well entitled to representation in this work
FREDERICK MEYER.
Peter ]\Ieyer and Elizabeth Keinley, though they left Germany at differ-
ent times and by different routes, met by chance, the usual way, at Lafayette,
fell in love with each other, married and settled on a farm in Tippecanoe
county. Here they resided until 1874, when the farm was sold and the pro-
ceeds invested in a grocery store in Lafayette, which Peter Meyer conducted
until his retirement. Frederick Meyer, son of Peter, was born on the farm
in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, June i, 1861, learned the grocery business and
in 1882 was taken in by his father as a partner. The elder Meyer retired two
years later, but the son has continued the business, aside from a brief interval,
until the present time. The firm name now is the Meyer Grocery Company,
and a carefully selected stock of staple and fancy groceries is always carried
and a lively trade is enjoyed, for the reputation of this firm has always been
the best. Aside from business, Mr. Meyer has had a prominent official career
in many lines. Always a Democrat and one of the influential local party
leaders, he has been called upon to serve his party in different capacities and
has never failed to "make good." His first venture into the political field
was as candidate for councilman from the second ward, in 1894, to which
(63)
994 PAST AND PRESENT
office lie was elected for a four-year term. He was put forward by his party
as their caudidate for mayor aud, though he was defeated, he made a highly
creditable race, as the majority against him was only tifty-four. while the city
at that time was about three hundred Republican. The judge of the circuit
court appointed Mr. Meyer a city commissioner to assess damages and l^enefits
to property holders in public improvement cases, and he served satisfactorily
in this important place until Governor Durbin appointed him a member of
the police 1 i ard to hll the unexpired term of Max Pottlitzer, resigned, and
reappointed him twice, after which Go\ernor Hanly appointed him to the
same office, but after ser\iug eighteen months under the Hanly administra-
tion, or a total of five and one-half years, he resigned to accept appointment
by Mavor Durgen as a member of the city Ijoard of public \\urks which
position he has since held, giving satisfaction to all concerned, irrespective
of party affiliations.
Aside from politics, 'Sir. Alever has been connected with many public
movements, organizations and S(ic!eties. He was for some time president
of the local Retail Merchants" Association, and president of the State Mer-
chants' Association, of which he is a charter member. When the Jackson
Club, the local organization of the Democrats, was founded, Mr. Meyer be-
came a charter member and served for three terms as its president. Also on
several different occasions, he served as chairman of the Democratic city
central committee, and in all of his positions displayed the good judgment,
wise decision, self-control and power of planning which make men valuable
in all the walks of life. He is a man of popular manners, genial address
and well liked by all classes of citizens.
]\lr. Meyer married Alary ^Nletzger. a native of Lafayette, and they
have a family of bright children, consisting of six daughters and one son.
They have all had the benefits of the fine schools of Lafayette and some of
them have recei\'ed a musical education.
Mr. ]\Ieyer is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks,
and he was reared in the German Reformed church. Altogether he is one
of Lafavette's most worthv citizens and his influence was never so great as
now, when he is leading member of the important boartl of public works.
AMOS MYERS.
The respect which should always be accorded the brave sons of the
North who left homes and the peaceful pursuits of civil life to give their
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 995
services, and their lives if need be, to preserve the integrity of the American
Union is certainly due the gentleman to a brief review of whose life the fol-
lowing lines are devoted. He proved his loyalty and love to the government
on the long and tiresome marches in all kinds of situations, exposed to
summer's withering heat and winter's freezing cold, on the lonely picket
line a target for the unseen foe, on the tented field and amid the flame and
smoke of battle, where the rattle of the musketry, mingled with the terrible
concussion of the bursting shell and the deep diapason of the cannon's ruar,
made up the sublime but awful chorus of death. For four years Mr. Alyers
gave faithful service to his country, and since returning to peaceful pursuits
he has been equally loyal to the nation's best interests.
Amos Myers is a native son of the old Buckeye state, having been
born in Pickaway county, Ohio, February i, 1841. He was the son of
Reuben and Liza (Reed) Myers, the former of German and the latter of
Scotch descent. Reuben Myers was also a native of Pennsylvania and was
reared and educated in that state until about i860, when he came to Tippe-
canoe county, Indiana, settling in Wabash township. Here he bought im-
proved land and followed the pursuit of agriculture. He was a great home
man and was possessed of many sterling qualities of character which com-
mended him to the high regard of his fellow citizens. In ixilitics he was a
Democrat and took a live interest in the current events of his day. He died at
the age of seventy-three years. His wife was also a native of Ohio and was a
near neighbor of him whose wife she became. To this worthy couple were
born the following children: Martin, deceased; Amos, the immediate sub-
ject of this sketch: Jerome, deceased; Martha, now the wife of David
Widener; Mary, the wife of Abraham Shambough; Malinda, deceased:
Reuben, deceased.
Amos Myers accompanied his parents to their new home in Tippe-
canoe county in i860, and has been a resident of Tippecanoe county ever
since, his only absence from the county being during his service in the army.
His early education was received in the common schools of Pickaway coun-
ty, Ohio, but he has always been a discriminating reader and a close student
of men and events and is considered a well informed man.
In 1861 Mr. Myers enlisted in Company I, Second Regiment New
York Cavalry, with which he served during the following four years. He
was in many of the most important battles and skirmishes during that great
conflict and at all times proved a faithful and valiant soldier. In evidence
of the last statement, the following is a list of the more important engage-
ments in which he participated : In 1862. Bull Run, Antietam, Cedar Creek
996 PAST AND PRESENT
(two battles), Falmouth, Beaver Dam, Fredericks Hall, Hanover Junction,
Brandy Station, Waterloo Bridge, Sulphur Springs, Bristol Station, Manas-
sas, Thoroughfare Gap, Grove Town, second Bull Run, Chantilly, Sudley's
Church, White Plains, Fredericksburg; in 1863, Chickahominy, Chancellors-
ville, Beverly Ford, Brandy Station, Aldie, Middlesburg, Upperville, Carr-
town, Ashby's Gap, Hanover Junction, Gettysburg, Albertstown, Hunter-
town, Round Top, Smithsburg, Jonesboro, Williamsport, Falling Water,
Brandy Station, Culpeper, Raccoon Ford, Robertson River, Liberty Mill,
James City, Brandy Station, New Baltimore, Stevensburg, Mine Run; in
1864, Ellis Ford, Stevensburg, Beaver Dam, South Anne Bridge, Old Church,
New Point C. H., Battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Yellow Tavern,
raid of Richmond, Polecat Station, Cold Harbor, Malvern Hill, Notaway
C. H., Charlestown, Williamsburg, Berryville. Winchester, Fisher's Hill,
Cedar Creek, Mt. Jackson, Harrisonburg, Lucy Springs; in 1865, Char-
lottesville, Whitehouse Landing, Dinwiddle C. H., Five Forks, fall of Peters-
burg, Deep Creek, Lucia Springs, and Appomattox, where Lee surrendered
in 1864, Stony Creek. Ream's Station, Berryville, Fisher's, Bucklan Mills.
The regiment in which Mr. Myers served was successively under the com-
mand of Kilpatrick, Custer and Sheridan, the great cavalry leaders of the
Union army. After the close of hostilities, Mr. Myers received an honor-
able discharge and was mustered out at Washington in June, 1865, after
which he took part in the Grand Review in that city.
Mr. Myers returned to his father's home after leaving the army and
engaged in farming, which pursuit he has followed during the subsequent
years and in which he has been fairly successful. He carries on general
farming and also gives some special attention to the growing of watermelons
and canteloupes, for which he finds a ready market. Mr. Myers, with the
assistance of his son Horatio C, has been successfully engaged in the manu-
facture of motor boats. Into these they put nothing but the best material
and to every detail they give the closest attention, with the result that their
boats have given universal satisfaction. They find a quick sale for every
boat they turn out and are making quite a success of this business.
In 1866 Mr. Myers married Mary E. Smith, a daughter of John D.
Smith. She was born in Lafayette April 6, 1847. and received a good pub-
lic school education. They became the parents of two children, namely:
Horatio C, who was born September 10, 1868, married Alice Newman,
and thev have had two children, Grace and John, the latter being now de-
ceased. Horatio lives with his father and assists him in the building of
motor b<iats, in which he is an expert. He is a bright young man and is
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 997
at present serving as trustee of Wabash township. He has been active in
the Republican party and has served as precinct committeeman continuously
since he was twenty-one years old. Fraternally he is a member of the Fra-
ternal Order of Eagles and the Improved Order of Red Men at Lafayette.
The subject's other child, Leonard, was born March 17, 1878, and was a
young man of promise. He enlisted for service during the Spanish-Ameri-
can war, being a member of Company H, Second Regiment United States
Infantry, but died at Camp Wycoff. He was a good soldier and took part
in the battle of Santiago and in the celebrated charge at San Juan Hill.
In politics Amos Myers in a stanch Republican, while his religious
belief is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a member
and to which he gives a generous support. He is a member of the L'nion
Veteran Legion at Lafayette. He is a man of splendid character and en-
joys the confidence and esteem of all who know him.
DAVID CARTMILL.
No citizen in the vicinity of Stockwell, Indiana, is better or more fav-
orably known than David Cartmill, who has led not onh^ an honorable but
a successful life, having always been a man of great energy and courage, no
matter what obstacles came in his way. He was born in Lauramie town-
ship, Tippecanoe county, August 15, 1848, the son of James and Mary A.
(Johnson) Cartmill, natives of Coshocton county, Ohio, where they were
married. James Cartmill was born January 10, 1809, and his death oc-
curred December 11, 1872. His wife was born January 14, 1812, and she
died August 28, 1877. They were both| members of prominent old fam-
ilies. They themselves were pioneers, having come to Lauramie township,
this county, from Ohio, locating on Lauramie creek. They first rented
land, but later bought a farm of eighty-five acres, about four miles south-
west of Stockwell. Their children were John, Elizabeth, who married John
W. Cosby, all three deceased; Eliza Jane married Thomas Cosby, who was
a member of Company I, Eighty-sixth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry,
and they are both deceased ; William, who was a member of same company,
died at Nashville, Tennessee, during the war; Jacob, also a member of the
above mentioned company, died during the service at Murphreesboro ; Sarah,
who married Frank Crosby, lives in Lauramie Township ; David, of this re-
998 PAST AND PRESENT
view; James lives in Lauramie township; Ellen married John Ross and
lives in Michigan ; Martha died young.
David Cartmill is a self-made man, having worked hard from his
bovhood up. His father died when he was sixty-eight years old and Mrs.
Cartmill died a year before her husband. The death of James Cartmill oc-
curred in December, 1878, and he is buried in the Conroe cemetery. He
was a member of the Christian church, and a Republican in politics. He
was a good man and' was successful, having followed farming all his life.
David Cartmill was educated in the common schools of Lauramie town-
ship. He and his brother were compelled to work at whatever they could
get to do when young, but this developed in them the ability to go it alone
and caused them to succeed in later life.
David Cartmill was married November 30, 1871, to Emma E. Bar-
tholomew, daughter of Thomas and Hannah (Baker) Bartholomew. The
former was a native of England, and when he was crossing the ocean the
ship encountered a terrible storm and the passengers were compelled to
assist the sailors in saving the ship. He landed in New York with only
fiftv cents. He worked his way through to Ripley county, Indiana, and
later came to Lauramie township, Tippecanoe county. He purchased land,
having prospered after a few years' hard work. Mr. Bartholomew later
sold this to his brother, having eventually become the owner of over three
hundred acres. He was born in 1816, and his wife was born in Cincinnati,
Ohio, in 1827. Their children were Oscar, who died when young; Edgar
M. resides in: Colorado; Owen died young; Emma E., wife of David Cart-
mill, of this review : Ocy died young ; Eliza is also deceased ; James N. is a
physician living in Chicago; Ida Florence married James Cartmill, of this
township; Henrv Newton is married and living at Thorntown, Indiana;
Amos is deceased ; William A. is also deceased. ]\Ir. and Mrs. Thomas Bar-
tholomew were members of the Christian church, the former having been
an elder in the same. He was a Republican. His death occurred June 26,
1898, and that of his wife September 18, 1909, and their remains are buried
at Clarks Hill. To Mr. and Mrs. David Cartmill the following children
were born : Myrtle Alma, who married Thomas E. Conrad, resides in Laura-
mie township ; Paul and Merl are the children of Thomas E. Conrad ; Quincy
is deceased ; Thomas T. married Ida Blanche McDole and they have one
child, Elizabeth Eleanor.
Mr. Cartmill is a Republican in his political affiliations. He is a mem-
tjer of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has been a steward and
has alwavs taken a great interest. He has been a successful man, having
TIPPECANOfi COUNTY, IND. 999
worked hard and managed well, and he is now comfortably fixed in reference
to this world's affairs. He has reared an excellent family, all the members
of which are doing well. No small part of his success in life has been due
to his faithful wife. This family bears an excellent reputation and is in-
fluential in the neighborhood.
CHARLES MARSTELLER CRIST.
The subject of this review has' been practically all his entire life in
Tippecanoe county and lias e\er commanded unequivocal confidence and
esteem. The name which he bears has been prominently identified with the
annals of the county since the early days when the work of reclaiming the
sylvan wilds of this section of the state was inaugurated, and here he is now
known as one of the sterling pioneer citizens and successful fanners of the
county. He rendered valiant service to the Union cause during the war of
the Rebellion, enduring the privations and sufferings of those trying days,
and during his entire life has manifested the same loyalty of spirit that led
him to follow the old flag on many a battlefield. Thus it may be seen that
he is peculiarly worthy of representation in a work of this character, his
character, services and long residence in the county making him thus eligible.
Charles INIarsteller Crist was born on the 28th day of December, 1835,
in this county, and he is the son of Benjamin and) Loretta (Marsteller)
Crist. Benjamin Crist was born where now stands the city of Lawrence-
burg, Indiana, on October 15, 1806, and his death occurred September 16,
1877. His wife Loretta was born August 11, 1814, in Preble county, Ohio,
and died on January 2, 1878. Benjamin Crist came to Tippecanoe county in
1828 and located at what is now known as West Lafayette, though at that
time it was devoid of any kind of a habitation. Indeed, Lafayette itself bore
then little promise of that growth which afterwards characterized it. Mr.
Crist assisted in making the original survey of Tippecanoe county, the sur-
veyor being a IMr. Timmons. He also helped build the first brick house in
Lafayette. The country round about was practically a wilderness, broken
here and there by small' stretches of prairie land. ]\Ir. Crist entered eighty
acres of land through the Crawfordsville land office, the location being de-
scribed as in the northwest quarter of section i. township 23 north, range
5 west. The original patent for this land is now in the possession of the
subject of this sketch. He also possesses a patent which was issued to his
grandfather, George Crist, in 1806, and which bears the signature of Presi-
lOOO PAST AND PRESENT
dent Thomas Jefferson. Benjamin Crist spent the remainder of his years on
this eighty-acre tract and always followed farming as a vocation. Im-
mediately after entering upon the land he built a log cabin and the following
year, in 1832, was married. He was a soldier in the noted Black Hawk war,
following in the footsteps of his father, who had been a soldier in the war
of 1812. He was a very successful man in his business affairs and at one
time was the owner of one thousand acres of land. He took a keen interest
in public matters and was widely known. He served several years as a trus-
tee of the Northwestern Christian University, now known as Butler College.
In his early days he was a pronounced Democrat in his political views, but
in 1856, true to his honest convictions, he espoused the Republican party and
thereafter gave his support to it. He was a strong Union man during the
war days and did what he could to strengthen that cause. He served ef-
ficiently as road super\asor for a number of terms, but was in no sense an
ofifice seeker. He was a member of the Christian church at Lafayette, hav-
ing been immersed in 1840, and he always gave the church an active and
generous support. In his farm work he was energetic and progressive and
was generally considered one of the leading farmers of his locality. He gave
considerable attention to livestock, particularly cattle, hogs and sheep, and
was always in possession of several fine horses. The subject's present farm
was crossed by General Harrison and his army on their way to the Tippe-
canoe battle ground. Benjamin and Loretta Crist were the parents of eight
children, all of whom are deceased excepting the subject and Harriett Eliza,
who is the wife of W. B. Simms and lives at Portland, Oregon. Mrs.
Crist's family, the Marstellers, were also early settlers in Tippecanoe coun-
ty, her parents, Charles Marsteller and wife, being highly respected people.
Charles M. Crist received his education in the subscription schools prin-
cipally, attending also the free schools to some extent. He also attended one
term at the Northwestern Christian University (Butler College) and alto-
gether was considered a well educated man for that day. He has been a
close reader and a keen observer of men and events, and today few men
are better informed on matters generally than is he. He is considered a
splendid mathematician, in the study of which science he took a special in-
terest. He remained on the home farm with his father until 1858, when
he moved to his present location in Wabash township. At that time he had
only about ten acres of land cleared and his home was a log* house. Here
he went manfully to work to make a home and he succeeded in this laudable
endeavor to a satisfactory degree. He took up general farming, to which
he has always applied himself and his place has for years been considered one
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. lOOI
of the best farms in the township. He now has a fine home, suppHed with
all the conveniences of an up-to-date farm home. A man of many fine per-
sonal qualities, he has won and retains the warm friendship and regard of
all who know him.
Mr. Crist has three times been married. He was first married in 1857
to Amanda C. Thomas, who was born in Tippecanoe township, this county,
August II, 1839, the daughter of William Thomas and wife, early settlers
in this locality. To Mr. and Mrs. Crist were born two children, Oliver
William, of Lafayette, who married Margaret Carroll, by whom he has three
children; and Jennie, deceased. The subject's second wife bore the maiden
name of Elizabeth Fout, who bore him two children, Mamie M., who mar-
ried Everett Bryant, of Lafayette, and has one child, and Clara L., the
wife of George McKinnis, of West Lafayette. Mr. Crist's third marriage
was to Hannah Kurlin, the nuptials being celebrated on November i, 1883.
Mrs. Crist was a native of New Jersey, where she was born April 19, 1840.
They have become the parents of one child, Carl K., who is single and re-
mains at home, having taken upon himself the majoi^ part of the burden of
the farm work and management. He is a splendid young man and enjoys
the esteem of all who know him.
Mr. Crist is a Republican in politics, having cast his first vote for
Abraham Lincoln for President, a fact of which he is proud. He has served
as supervisor of his township several terms and has also served in several
appointive offices, in all of which he acquitted himself with credit. He has
always been active in local politics, but has never been characterized as an
office-seeker. His religious membership is with the Christian church at La-
fayette, of which he is now the oldest living member and of which society
his father was a charter member. The church was organized in 1844 by
Elder John Longly, the first meetings being held in an old school house.
Mr. Crist is a member of Marsh B. Taylor Post, No. 475, Grand Armv
of the Republic, at Lafayette, this membership standing in evidence per se
that the subject was numbered among the defenders of Old Glory during
the dark and troublous days of the sixties. Mr. Crist enlisted in 1864 in
the Sixteenth Indiana Light Artillery, at Lafayette, under Captain Parks,
and served until July 5, 1865. He took part in the battles of Antietam and
Bull Run and for a long time was stationed on guard duty along the Po-
tomac. He subsequently took part in the Grand Review at Washington. He
was stationed at Georgetown when President Lincoln was assassinated and
a comrade of his was a witness to this terrible tragedy. For a week after
the assassination, Mr. Crist was kept under arms in Washington and was
a member of the squad which fired the salute at the funeral.
PAST AND PRESENT
RICHARD B. WETHERILL, M. D.
Richard B. Wetherill was born in Lafayette January lo. 1859. the son
of Dr. Charles M. Wetherill and Alary C. Benbridge. The father was from
an old Quaker family of Philadelphia. He was graduated from the Uni-
versity of Pennsylvania, the College of France and the University of Gies-
sen, Germany. He was a chemist of national reputation for original re-
search in the new field of organic chemistry, and he made the first quantitative
analysis of the water of artesian wells at Lafayette. He was a charter mem-
ber of Indiana State Medical Society. He was the first chemist in the ag-
ricultural department in Washington, being appointed by President Lincoln.
He was also professor of chemistry in Lehigh University at Bethlehem,
Pennsylvania. He was married to Mary C. Benbridge, a daughter of Thomas
Truxtun Benbridge, one of the early pioneers of Lafayette and prominently
connected with the early history of the city.
Richard B. Wetherill received his elementary education in the public
schools of Lafayette, later taking a special scientific course in Lehigh Uni-
versity, 1 876- 1 880. He matriculated in Jefiferson Medical College, where he
graduated in 1883, and took special studies under Virchow, Von Bergman
and Bardelelen in Berlin, Germany. He located in Lafayette in the spring
of 1886 to practice his profession. His professional work is in the direction
of general medicine and surgery, in which he has been eminently successful.
He possesses considerable personal means, being one of the largest land owners
in the county. He is also identified with the business interests of the city, being
a director of the Eirst National Bank. He is a member of local social organi-
zations and a member of the national, state and county medical societies, and
is on the surgical stafifs of St. Elizabeth's and Home Hospitals.
LAWREXCE JAMES McCLURE.
It is a notable fact that Indiana's sons always have a deep attachment
for their native state, and indeed Indiana's history has been a wonderful
one in many respects. Her sons have become prominent in everv walk in
life, and several of them have been the nation's leaders, one occupving the
chair of chief executive of this great republic. One man alone, or even a
few men, do not constitute the strength of the commonwealth. It is the ag-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. IOO3
gregate endeavor of loyal citizenship of the vast majority, and in this re-
spect Indiana has been fortunate, for her representatives have been resolute,
enterprising men, who have striven with natural conditions until they have
made the country bloom and blossom as the rose, and have carried on the
work of improvement and progress until Indiana occupies a leading posi-
tion in the great galaxy of the Union. Mr. McClure, of this review, is num-
bered among the wide-awake, alert men of Tippecanoe county, and today is
successfully carrying on agricultural pursuits in section 12, Wabash town-
ship.
Lawrence J. McClure was born in the township in which he now re-
sides, Wabash, on the i8th day of September, 1856, and has never lived
outside the township. He is a son of James L. and Emma J. (Rosser) Mc-
Clure, early residents of this county. James L. McClure was born at Chilli-
cothe, Ohio, in. 1820, and came to Tippecanoe county in 1837, when se\en-
teen years of age. He located at Lafayette and for a while was employed
at the carpenter trade. Subsequently he went into the confectionery busi-
ness and was the first person to make ice cream here and also the first to
put up ice in winter for the summer use. His place of business was where
the Coleman Bank is now situated. Mr. McClure eventually sold the con-
fectionery business to Bemis Brothers and purchased from Godlove Orth a
farm in section 12, Wabash township, the land being that now occupied by
the subject of this sketch. \\'ith the exceptiun of about six vears, Mr. Mc-
Clure remained thereafter on this place until his death, which occurred in
1904. He was a good business man and a successful farmer, and stood high
in general esteem. Mr. McClure was a Republican in his political procliv-
ities, though he did not take an active part in public affairs. In his religious
views he was a Presbyterian, while his wife was an equally devoted mem-
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was a member of Lodge No. 55.
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, one of the first lodges of this order to
be established in Tippecanoe county. The subject's mother, who bore the
nriiden name of Emma J. Rosser, was born at London, Ohio. Her father
died when she was a very young girl and the mother brought her family,
consisting of three girls and two boys, to Tippecanoe county in an early
day, the trip being made in ox wagons. To James and Emma McClure were
born the following children : John Rosser lives at Fort Wayne, Indiana ;
Alice Kirkpatrick lives in West Lafayette: Lawrence J., the subject of this
sketch, was the next in order of birth ; the others. Lizzie J., Augusta, Eddie,
William and an unnamed babv, are deceased.
1004 PAST AND PRESENT
The subject of this sketch received his early education in the Castor
school, in Wabash township, where he made splendid progress in his stud-
ies, so that at the end of the common school course he was enabled to enter
Purdue College, being one of the first twenty-five students who were en-
rolled at that college. He remained a student in that institution three years,
and then, returning to the farm, took up agricultural work, to which he has
ever since applied his energies. He follows a general line of farming, which
he has found more profitable than specializing, and he has also given much
attention to the breeding and raising of livestock. He raises large num-
bers of cattle, hogs and sheep and formerly gave some attention to horses,
but has of late years not paid much attention to the latter.
On November 15, 1893, ^^^- McClure was wedded to Eliza Parker, the
daughter of Francis Parker, who at one time owned the ground on which
now stands the plant of the Taylor Lumber Company at Lafayette. To
this union were born two children, Emma J., now fourteen years old, and
Frank James, twelve years old. Mrs. McClure died in 1897, and subse-
quently Mr. McClure married Bella Adams. Mr. and Mrs. McClure have
a comfortable home, which is the center of a large social circle. They are
well liked by their associates and enjoy the esteem of all who know them.
In politics, Mr. McClure is a Republican, and Mrs. McClure is a devoted
member of the Presbyterian church. Fraternally, Mr. ]\IcClure is a member
of the Ancient Order of Druids.
ARTHUR BESSEY SMITH.
The subject of this sketch, who is the assistant professor of telephone
engineering at Purdue University, was born at Altoona, Iowa, near the
city of Des Moines, on the loth day of August, 1875. His father. Rev.
Cyrus Smith, for many years a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church,
was of German extraction and sprang from a family that came to America
in colonial times, and furnished several soldiers to the cause of independence
during the Revolutionary struggle. Not a few of his antecedents were
mechanics of a high grade, notably locksmiths, toolmakers, and other pur-
suits requiring much more than ordinary efficiency and skill. The Smith
family settled in Ohio many years ago, and it was in that state that the Pro-
fessor's father was born and reared. At the breaking out of the late Civil
war, Cyrus Smith joined Company K, Sixteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. IOO5
Infantry, and for three years rendered valiant service for the Union, his
regiment serving under Grant in the siege of Vicksburg and taking part in
many other important campaigns and battles. After the war, he entered a
tract of land in Michigan, where in due time he cleared and developed a
good farm, which he subsequently sold and moved to Iowa. He began his
ministerial labors in the latter state as an exhorter, but exhibiting rare pow-
ers As a speaker he was afterwards assigned regular work by the Des Moines
conference and continued the pastoral relation until his death, at the age of
fifty-six years. Amanda Bessey, wife of Rev. Cyrus Smith and mother of
the subject, was descended from German-French ancestry and was also a
native of Ohio. She was married while the Civil war was in progress and
bore her husband three children, i. e., Elva Pearl, wife of C. H. Brake, of
Warnerville, Nebraska; Minnie Susan, wife of H. A. Kinney, principal of
the Normal School of Woodbine, Iowa, also manager of the telephone ex-
change of that town and a director of the Woodbine Savings Bank.
Arthur Bessey Smith received his preliminary education in the schools
of Dow City, which he began attending when seven years of age. Later
he was graduated from the Woodbine Normal School, in which he took the
English course and during the four terms ensuing taught in the district
schools, keeping up his studies in electricity in the meantime. He early
manifested a decided taste for mechanical pursuits and while still a mere lad
operated engines in a printing office and a laundry; and when but little older
took charge of the engine in the pump house at Carroll City, Iowa. His pred-
ilection for engines and other machinery, in fact for all kinds of mechanics,
was almost akin to mania, and when not engaged in his regular work he
devoted his attention to his favorite pastime, constructing a number of me-
chanical devices, besides making repairs for the neighbors. In due time he
became deeply interested in electricity and for some months carried on his
studies and investigations without the aid of an instructor. While teaching
school he utilized his knowledge and skill in such practical ways as repair-
ing telephones and installing same, putting in door bells, electric lights, and
various other work of a like character, his success in which, with his en-
thusiasm for the pursuit, finally induced him to become an electric engineer.
With this object in view he entered the University of Nebraska, at Lincoln,
where he addressed himself so resolutely to his favorite study that it was
not long until he led his class and took very high rank as an untiring student
and painstaking investigator.
When Professor Smith entered the above institution the sum total of
his capital amounted to only twenty dollars, but his uncle. Dr. Charles E.
1006 PAST AND PRESENT
Bessey, the dean of the school of engineering and professor of botany, let
him have a room for keeping the latter's lawn and premises in order, and
he met his other expenses by waiting tables in a public dining room. By
reason of his lack of funds he was five years completing his university
course, during a part of which time he was assistant in the weather bureau,
having previously learned typesetting, which he now utilized in publishing
the reports of the department, in addition to which he took observations and
made many of the maps that were issued. While prosecuting his studies and
researches the future professor did considerable electrical work in the lab-
oratory of the university, and also made free use of the public library, where
he found such periodicals as the "Scientific American," "The Stationary
Engineer," "The Brotherhood Journal," and various other magazines bear-
ing upon his work, all of which he read with absorbing interest and profit
and to which he attributes much of his subsequent success in his chosen
calling.
Professor Smith was graduated from the Uni\ersitv of Nebraska in
June, 1 90 1, and immediately thereafter accepted a position with the Mis-
souri Willey Telephone Company, which he held for ten months, then entered
the employ of the Nebraska (Bell) Telephone Company, at Omaha, of which
he was later made district inspector, and in August of the following year
became manager of the company with headquarters at Tecumseh. Resign-
ing his position in January, 1903, he became assistant manager of the Wood-
bine Telephone Company, at Woodbine, Iowa; later was made electrical
engineer of the company, and after remaining at that place until 1905 sev-
ered his connection with the enterprise and accepted the position of wire
chief with the Automatic Telephone Company at Amsterdam, New York.
Professor Smith's long period of service and valuable practical experi-
ence in telephony led to his appointment, on September 15, 1905. to the
position in Purdue University which he now holds, and in wiiich he has
achieved a reputation second to that of no other electrician in the United
States similarly engaged. Since entering upon his duties in the university
he has developed the laboratory in many important respects, besides doing
much practical work, which with his teaching has made him one of the busi-
est men connected with the institution. In 1907 the university conferred
upon him the degree of Electrical Engineer, since which time he has been al-
lowed one assistant, the work which he has built up from the ground being
quite heavy and onerous, and requiring nearly all of the time at his com-
mand.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. IOO7
In the fall of 1907, Professor Smith began pubhshing a series of articles
on the "History of the Automatic Telephone," which bear evidence of pro-
found study and research, and which have been widely read and quoted. He
has contributed to various scientific magazines, among which were "Sound
Waves," since merged with "The American Telephone Journal." "The Tele-
phone Siftings," and other periodicals, being an easy and graceful writer and
a recognized authority on all matters pertaining to his profession. Profes-
sor Smith is an associate member of the American Institute ni Electrical
Engineers, and is also identified with the Sigma Xi fraternity, and the In-
dependent Order of Odd Eellows.
On June 18. 1901, the subject was united in marriage with Cora Eliza-
beth Hill, at Lincoln, Nebraska, their union being blessed with two children,
Howard Hill, born April 24, 1902, and Jeanette H., whose birth occurred
on April 30, 1908. Professor Smith and family occupy a beautiful anil
pleasant home at No. 439 University avenue, West Lafayette, and are com-
fortably situated and highly esteemed by their large number of friends in
the city and elsewhere. They are consistent members of the Methodist Epis-
copal church, active in the discharge of their religious duties and demon-
strate the beauty and worth of a live Christian faith in their daily walk and
conversation.
JACOB M. TAYLOR.
Tippecanoe county was decidedly wild and sparsely settled when the
first of the Taylor family appeared upon the scene. As yet, practically
nothing of the wonderful development which eventually made Indiana so
great a state had been brought about. It was the roughest of the pioneer
period, no good roads, no schools of any consequence, nearly everything for-
est and swamp. Such were the conditions when William and Sarah Ann
(Bonnett) Taylor, poor, friendless and unknown, came into the county.
They were both Virginians, the former born December 12, 1796. of Irish
stock, and the latter in June, 1797, of German descent. In youth they
migrated to Ohio, married in Pike county, February 3, 1820, and in 1824
removed to northwestern Indiana in the wake of the extensive emigration
then prevailing. In 1826 William Taylor entered one hundred and sixty
acres of land in section 34. Wayne township, which was part prairie and
part timljer. He built a log cabin and entered upon the arduous task of whip-
ping his wild land into shape. Although in limited circumstances on arrival
he worked hard, exercised economy and in time found himself the owner
ICX)8 PAST AND PRESENT
of a handsome property, besides six hundred acres in Illinois. He died
October 30, 1857, and his wife in 1871. Of his eleven children the only
survivors are Jacob, Jr., and Henry H., who lives in Texas.
Jacob M. Taylor, youngest of the surviving sons, was born in Wayne
township, Tippecanoe county, Indiana, September 12, 1839. He remained
at home until of age, and in the fall of 1861 enlisted in Company G, Fortieth
Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until January,
1865. His command was attached to the Army of the Cumberland and
participated in the battles of Shiloh, Stone River, Mission Ridge and many
other historic engagements of the Civil war. After leaving the army with
a first-class record as a soldier, Mr. Taylor returned home and entered upon
the life of a farmer, which has continued unto the present time. He has
been successful and now owns three hundred and seventy-eight acres of
valuable farming land, which is kept in good state of cultivation. He is one
of the prominent farmers of the county and stands high as a citizen, neigh-
bor and business man. He was made a Mason in 1870, and is a member of
Shawnee Lodge, No. 129, Free and Accepted Masons, at O'Dell's Corners,
of which he is a past worshipful master.
In early manhood Mr. Taylor married Matilda, daughter of John and
Matilda (Emerson) Kennedy, by whom he has four children. Charles S.,
who married Margaret Olive Glunt, resides in Wayne township .md has two
children, George Willard and Charles Lawrence ; Alonzo married Jennie May
Duncan, resides in Jackson township and has five children, Lloyd Leslie,
Clarence Otis, Hazel Lydia, Nellie May and Gladys. Almeda Lula Bell
is Mr. Taylor's third child and Almedia O. is the youngest. Mrs. Taylor
and her daughters are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
DENNY BOYD SIMISON.
The gentleman whose name introduces this biographical record was
widely known to the people of the section of which this book treats, for
during a long and influential career his name had become familiar with all
classes as standing for upright citizenship and general progress. He was the
son of John and Harriet Eliza (Agnew) Simison, the former a native of
Portage county, Ohio, and the latter of the state of Pennsylvania. They
both came to Indiana when quite young and were married in Parke county
in 1 85 1 and came to Tippecanoe county, settling in the town of Romney.
The father having been previously educated for a doctor, he at once began
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. IOO9
the practice of medicine in Romney, which he continued until his death, hav-
ing been known as one of the leading physicians of his day in that locality.
The date of his death was August 17, 1902, being at the time of his death
nearly seventy-eight years old, having been born in 1824. He is buried at
Romney. His wife was born September 30, 1832, and still survives him at
the age of seventy-seven years, making her home in Romney. She is a
woman of fine Christian attributes and it is interesting to hear her tell of
the early days of the career of Doctor Simison when he made the rounds
of his practice principally on horseback for many years, enduring many of
the great hardships of pioneer times. This worthy couple were the parents
of six children, four sons and two daughters, Denny Boyd, of this review,
being the second in order of birth. All these children are still living in 1909
excepting the subject of this sketch, whose sudden and accidental death oc-
curred October 15, 1909.
Denny Boyd Simison was born in Randolph township, at the town of
Romney, Tippecanoe county, March 17, 1854. He passed all the grades in
the Romney city schools, later graduating from Ford's high school. He
was also a freshman in DePauw University, after which he returned home
and took up farming, having received a fine education and winning a reputa-
tion for excellent scholarship. He worked for his father on the home place,
continuing agricultural pursuits in a successful manner until he was thirty-
five years old.
The domestic life of Mr. Simison dates from March 9, 1893, when,
in the city of Lafayette, he was united in marriage with Anna Perkins, who
was born near Wingate, Montgomery county, Indiana, April 15, 1857, the
daughter of Frank Luster and Emma (Webb) Perkins. Both parents were
natives of Ohio, but migrated to Indiana where they were married and
became the parents of three children, two girls and one boy, Anna being
the oldest in order of birth ; the other two were James William and Mary
Jane; the son is deceased. The father of these children was one of the
patriotic men of the North who offered up his life like many another hero
in the dark days of the sixties in defense of the national union, having en-
listed in Company A, Sixty-third Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry,
and died while in the service, November 13, 1863. at Leavenworth, Ken-
tucky, having contracted the measles with other complications. He was
buried at the above named town, but shortly afterwards his remains were
taken up, brought home and interred in the Romney cemetery. He was a
devout Christian and a member of the Methodist faith nearly all his life.
His widow still survives, having some time afterward married John Brunton,
(64)
lOIO PAST AXD PRESENT
and she now resides in Lafayette. She became the mother of two children
bv her second marriage, Ida M. and Bertha E. Brunton. Three children, two
boys and one girl, have blessed the home of ^Ir. and ]\Irs. Denny Boyd Simi-
son, namely : John P.. Frank L. and Mary B.. all yet members of the fam-
ily circle.
The subject and wife continued to reside upon their fine farm of about
five hundred acres in Randolph township, which, under the careful manage-
ment of Mr. Simison. became one of the model farms of the cnunty,
being well improved in every respect, and on which general farming is en-
gaged in with very gratifying results. Livestock of various kinds is to be
found on the place. Mr. Simison having been regarded by his neighbors as an
excellent judge of stock and no small part of his annual income was derived'
from this source. On the place is a commodious and nicely furnished dwell-
ing, and which is surrounded by outbuildings adequate to the various needs.
He was also the owner of additional land, amounting to four
hundred and twenty acres, a part of which is in Montgomery county. ]\Ir.
Simison was a very successful man in his business life, always attending
strictly to his own alTairs and managing whatever he had in hand with that
discretion and soundness of judgment that stamped him as a man of unusual
business acmnen and foresight. Although a loyal Reptiblican, he never
held nor aspired to positions of public trust, and was a strong advocate of
the temperance movement which is at this writing sweeping over the state
of Lidiana like an incoming tide. John F. Simison, brother of the subject,
has long been an acti\e worker in the Republican party and he is at present
representative to the legislature from Montgomery county. He assisted in
the special session called by Governor Hanly to pass the county local option
bill, Mr. Simison standing firm in its favor.
Denny Boyd Simison was a member of Romney Lodge. No. 441. Free
and Accepted Masons, and he believed in carrying out the sublime precepts
of the same in his daily life before his fellowmen. His widow, a woman of
culture and refinement, is a member of the ^Methodist church at Romney.
of which Mr. Simison was a regular attendant and a liberal supporter.
THOMAS SEY^IOUR MOTTER. M. D.
Dr. Thomas S. Motter. well-known physician of Dayton, this county,
was born three miles southwest of Lafayette. Indiana, on a farm which
stretched along the banks of Wea creek. Eeljruary 5. 1837. the son of Jacob
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. Id I
and Deborah A. (Shultz) ]\Iotter, both of German descent. Andrew blot-
ter, father of Jacob, came to America, accompanied by his wife and seven
children about 1796, and settled in Fairfax coimty, Virginia, where he be-
came a man of wealth and distinction, being noted for his old-fashioned
hospitality. He owned a large tract of valuable land, and always had a fine
stable of the best horses and a large pack of hounds, being a great hunter
and a lover of sport, especially outdoor recreations. After a few years he
left \'irginia, locating near Hagerstown, Maryland, and later moved to Chil-
licothe. Ohio, finally migrating to Indiana, spending his last days with his
children in Carroll county, where he died at about the age of eighty-four
years. He was a sterling pioneer, bra\'e, industrious and loyal to the in-
stitutions of his adopted country, and when he heeded the summons calling
him from his earthly labors a sincere regret was expressed by a wide circle
of acquaintances and friends who recognized in him a gentleman of the
highest address. His good wife Elizabeth was born in Germany, June 17,
1772, and she passed to her rest about 1855 at the home of her son, David
Motter, in Wisconsin. She was the mother of ten children, seven only of
whom can be recalled. Their names are Jonathan, George, William, An-
drew; Jacob, the father of the subject; Samuel and David. Jacob Motter was
born in Virginia, March 9, 1805. He moved from place to place with his
parents until he reached Chillicothe, where he learned the trade of black-
smith. In 1825 he made a trip on horseback to Indiana. When he reached
a place about four miles north of Lafayette he saw a band of Indians stand-
ing on a mound by the river, and when he asked them about fording the
stream one of them waded out in the river and showed him the way. When
Mr. Motter gave him a silver coin, the red man seemed to be greatlv pleased.
Mr. Motter came on to Lafayette and located on Third street, erecting a
shop opposite the Bramble House, and here he followed his trade of black-
sraithing until 1835, becoming known throughout this locality as a very
skilled workman. In the year just referred to he traded his city property
for a one-fourth section of land on Wea creek. He cleared the land and
engaged in farming, at the same time maintaining a blacksmith shop on his
place. In 1849 he moved to \\'hite county, Indiana, and purchased two
hundred and eighty acres of land which was unimproved. It was located near
Monticello and it became a very valuable piece of property under Mr. Mot-
ter's skillful management. In February, 1864, he went to Bloomington, Il-
linois, and engaged in the bakery and confectionery business. He also pur-
chased a farm adjacent to the city and during the latter part of that year he
moved to this farm, where, on May 2, 1856. he passed away after a life of
IOI2 PAST AND PRESENT
honor and inclustrv. He was a devoted meml^er of the Methodist Episcopal
church, and an old-line Whig. He enjoyed the friendship of all who knew
him.
Deborah Shultz, who married Jacob Motter in the year 1836, was born
September 29, 181 5, the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Dunbar) Shultz,
natives of Germany and Kentucky respectively. Mr. Shultz came to Amer-
ica when fourteen years of age, and, adopting our institutions as freely as
if they had been fostered by his Fatherland, he gallantly served in the war
of 1812. He resided near Connersville, Indiana, as early as 1823, for it
is known that a ISIethodist campmeeting was held on his farm that year.
During the lalter part of his life he owned and operated a gristmill in the
northern part of Carroll county, Indiana, and it was there that he died
when about sixty years old, honored by all, especially by the members of the
Methodist Episcopal church, in the deliberations of which he took a de-
lieht. He was the father of nine children, as follows: Caroline, Isabella,
Sarah, Elizabeth, Angeline, James, Francis A., John B. and Deborah, mother
of the subject.
The 'familv of Jacob and Deborah IMotter consisted of the following
children: Thomas S., of this review; Margaret, who married J. H. Wolcott,
is deceased, but the latter is living in Bloomington, Illinois ; George is living
at Baldwin, Kansas; Francis A. was accidentally killed by the discharge of
a gun when fourteen years old. The above named children were all born
on the old home farm on Wea creek. John A., the fifth child, is a minister
of the Methodist Episcopal church at Kansas City, Kansas ; Carrie Dell, who
married H. F. \\'ade, resides in Cass county, Indiana. She was born at
Bloomington. Illinois. April 17. 1854. These children all received every ad-
vantage possible at the hands of their parents and the wholesome home at-
mosphere in which they were reared is clearly reflected in their social nature
and everyday lives.
Thomas S. Motter, the subject of this review, had the advantage of a
good education in his youth, owing to the fact that his father was a stanch
advocate of educational training and gave his children every chance pos-
sible. He completed his literary course at Wesleyan University, Blooming-
ton, Illinois, where he was a student for two years, after which he studied
medicine under his uncle. Dr. F. A. Shultz. thus gratifying a desire of long
standing, and during the winter of 1858 and 1859 he attended the lectures
in the Eclectic Medical Institute, at Cincinnati. Ohio, and in 1859 he began
practice at Logansport. Indiana, bringing to his work a well-trained mind
and the other necessarv characteristics of the successful physician; conse-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. IOI3
quently he was soon enjoying a liberal patronage which has constantly in-
creased since that time until his name has long since become a household
word throughout this locality, which has long been noted for the high order
of its medical talent. In the fall of 1859, Doctor Hotter went to Selma,
Alabama, desiring a warmer climate. He opened an office and soon had a
good practice. Upon his arrival there he joined a militia company, and
when the war between the states began he was elected surgeon of the Fourth
Regiment, Alabama Volunteer Infantry (Confederate), having enlisted his
sympathies with the Southern cause, and he cared for the wounded in thir-
teen battles, many of them the most important of the war. At the first battle
of Bull Run he was slightly wounded while on duty, and he gave heroic
service at Williamsburg, at the seven days' fighting at Richmond, Gettys-
burg, Fredericksburg, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and was present at
more than fifty skirmishes. At the battle of Knoxville he was shot in the
right thigh and captured by Union soldiers, and taken to Fort Delaware,
situated on an island twenty-one miles south of Philadelphia in the Dela-
ware river, and he had charge of a ward in the hospital for twenty-one
months. On June 15, 1865, he was exchanged and, returning to Indiana
soon thereafter, he resumed the practice of medicine, and for two years
was located at Mulberry. Then he practiced in Lafayette until 1878, when
he returned to Mulberry and conducted a drug store for eight years. He
was also engaged in the same business at Crawfordsville, Indiana, while he
made his home on a farm near the city, in the meantime continuing his
profession.
In 1889 Doctor Hotter took up his residence at Dayton, Indiana, and.
finding such a lucrative practice here and so congenial a field, he has since
remained, having had a very large practice. He is frequently called to re-
mote parts of Tippecanoe county on important cases and in consultation with
other physicians whose skill has been baffled.
One of the most interesting chapters in the Doctor's life history is that
bearing on his domestic relations, dating from January 3, 1867, when, at
Clark's Hill, this county, he was united in marriage with Electa Bowles, a
native of that village, where her birth occurred on November 5, 1847, the
daughter of Robert Bowles, who was born October 30, 1818, at Maidstone,
Kent county, England, having emigrated from that country to America with
his parents when a young man. Upon arriving in this country he penetrated
to the interior and finally settled at Clark's Hill, Indiana, and there met and
married, in January, 1846, Gensey Buckley, daughter of James Buckley. She
was born August 12, 1827, and she became the mother of six children.
IOI4 PAST AND PRESENT
namely: Electa, wife of the subject of this review; Tiffany, who lives in
Oklahoma; Delia, who married J. M. McDole, lives at Stockwell, this state;
Richard lives at Clark's Hill, this county; John is living in Reno county,
Kansas; Edwin's home is near Clark's Hill, Indiana. The mother of the
children died April 7, 1864. and Mr. Bowles was married January 3. 1866,
to Virginia Lowe, to which union two children were born. lea, who died
at the age of twenty-one years, and Alary, who married Guy Drew, lives
in California. Mr. Bowles died February 5, 1889. Mrs. Bowles is also
deceased.
To Doctor Hotter and wife the following children were born : Robert
Lee, May 6, 1870, at Brookston, Indiana, married Eva Patton and they are
the parents of one child, Anna Dee, their home being in Montgomery coun-
ty, near Crawfordsville; George Edward was born June 25, 1872, at La-
fayette and died when three years old; Ada M., who is living at home, was
born August 5, 1878, at Mulberry, Indiana; she is a graduate of the Dayton
high school and also attended school at Crawfordsville, later attended the
State Normal School; she is now an efficient teacher in the Dayton schools.
Jay Seymour, the fourth child of the subject and wife, was born May 8,
1884, at Mulberry. Indiana. He is a graduate of the Dayton high school,
and he now has a position in the experimental department at Purdue Uni-
versity.
The Doctor is a broad-minded man both in his medical and political
views, being a pronounced Democrat. In his fraternal relations he became
a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Camden, Indiana,
having become a member of this organization April 8, 1858. He later
dimitted to the Lafayette Lodge, where he now holds membership, having
passed all the chairs of the same. He is a member of the Association of
Medical Officers of the Army and Navy of the Confederacy, having been
identified with this organization since 1901. He is also a member of the
Indiana State Eclectic Medical Association ; also the National Eclectic Med-
ical Association.
The Doctor has a pleasant and nicely furnished home in Dayton, which
is presided over with rare grace and dignity by Mrs. Motter, a woman of
many commendable attributes and gracious personality.
In closing this review of one of the leading professional men of Tippe-
canoe county and this locality, it is only necessary to state that he is a gentle-
man of progressive ideas and generous impulses, highly esteemed by his.
fellowmen. and filling a place in the public view which has brought him
prominently to the front, not only in professional circles but in the domain
TIPPECAXOE COUNTY, IND. IOI5
of citizenship as well. Of fine personal presence and commanding influence
he moves among his fellows as one born to do things extraordinary in this
world, nevertheless he is kind and affable, easily approached, and all who
enjoy the favor of his acquaintance and friendship speak in the highest terms
of his many sterling qualities of mind and heart.
JEPTHA CROUCH.
The names of those men who have distinguished themselves through the
possession of those qualities which daily contribute to the success of private
life and to the public stability and who have enjoyed the confidence and re-
spect of those about them, should not be permitted to perish. Such a one is
Jeptha Crouch, whose name needs no introduction to the readers of this
book, and whose reputation is international, having long been America's
leading importer of blooded horses. He was born in Owen county, Ken-
tucky, in 1843, the son of William and Polly Crouch, both representatives
of excellent old Southern families, the father being an extensive distiller and
manufacturer oi ttbacco, and a man of influence in his locality.
When Jeptha Crouch was twelve years of age. the family moved to
Decatur county, Indiana, where they resided for a period of six years, then
moved to Indianapolis, in which city they remained four or five years. About
1863 they moved to ]\Ionticello, White county.
In the meantime Jeptha had grown to manhood and had received a
ver)- serviceable education in different schools, and while a resident of Mon-
ticello he married Sarah Hughes, a woman of refinement and affnbility and a
member of one of the leading families of White county. This union re-
sultefl in the birth nf three children, namely: Xannie. George R. and Wil-
liam J., all of whiiUi ha\x been gi\en e\ery possible chance in the way of
education and business and social training.
After his marriage Mr. Crouch began raising and dealing in horses and
cattle. He also conducted a general store fur some time at Monticello and
he soon built up a good trade with the surr( lunding country, but finding the
stock business more profitable and more in keeping with his tastes, he in
time abandoned merchandising and devoted his attention exclusively to live-
stock, and year by year he became a more expert judge of horses and how to
manage the business profitably. Desiring a larger field in which to carry on
his operations in this line, he disposed of his store and other interests at
IOl6 PAST AND PRESENT
Monticello in 1882 and moved to Lafayette, entering the livery business on
Main street near Sixth, where he bought and sold horses. Owing to his
judicious management his business steadily grew until it reached large pro-
portions. Conceiving an idea of establishing a stock farm to which he
desired to direct his attention solely, in about 1886 he sold out his livery
business and established the Lafayette Stock Farm on a tract of ground
about one-fifteenth the size of that now occupied. Having bv this time
gained a very extensive knowledge of the commercial side of stock raising
and selling, Mr. Crouch was successful from the first in this venture and
it grew from year to year, until today it enjoys national prestige. For a
full history of this vast business, which extends into every state in the Union
and into Canada, the reader is directed to the chapter on agriculture and
industry in the historical section of this work where a more adequate con-
ception of the magnitude of this great stock farm may be obtained.
The business of the Lafayette Stock Farm is now conducted in the
name of J. Crouch & Son. the latter being George R. Crouch, who usuallv
makes periodical trips to Europe, where he purchases the horses to be im-
ported to this country; however, his father frequently attends to this phase
of the business, having made a trip abroad for this purpose in 1908. The
younger son, W. J. Crouch, also assists in the business. Both he and his
brother George R. are regarded as young business men of more than ordi-
nary ability, and their futures will doubtless be replete with success and
honor for duty well and conscientiously performed. \\\ J. Crouch married
a very estimable lady in the person of Miss Pearl Covington, and this
union has resulted in the birth of three children, namely : Elizabeth. Jeptha
and Herbert. Nannie, the daughter of Jeptha Crouch, of this review, mar-
ried Frank B. Seawright, whb is also interested in the Lafayette Stock Farm.
They are the parents of two children, Nancy and George R. Seawright.
The position which Mr. Crouch holds among leading horsemen of
America is indicated by his prominence in numerous associations and allied
mterests. He is a large stockholder in the Lafayette Sales Company, one of
the largest horse sales associations in America. He was president of the
Belgium Horse Association of America for a period of two years, that be-
ing the limit, according to its constitution, that any member is permitted
to hold the office of president. During his tenure of the same the interests
of the association were greatly augmented. Mr. Crouch is a director in the
Ohio and Indiana Live Stock Insurance Company. He is a director in the
Tippecanoe County Fair Association, in which he takes an abiding inter-
est and its continued success is due in no small measure to his influence. Mr.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. Id 7
Crouch is a director in the Merchants National Bank of Lafayette. For
the past fifteen years he has been secretary of the German Hanoverian and
Oldenburg Coach Horse Association of America. In all these extensive and
varied interests Mr. Crouch has shown himself to be a master of details,
possessing rare executive ability and business acumen of a high order. \Yith
duties that would crush the ordinary man, he has his labors so systematized
that he experiences little or no trouble in doing them. He is a vigorous as
well as an independent thinker, a wide reader, and he has the courage of his
convictions upon all subjects which he investigates. He is also strikingly
original and fearless, having a keen discernment, prosecuting his researches
after his own peculiar fashion, caring little for conventionalism or for the
sanctity attaching to person or place by reason of artificial distinction, tra-
dition or the accident of birth. He is essentially cosmopolitan in liis ideas, a
man of the people in all the term implies, and in the best sense of the word
a representative type of that strong American manhood which commands
and retains respect by reason of inherent merit, sound sense and correct con-
duct. In short, he is plain and unassuming, deeply enamored of his work.
but in the midst of his numerous and pressing duties, he finds time to de-
vote to other than his individual affairs, being interested in the community
and its advancement and in all worthy enterprises for the good of his fellow-
men. Fraternally he is a Mason and a member of the Knights of Pythias.
The Crouch residence, one of the most attractive from an architectural
viewpoint and most beautifully located in this part of the state, is frequently
the mecca for the best society of Lafayette, and all who visit there find free
hospitality and good cheer ever prevailing, the friends of this family being
limited only by the limits of their acquaintance. Measured by the accepted
standard of excellence, the career of Mr. Crouch, though strenuous, has
been eminently honorable and useful, and his life fraught with great good
to his fellows and to the world.
OLIVER P. TERRY. M. S.. M. D.
Although young in years, the subject of this sketch has forged rapidly
to the front" in one of the most trying of the learned professions, and judg-
ing from the success he has achieved at the outset of his career his future
will be replete with large efforts and great plans fulfilled, and he will doubt-
lOlf PAST AND PRESENT
less be reckoned among the leading practitioners in a commnnity noted
for the high order of its medic:d talent.
Dr. Oliver P. Terry is a native of Tippecanoe county, having been born
in West Lafayette. July 2^. 1882, the son of Frank and Winnie (Perkins)
Terry, an old and highly h(.nored couple, their only child being Oliver P.
Terry. He recei\ed e\ery care and attention possible at their hands and
was gi\en an excellent educatinn. having passed through the local public
schools and the high school, after which he entered F'urdue University in
1899 when only seventeen years of age. taking a four-years course and
graduating from that institution with honor, taking the degree of Bachelor
of Science. Ha\ing always been a very studious lad he mastered the sub-
jects assigned him with ease and dispatch. He was also a student in Chi-
cago University for one term. Having decided to make the medical pro-
fession his life work, he entered the St. Louis University School of Medicine
in the fall i;f 1904, fnun which he graduated in igo6. receiving at the same
time the degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of ^ledicine. He evinced
an aptitude for this line of work and won the praise of his instructors and fel-
low students for liis careful and painstaking efforts. Thus he was well
equipped for his professional career when he took up the practice in 1907.
his success being instantaneous.
Doctor Terry is not only a successful practitioner, but is also the pos-
sessor of innate qualities that fit him for an instructor of no ordinary ability
and it is not too much to predict that in after years he will become known
in more than a local way in this line of endeavor. These qualities were
recognized bv the board of the medical college in St. Louis where he was a
pupil, for he was made assistant in physiology in that institution during the
years 1904 and 1905. which position he filled to the entire satisfaction of
all concerned. This was an excellent preliminary training in fitting him
for the splendid position which he now occupies, instructor of physiology
and anatomy in Purdue L'niversity. Owing to his thorough preparedness,
his natural aptitude and his fidelity to duty he is discharging the duties of
this position in a manner that reflects much credit upon himself and the in-
stitution.
The domestic life of Doctor Terry dates from June 2^: 1907. when he
was joined in the bonds of matrimony with Geraldine Drumheller. a cul-
tured and talented lady, the representative of an old family of the Mound
City. She is a graduate of the high school and the Teachers' College of St.
Louis.
TIPPECANOE COL'NTY, IND. 10 1 9
In his fraternal relations. Doctor Terry is a member of the various
fraternities of Purdue University. In pnHtics he supports the Reptiljlican
ticket. He is a member of the American Physiological Society; also the
Tippecanoe county, the State and American Medical Societies, in all of which
he takes an abiding interest. He is examiner for the North American In-
surance Company. In his religious affiliations he belongs to the Methodist
Episcopal church of West Lafayette, and both he and Mrs. Terry are prom-
inent in local social circles, being people of culture, intelligence and hos-
pitality.
THOMAS M. MARKS.
It is a tradition of this family that three brothers came from Edinburgh,
Scotland, before the Revolutionary war. one settling in Virginia, another in
Kentucky and the third in Tennessee. Thomas Marks, son of Aaron, a
descendant of the Kentucky pioneer, was born in Nelson county, Kentucky.
May 15, 1807. In the spring of 1826 he came to Tippecanoe county, entered
eighty acres of land in section 34, \\'ayne township, built a log cabin and
then returned to Kentucky for his bride. This lady was Lydia Howey,
member of one of the best families of Kentucky, whose representatives liad
distinguished themselves in the various wars. Her uncle, ^laj. James
Howey. was with General Jackson at New Orleans and did valuable work
as a scout. After his marriage, Thomas ]\Iarks started on his wedding trip
with an ox team and after a tedious journey over rough roads arrived at
his destination October 26, 1826. He kept addingi to his original eighty
acres until he owned, in Tippecanoe and Fountain counties, about five thous-
and acres, besides land in Kansas, and was one of the largest land owners
of his day in this section of Indiana. He was a thorough business man and
aside from his extensive farming operations, a lender of large sums of
money, being often employed as administrator to settle estates and act as
guardian of minor children. His only office was that of township trustee.
hi.s politics being first Whig and then Republican. He was a member of the
Bajnist church, very active in its affairs and often in pioneer days the quar-
terly meeting was held in his large barn. He was liberal, progressive and
enterprising and left a distinct impression in the community where he lived.
He died September 14. 1876. and his wife on February 13. 1876. both being
buried in the Marks cemetery, which is located on part of the land he first
entered from the government. They had seven children, who reached ma-
I02O PAST AND PRESENT
turity, besides the eldest that died in infancy. Anna, the oldest daughter,
married Daniel Crisman, but both are now dead. Jane, deceased, was the
wife of Andrew J. Berryhill. Jacob died in February, 1908. leaving a widow
and five children, the former since deceased. Aaron makes his home in
Lafayette. Elizabeth, deceased wife of John Bowles. Lydia. wife of Marion
Duncan, of Jackson township.
Thomas M. Alarks, fifth of the above list, was born in Wayne town-
ship, Tippecanoe county, July 28, 1842. As he grew up on the farm he
received a fairly good education in the district schools, supplemented by two
terms at Greencastle Academy in 1859-60. Since engaging in business for
himself, he has always lived on the farm at present occupied by himself, and
his residence is only a short distance from the place of his birth. He has
farmed extensively and with sviccess, the only intermission being from 1896
to 1898. when he spent two years in Lafayette as a contractor in building
the boulevard around the city. After taking possession of his land, he found
it necessary to do a great deal of clearing, as it was largely covered by heavy
forest. At present he owns some six hundred acres of land, of which the
land entered by his father is a part. For years Mr. Marks was an extensive
breeder of Poland China hogs and Shorthorn cattle, with fine horses on the
side, and his name became widely known as the owner of tirst-class livestock.
Feeling the need of rest, however, and being independent of hard work, he
rented out his land some years ago and now lives in retirement.
October i, 1868, Mr. Marks married Sarah E., eldest daughter of
Daniel Lane, of Jackson township, by whom he has had ten children. Lydia,
wife of John Fonts, resides in Wayne township. Cora married William
Horn, of Jackson township. Jacob and Ellis are also residents of Jackson
township, while Thomas is dead. Anna Caroline, wife of Edward Reeves,
lives in Wayne township. Charles D. and Floyd are also residents of
Wayne township, while Delia is at home. Mr. Marks has always been
an active Republican, and for twenty years ser%-ed as a member of his
party's central committee. He is a member of Shawnee Lodge. Xo. 129,
Free and Accepted Masons, at Odell's Corners, and has held all the chairs,
up to the worshipful master. His wife is a member of the United Brethren
church, and the family enjoy high social standing in the county. In fact, no
pioneer family and their descendants stand higher in Tippecanoe county
than that of Marks, and Thomas M. ranks as one of its worthiest members.
As developers and makers of the county, none have higher claims than they,
and from the time of the settlement of the first pioneer, nearly eighty-four
WILLIAM H. BURKHALTER
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND.
years ago, up to the present time, the name of Marks has been highly re-
spected, and those who bore it were always numbered among the county's
best citizens. The good wishes of thousands of friends follow Thomas M.
Marks in his retirement with fervent hopes for a long life and happiness.
WILLIAM HENRY BURKHALTER.
The history of Tippecanoe county is not a very old one. It is the
record of the steady growth of a community planted in the wilderness within
the last century and has reached its magnitude of today without other aids
than those of industry. The people who redeemed its wilderness fastnesses
were strong-armed sons of the soil who hesitated at no difficulty and
for whom hardships had little to appal. The earliest pioneers finished
their labor and passed from the scene, leaving the country to the
possession of their descendants, who builded on the foundation which they
laid so broad and deep. Among the latter class is the prominent retired
farmer and enterprising citizen by whose name this article is introduced. The
county was yet to some degree in the formative period n-hen be came upon
the scene, and he did much to assist in the development of the wonderful
resources of a county that now occupies a proud position among the most pro-
gressive and enlightened sections of Indiana.
William H. Burkhalter was born in Clinton county, Indiana, on the
6th of September, 1841, and is a son of Edward and Elizabeth (Rycraft)
Burkhalter. The subject is descended from sturdy German ancestry, his
great-grandfather, Ullery Burkhalter, having emigrated from Germany in an
early day and settled in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. He was by trade a
saddler, but was also a successful agriculturist. He bought an entire section
of land, which was densely covered with the primeval forest trees, but which,
under his persistent labor, was cleared and made into a productive farm.
He was a memljer of the German Reformed church and lived in the honor
and respect of all who knew him to a venerable age.
Peter Burkhalter, the subject's grandfather, was born on the homestead
in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, and was brought up to the life of a farmer,
in which he also was successful. He was a soldier of the war of 1812.
L^nforttmately for him, he went security for a county treasurer, who abscon-
ded and thereby iNIr. Burkhalter suiTered a loss of twenty thousand dollars,
practically his entire wealth. His only worldly possessions left were five
horses and a two-wheeled chaise and several other vehicles. In this con-
I02J PAST -VXD PRESENT
diliuii. he decided to cast his fortunes with the wonderful western country'
of whicli so many glowing accounts were being given. At anv rate, the
hor.^es could be used for traveling, which was a considerable advantage.
Carrying his purpose into effect, his first stop was in Darke county, Ohio,
where he entered a quarter section of land, which he cleared and developed
into a good home. While building the first log cabin here it was necessary
for the family to be housed in a tent which was pitched under a large oak
tree. During a terrible storm the tree fell and narrowly missed destroying
the lent and its occupants. Peter Burkhalter died at the venerable age of
eighty-i re \eirs. He was an active member of the German Reformel church
and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. To his union with Miss
Biery ten children were born, namely : Henry. Peter, Joseph, Eli, Ruben,
Edward, George, Polly, Katie and Elizabeth, all of whom are deceased.
Edward Burkhalter, the subject's father, was brought to Indiana by his
parents and took an active part in the development of the home farm. After
attaining mature years he determined to make his own way in the world and
he entered i ne hundred and seven acres of land in Ross township, Clinton
county. He had just recently been married and was a poor man. An old
friend of his. the venerable pioneer William Peter, got information to the
effect that ancither man was intending to enter the land which had been se-
lected by young Burkhalter. and, desiring the latter to get it, he went to him
and advised him to proceed without delay to the land office at Crawfords-
ville in order to be ahead of his competitor. But Mr. Burkhalter was com-
pelled to confess that he had no money with which to enter his land, and,
therefore, was helpless. The old man, however, gave him the necessary
amount and urged the ycung man to make all haste. This he did. starting
at i;nce and tra\eling as rapidlv as possible. He was afoot and the night
was extremely chrk. nevertheless he mat'e good time and by sunrise the ne.xt
morn.ing he presented himself at the land office and j^erfected his title to the
land. He was none too soon, as the transaction had hardly been completed
when the other man walked in for the purpose of entering the same land. The
lar.d was purchased at a cost of one dollar and a quarter per acre and proved
to be excellent land. Mr. Burkhalter proceeded without delay to clear and
improve the tract and eventually added to it ten acres more for a water
right. In 1860 he moved over into Tippecanoe county, purchasing one hun-
dred PUfl thirtv acres of improved land in Sheffield township. He later
erected a house near Davton and there made his home until his death, which
occurred December 2, 1878. at the age of sexenty years and twenty-one days.
I^e ^'-a-i in politics n ^Vhig. and after the dissolution of that party he l>e-
canie an ardent Rei'.ublican,
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. IO23
About the time Mr. Burkhalter attained his inajority he marriecl Ehza-
beth Rycraft, a native of Butler cuunty, Ohio, and the daughter of Joseph
and Ehzal>eth (Lytle) Rycraft. Mr. Rycraft was a pioneer settler of Day-
ton. Ohio, and liecame a well-lM-do farmer and distiller. To him and his
wife were born nine children, namely: Elizabeth. John. Georjie. Joseph,
S(|uire. Harriet, Peggv .\nn. Catherine and Hilary. Mrs. Burkhnlter died
August 3, 1865, at the age of fifty-two years, six mouths and eiglitecn diys.
She had borne her husband the following children : Sarah A. is the widow
of Jacob Kahl and li\es in Dayton ; ]\Iary C. became the wife of Noah Swank
and both are deceased : Elizabeth J. is the widow of Tilghman Paul and re-
sides in Perry township : William H.. the immediate subject of this sketch :
Margaret Ijecame the wife of David Lecklider and both are deceased; Hattie
ma'-ried Joseph Roth and Imth are dead; Louisa is the wife of Jeremiah 'SI.
Deibert, of Dayton (see sketch elsewhere in this volume) ; Alice is the wife
of Charle> Kroll ;'r.d resides in Frankfort, Indiana: Lydia is th; wife oi"
John S. Bush, of Diyton (whose sketcli appears on another page); George
li\es in Arkansas; Solomon lives in Lafayette.
William H. Burkhalter received a good common school education and
engaged in the vocation of farn'^ing until his enlistment for service during
the Civil war. On December ii, 1S63, he enlisted for three years, or as long
as the war should last, and was assigned to the Tenth Indiana A^olunteer
Battery, under Capt. William Xaylcr. In March. 1864, he was transferred to
the Eighteenth Indiana \'olunteer Battery, under Lieut, \\'iniam Rippetow.
and with this command he saw much hea\-y service. He participated in
the battles of Kenesaw ^Mountain, Resaca, Buzzard Roost and Sand JNIoun-
tain and also took part in Cook's raid in the rear of Atlanta. The batter\-
was for a time at Atlanta, from whence it was sent to Calhoun. Georgia,
and later to Nashville, Tennessee. Here the subject was transferred to the
gunboat "Stone River," where he remained until the close of the war. He
received an honorable discharge at Indianapolis on the loth of Jnlw tSf)^.
He then returned hoiue and again took up the more peaceful vocation of
farrning. For four years he managed the old homestead farm in Clinton
county, and then came to Sheffield townslii]i. this cimntv. and rented his
uncle's farm. Subse(|uently he h.ouglu a f:irm of two luuidred and forty
acres in Perry township, wliere he lived until the spring of iqoq, since which
time he has resided in Dayton, though he still owns the farm.
On March 27, 1866, Mr. Burkhalter was married by Rev. Roliert Baker
to Polly Roth, a native of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of
Daniel Roth, at that time residing in Clinton county, Indiana. She died en
1024 PAST AND PRESENT
September 27, 1870, and on Octoter 17, 1872, Mr. Burkhalter wedded
Sovilla Idle, a native of Northampton county, Pennsylvania. To this union
was born one child, Jennie, who is now the wife of Jackson Brady, of Battle
Ground, this county. After the death of his second wife, Mr. Burkhalter
married her sister, ]\Iary Idle, who was born in Clinton county. Indiana. July
29, 1857, the daughter of Franklin and Sarah (Adams) Idle. Franklin
Idle was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, andi was there mar-
ried. Subsequently he removed to Clinton county, Indiana, north of Frank-
lin, and later located in Ross township, that county, where he lived until
his death, at the age of seventy years. He was a member of the German
Baptist church, as is his widow, who still lives there. To William and Mary
Burkhalter have been born six children, namely : Sovilla married Allen
Smith, of St. Louis, Missouri, and they have two children, W'illiam H. and
Wesley; Hattie is the wife of Otto Ilinckle, of Elsen, Indiana, and is the
mother of two children, Robert William and George ; Jerome married Mabel
Martin and operates his father's farm in Perry township; Mary resides in
Lafayette ; Lydia and Moorette are at home with their parents.
In politics the subject is a stanch Republican and while residing in
Sheffield township was elected the township trustee, but he only served in
the office one year, or until 1901, when he resigned and moved to his farm
in Perry township. In 1900 he was elected to the office of county commis-
sioner, in which position he served efficiently for over six years. Fraternally
Mr. Burkhalter was made a Mason in the lodge at Dayton, of which he is still
a member. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, belonging
to Elliott Post at Daj-ton. He and his wife are faithful members of the
German Reformed church at Oxford and give to the church a hearty and
liberal support, as they do to all movements looking to the upbuilding of
the best interests of the community.
DAVID PARKER SIMISON.
No man in Randolph township, Tippecanoe county, stands higher in
the estimation of his fellow citizens than the gentleman whose name forms
the caption of this sketch, owing to the fact that his life has been so modu-
lated as to result in the accomplishment of good, nrt onlv for himself and
family, but also the community at large .
DAVID PARKER SIMISOX
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. IO25
David Parker Simison was born October 30, 1867, on his father's farm
north of Romney in Randolph township, where during his boyhood days he
attended the No. 2 district school for a short winter term, and attending the
summer schools in Romney, from which he was graduated. In 1883 he en-
tered DePauw University at Greencastle, where he was graduated with hon-
ors in June, 1889, after which he returned to the home farm and remained
with his parents until 1894, in which year he secured a position in the grain
elevator at Romney where he worked by the month for one year. Beginning
in 1895, he took charge of the elevator, where he has ever since remained,
now being part owner of the same with his brother, John F. An extensive
business is carried on with the surrounding community. They also jointly
own about two thousand acres of land in Tippecanoe and Montgomery coun-
ties, which is highly improved and very productive. David P. is also a stock-
holder and director in the Romney Bank, and the pronounced financial suc-
cess he has achieved during his brief business career stamps him as one of
the leading business men in his community.
The parents of David P. Simison, John and Eliza Simdson, were too
well known in this county to need extended mention here. Suffice it to say,
that they played well their part in the development of Randolph township
from the early days and gained a very wide circle of admiring friends, and,
being hard workers and economical, they established a good home and gave
their children every advantage. No more highly respected people ever lived
in Randolph township.
David P. Simison was first married on February 19, 1896. in this coun-
ty, to Mattie E. Stidham, who was bom January 16, 1872, in Tippecanoe
county, three and one-half miles south of Lafayette, on a farm. She was
the daughter of Alexander and Ella (Killen) Stidham, both natives of In-
diana. Mr. Simison's first wife was called to her rest on August 20. 1904,
at the age of thirty-two years, and was buried in Romney cemetery. She
was an active member of the ^lethodist Episcopal church. To this union
two children were born, Charles Alexander and Wilbert Parker, both living
at home. Mr. Simison married, on October 24, 1906, Alma Skinner, who
was born March i, 1876. in Tippecanoe county. She was the daughter of
William H. and Mary (Alexander) Skinner, both natives of Indiana and
both still living at this writing on a farm near Romney. Mr. Skinner was
a soldier in the Union army. He and his wife are the parents of five children,
four of whom grew to maturity, Mrs. David P. Simison being the third in
order of birth. Mr. Simison and his second wife are the parents of one child,
David S.
(65)
I020 PAST AND PRESENT
Like his father and brothers. David P. Simison has always been able
to see with remarkable accuracy advantages ahead, and foresee the outcome
of present transactions, always giving his closest attention to whatever he
had in hand and managing his affairs in such a way as to reap splendid re-
sults. He has natural executive ability of a high order and has won a con-
spicuous place in his locality among the energetic and prosperous business
men.
Mr. Simison has always been a stanch Republican, having taken quite
an active interest in township and county affairs, his judicious counsel often
being sought in the interest of his party. He has served as township trus-
tee in Randolph township for a period of four years, from 1901 to 1905, to
which office he was elected by a large majority and the duties of which
he discharged to the entire satisfaction of his constituents.
Fraternally Mr. Simison is a member of Lodge Xo. 441. Free and Ac-
cepted Masons, at Romney. where he has filled the chair as master, and has
also been representative to the grand lodge of Masons of Indiana. Both he
and Mrs. Simison are consistent members of the ^lethodist Episcopal church
at Romney, both being very active in church work, and for the past three
years Mr. Simison has been superintendent of thei Sunday school, which
position he now ver}' creditably holds. They are pleasant people to know.
and all who visit their beautiful home find free hospitality. There are no
more highly esteemed people in Romney township.
PETER WEAVER.
The first settler of a county is always a notable character in local his-
tory. His cabin is pointed out as a landmark as long as it lasts, events are
dated from his arrival and comparisons are always in order between con-
ditions then prevailing and those of later days. To Peter Weaver falls the
honor of being the first settler of Tipi^ecanoe county. He came from Vir-
ginia, was the son of another Peter Weaver, whose ancestry originated in
Germany, but little is known of the genealogy beyond this point. Peter
Weaver, the second, married Martha, daughter of Henry W^alker, an early
settler of \'irginia. of Scotch-English descent. In 1807 he brought his fam-
ily to Indiana and settled in what is now Wayne county, three miles south
of Richmond. E\-entually he acquired a good estate, all of which was lost
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. I02J
by becoming bondsman for the sheriff. This reverse compelled him to be-
gin life over again and he decided to seek an entirely different location. While
serving as a lieutenant in a company of rangers during the virar of 1812, he
had visited the Wabash valley and was impressed with the fertility of the
soil in the prairie section. So in 1822 he came to what is now Wayne town-
ship, Tippecanoe county, entered a tract of land adjoining Burnett's Re-
serve, and by the time of his death had entirely recouped his fortunes, though
the building up of his new property cost him many a weary day's work and
much anxious thought. He was one of the leading men of the county at
that early day, served several years as county commissioner and was at the
front in all movements to bring about a betterment of conditions. He died
in March, 1863, when ninety-six years old, his wife preceding him to the
grave many years, as her death occurred in 1825, when she was only forty-two.
They had seven children, but the limitations of this biography confine mention
to Patrick Henry Weaver, the eldest son. He was born in Culpeper county,
Virginia, in 1803, and was consequently only three years old when his par-
ents came to Indiana. At the time of the settlement in Tippecanoe county
he was nineteen years old and made a full hand on the farm for seven years
or more before he began business for himself. January 26, 1829, he mar-
ried Alice, daughter of William and Susan Dimmit, Tennesseeans who set-
tled in Wayne county, Indiana, in the early part of the last century. Mrs.
Weaver was born after the settlement in Indiana, and in 1825 came with her
parents to Tippecanoe county. After his marriage, Patrick Henry Weaver lo-
cated on a tract of one hundred and sixty-two acres in Burnett Reserve,
then unimproved, but destined in years to become one of the choice farms in
this highly favored county. Mr. Weaver spent nearly seventy years, or two
generations, on this place, and eventually owned five hundred acres, all of
which showed his good judgment and skill as a farmer. He died October
16, 1890, after completing his eighty-seventh year, having outlived his wife,
who passed away January 28, 1884, aged seventy-three years. They had
eleven children, of whom the following is a full list: Milton W., born No-
vember 18, 1829; Susannah, born August 29, 1831, married Nimrod Lisbor;
Martha, born March 2, 1833, married William Chalk; Harriet, born Jan-
uary 28, 1833, married Daniel Jackson: Theresa, born April i, 1837, mar-
ried J. Whither; Peter, born October 28, 1838; Elizabeth, born January
15, 1841, married Frank Spitzer; William, born December 30, 1842; Amanda,
born December 26, 1844, married Davis Reese: Alice, born March 28, 1847,
died in infancy; Marie J., born October 15, 1849. married Charles Tolliver.
I028 PAST AND PRESENT
Peter Weaver, sixth child of Patrick H., was born in Wayne township,
Tippecanoe county, Indiana, and followed farming all his life. He was
highly respected, just as the whole generation of Weavers have been, and
he worthily kept up the honors of his family. He married Mary Coppy,
by whom he had four children; Alonzo, a resident of Missouri; Flora,
born in 1808 and died in 1881 ; Virgis, a resident of Wayne township; and
Samuel W. The father died in 1904 and the mother, who was born in
1844, died in 1903. They are buried in the West Point cemetery by the
side of their deceased daughter. Samuel W. Weaver, the youngest of their
children, was born in W^ayne township June 19, 1875. He has spent his
whole life on a farm and was educated in the common schools; he owns
one hundred and forty acres of land in Wayne township, devoted to general
farming. He married Pearl Wagoner, by whom he has one child, Alvan.
Mr. Weaver is a highly esteemed citizen, and is regarded as one of the
countv's substantial farmers.
SIMON PETER NEWHARD.
The subject of this review has passed practically his entire life in
Tippecanoe county and is a worthy representative of one of its sterling fam-
ilies, as was also his father, now departed this life, and thus it becomes
compatible that specific mention be made of both in this compilation.
Simon Peter Newhard is a native son of the old Keystone state, having
been born, as were so many other residents of this county, near Allentown,
Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. He was born on the nth of October. 1859,
and is a son of Aaron and Christina (Moyer) Newhard. natives also of
Lehigh county, as were the subject's grandparents, Peter and Susan New-
hard. Aaron Newhard was a successful farmer and in i860 he came to
Tippecanoe county and purchased a farm in the eastern part of Perry town-
ship, near the Clinton county line, where he spent the remainder of his
days. He was an energetic man and an upright citizen and commanded
universal respect from all who knew him. He was a firm believer in the
platform of the Democratic party and gave it his support at the polls. After
he had been here a few years, his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Peter
Newhard, came on from their Pennsylvania home and here remained until
their deaths. Peter Newhard was born April 5, 1798. and died September
28, 1872, while his wife Susan, who was born January 21, 1805, died No-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. IO29
vember 3, 1875. Their remains were laid to rest in beautiful Oxford ceme-
tery, in Perry township, as were those of their son Aaron and his wife.
Aaron, who was born January 13, 1825, died April 10, 1900, and his wife
Christina, who was born February 12, 1824, died December 16, 1894.
They were active members of the German Reformed church. To Aaron
and Christina Newhard were born the following children: Abbie became
the wife of Daniel Peters and both are deceased; Tilara is the wife of INIan-
ford Virgin, of Perry township; Catherine became the wife of Levi Mover
and they reside in Sheffield township ; Frank died in early youth ; Christina
married Frank Sense and both are deceased; Simon Peter, the immediate
subject of this sketch; Rosa, deceased; Martha, the wife of Thomas Smiley.
of Lafayette ; Oliver lives at Roseburg, Oregon ; Preston resides in Clinton
county, this state. Of these children, the first six named were born in
Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, and the others in Tippecanoe county.
Simon P. Newhard was only about six months old when his parents
brought their family to their new western home and he has lived here con-
stantly since. He remained under the parental roof during his boyhood and
gave faithful attendance to the common schools. After his marriage, which
occurred in 1884, he started out in life for himself, renting a farm in Perry
township. Subsequently he bought and moved onto the fine farm which he
now occupies. This farm, which consists of ninety-five acres, adjoins the
town of Dayton on the south, and is considered one of the choicest pieces of
farm land in the township. Here Mr. Newhard erected a splendid modern
residence and has in many other ways brought the entire property up to a
high standard of excellence.
In politics Mr. Newhnrd adheres to the faith of his fathers and gives
to the party of Jefiferson and Jackson an earnest support. His religious
membership is with the Presbyterian church, to which his wife also belongs.
Fraternally, he is a member of Dayton Lodge. No. 103. Free and Accepted
Masons, and Dayton Lodge, Knights of Pythias, while he and his wife be-
long to the order of the Eastern Star.
On February 2, 1884, Mr. Newhard was united in marriage with Ma-
rilla Baker, a daughter of Clark L. Baker, whose sketch appears elsewhere
in this work. To them have been born five children, namely ; ' Florence,
Elda, Clarence, Stanley and Gordon. In every walk of life Mr. Newhard
has lived up to the highest ideals and is well liked in the community in which
he lives. He possesses splendid personal qualities and gives his support to
every movement looking to the best interests of his community.
I030
PAST AND PRESENT
PROF. BURTON GROUSE SHARPE.
In one of the most exacting of all callings, the subject of this sketch
has attained distinction, being recognized as one of the most successful teach-
ers in the county of Tippecanoe. He is a well educated, symmetrically de-
veloped man, his work as an educator having brought him prominently to
the notice of the public, the result of which is a demand for his services
where a high standard of professional excellence is desired. He is a gentle-
man of splendid tastes and studious habits, keeps abreast the times in ad-
vanced educational methods and he stands well in the esteem of those who
know him.
Burton C. Sharpe is a native son of Sheffield township, Tippecanoe
county. Indiana, having been born on a farm just northeast of the town of
Dayton on the 8th of October, 1875. He is a son of Dr. Edward C. and
Molly (Burton) Sharpe, the latter having died in 1877, when the subject
was but two years old. Edward C. Sharpe was born near Lafayette, the
son of Xoah and Rebecca Sharpe. These parents were natives of the Old
Dominion state, having removed to Tippecanoe county about 1848. They
settled at Oakland Hill, near Lafayette, where they were successfully en-
gaged in farming.
Edward C. Sharpe obtained a good education in the common schools,
after which he entered and was graduated at the Louisville Medical College,
Louisville, Kentucky. He first entered upon the active practice of his pro-
fession in the village of Montmorenci, Tippecanoe county. A short time
later he removed to Pleasant Green, Missouri, where he enjoyed a good
practice and during which time he served as surgeon for the Missouri, Kan-
sas & Texas railroad. Subsequently he removed to Lisbon, Missouri, and
soon afterward to Pleasant Hope and then to Levicks Mills, both in the same
state. His last removal was to Fort Scott, Kansas, where he is now en-
gaged in the active practice of his profession and enjoying a large practice.
As stated before, the subject of this sketch lost his mother by death
when he was but two vears old, after which sad event he was brought to
Da>-ton and placed in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles :\Iorris, with whom
he lived five years, attending one term of school the meanwhile. He then
joined his father at Pleasant Green, Missouri, where he attended school, as
he did also at Lisbon and Pleasant Hope, where his father was also located
at different times. At the last-named place he attended the Presbyterian
Normal .\cademv. after which lie returned to Dayton and engaged in farm
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. IO3I
work in the summers and tending cattle in the winter. For this later he
received the compensation of eight dollars per month and board. This was
a small wage, but he was determined to secure an education, and in this
way he was enabled to pay his way through school. He graduated from
the public schools at Dayton in 1893, and the following year he took a
teacher's examination, in which he was successful in securing a one-year
license. For five consecutive years he taught in the schools of Sheffield town-
ship, and he then took a term of work at the Terre Haute Nornial School,
after which he taught another term in the common schools. He then took a
high school teacher's examination at Lafayette, in which he was successful
in securing a certificate, and in 1900 he taught the first high school in Perry
township, a position he retained for three years. He was then elected prin-
cipal of the Dayton school, in which capacity he served one year, teaching
in tlie grades the following year. The next year he became principal again,
holding this position until the close of the school year of 1909, when he was
elected principal of the high school at Stockwell, this county.
The work Professor Sharpe accomplished while in charge of the Day-
ton school was of a very definite nature and speaks volumes for his ability
as an educator. Wlien he took charge of the school it had no official stand-
ing among the high schools of the state, but in 1907 Professor Shai-pe se-
cured its certification, and, through his efforts, in 1908, it became a commis-
sioned high school. The students who have graduated from this school have
stood well in advanced educational institutions to which they have gone and
the general advance made in the standing of the school and the standard of
studies there have reflected the progressive ideas and administrative ability
of him who for eight years w-as at its head. Pupils and patrous alike sj^eak
in the highest terms of the relations of Prof. Sharpe with his students, each
one of whom was always the subject of his personal interest.
On Februarv 19. 1895, Professor Sharpe was united in marriage with
Sudie N. Dryer, and to them have been born three children, Brooke, Har-
riet and Portia. Professor and Mrs. Sharpe are active members of the
Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has been the efficient chorister for
a number of years, being also a teacher in the Sunday school. In politics
he is a stanch Republican and takes a keen interest in the events of the day
pertaining to public policies. He is a member of the Free and Accepted
Masons, having been raised to the degree of a Master ]\Iason in Dayton Lodge,
No. 103, of which he is the present worshipful master. He and Iiis wife be-
long to the Order of the Eastern Star, which Mrs. Sharpe is now serving
1032 PAST AND PRESENT
as Ruth. In the Dayton Lodge, Knights of Pythias, Professor Sharpe has
passed all the chairs and is now the keeper of records and seal.
In 1905 the subject entered into a partnership with Charles Morris,
under the firm style of Sharpe & Morris, and conducted a grocery and meat
market until the spring of 1909. when they sold out. Professor Sharpe is
possessed of musical talent of a high order and has done much to advance the
art in Dayton. He took a leading part in organizing the Dayton band, one
of the best organizations of the kind in this locality. It is said he can play
every instrument in the band, excepting the clarionet. He has taken a live
interest in the impro\-ement of the town and set a splendid example when he
erected the fine cement residence in which he now lives. The house is mod-
ern in every respect and is comfortable and well arranged. Here the latch-
string of hospitality ever hangs outside and a hearty and cordial welcome is
given all comers. Professor and Mrs. Sharpe are popular in the social circles
in which they move and are esteemed by all who know them.
MOSES A. LENTZ.
The name of Lentz has been for many years an honored and respected
one in Tippecanoe county, and the gentleman of that name who is the im-
mediate subject of this sketch is richly deserving of the universal respect and
esteem which is accorded him in the community in which he lives. For many
years one of the leading manufacturers at Dayton, his business finally swept
away during a serious financial panic, and then, by dint of the most strenuous
and determined efforts to recover his former position in the business world
— all the while retaining the confidence of those who best knew him — such is
a brief epitome of the career of the subject. Now, in the fullness of years,
he is still to be found at the helm and is today considered one of the leading
and representative citizens of his community.
Moses A. Lentz, who has been engaged in active business at Dayton,
Tippecanoe county, longer than any other man, is a native of the old Key-
stone state, having been born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, on the i6th
day of July, 1840. He is the son of William and Sarah (Baliet) Lentz,
also natives of Pennsylvania and respected farming people of that section,
but both now dead. The subject remained under the parental roof until
nearly seventeen years old. The family was not well-to-do and the subject
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. IO33
was compelled to toil early and late on the farm, to the neglect of his edu-
cation, so that at the age mentioned he had been able to atten(i the public
schools only about twenty months altogether. At this time he became an ap-
prentice in a wood-working and painting establishment. In this shop he
worked for five years for his board and clothes, the only exception to this
plan being that during three weeks each year he was permitted to go to the
harvest field and earn what he could there, the money thus earned being the
sum total of all that came into his hands during these five years. However,
he paid strict attention to his duties and learned all be could about the busi-
ness, so that at the expiration of his term of apprenticeship he was a well-
finished workman. He then accepted a position in another shop in Union-
ville, Lehigh countv, but, determined to start in business for himself, he
came to Dayton, Indiana, in the fall of 1864 and opened a carriage shop. In
the following March, he returned to Pennsylvania and brought his family
to the new western home. There was but a small settlement here at that
time, but there was a large demand for vehicles throughout this western
country. Mr. Lentz started out with ten employees, but was soon com-
pelled to increase his force until, in 1872. he was employing thirty men. He
took pride in the high quality of his output and the establishment gained
a reputation that brought business to it from all sides. Up to 1873
the factory was located where the Dayton Hotel now stands, and in con-
nection with the shop Mr. Lentz also conducted a livery business for
five or six years.
The panic of 1873 found Mr. Lentz carrying a very heavy book account,
and during those days he was compelled to extend a very heavy credit, with
the result that he was unable to carry the burden, and during the following
four years he lost about forty-five thousand dollars. It was a terrible loss.
but Mr. Lentz and his good wi'fe, undaunted by their misfortune, went
bravely to work and from 1879 ^o 1882 they ran what was then known as
the Lentz Hotel. Mrs. Lentz proved a good manager, and at the end of
three years was able to show a balance on the right side of the ledger of over
a thousand dollars. Mr. Lentz then went across Wild Cat creek and pur-
chased forty acres of land for eight hundred dollars, on which he conducted
farming operations for eleven years. In connection therewith he also ran
a repair shop on the farm and was liberally patronized. In 1892 he sold
the farm for eighteen hundred dollars and then found himself with a cash
capital of three thousand seven hundred and sixty-two dollars. His thoughts
were with his first love and he bought back the old carriage shop for seven
I034 PAST AND PRESENT
hundred dollars and their former residence across the street for eighteen hun-
dred dollars. Once again embarking in the carriage business, he soon found
his old trade coming back to him and he has ever since enjoyed a splendid
business. In connection with the turning out of much new work, the estab-
lishment also does much repair work and blacksmithing. The firm name has
been changed a number of times. A company was formed under the name
of Lentz, Mathews & Company, but four years later it returned to the old
style of M. A. Lentz, which it retained until 1896. In that year his son
Roy became interested in the business, which was conducted under the name
of M. A. Lentz & Son until 1906, when the subject again became the sole
owner of the business, which is now run under his name alone.
Moses A. Lentz was married in Pennsylvania to Caroline Roth, a native
of Lehigh county, that state. Airs. Lentz proved a helpmeet to her husband
in the fullest sense of the word and much of his success in life he attributes
to her encouragement, wise advice and active assistance. Her death occurred
in November, 1906. and the entire community sustained a distinct loss in
her removal. She was a woman of many excellent qualities of head and
heart and was loved by all who knew her. In her youth she was a member of
the German Lutheran church, and after her removal to Da^-ton she became
a member of the Reformed church. To Air. and Airs. Lentz were born
three children, namely: Alidina S. is the wife of Samuel P. ^^^eavel"' and
lives in Perry township, this county; Emma J. became the wife of Alillard
Edwards and resides in Sheffield township: Roy S. lives in Dayton. Air.
Lentz's second marriage was with Airs. Laura L. Baer iicc Aluse. She is a
lady of splendid attainments and is popular in the circles in which she moves.
She is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star at Dayton and is also an
active member of the Methodist Episcopal church here.
In politics Air. Lentz is a stanch Republican, though he has never been
an aspirant for public office. His fraternal relations have been with the Ala-
sonic order, holding membership in the blue lodge at Dayton, of which he
was a trustee for a number of years, and with the chapter and commandery
at Lafayette. He also belongs to the Eastern Star. Air. Lentz is a meni-
1>er of the 1x)ard of trustees of the Alethodist Episcopal church at Dayt(^n
and otherwise takes an active part in advancing the interests of the church in
the community. During his long and industrious career. Air. Lentz has not
only gained a strong position among his fellow business men, but as a man
of force of character, upright and honest in his dealings with his fellow
citizens, he has gained the esteem of all who know him.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. IO35
RANDOLPH WIGGINS.
One of the well-known and influential citizens of Wabash township,
Tippecanoe county, Indiana, is Randolph Wiggins, who has spent his en-
tire life here. He has always been actively interested in everything which
tended to promote the development of this region, and has been confidently
counted upon at all times to endorse progressive mieasures and to uphold
every effort to ad\-ance the best interests of the community.
Mr. Wiggins, who owns a fine farm in sections 31 and 32, was born
on the farm which he now owns and on which he resides, the date of his
birlh being July 23, 1848. His parents were Isaac Bl and Mary (Mar-
steller) Wiggins. Isaac B. Wiggins was born on February 4, 1816, in
Pickaway county, Ohio, and came with his parents tO' Tippecanoe county in
1829. They settled on the Wabash bottoms in section 27, Wabash town-
ship, where the father engaged in farming, in which he was fairly success-
ful. The subject's paternal grandfather was Lemuel Wiggins, who also
followed farming. He was the father of a large family. Isaac Wiggins
ga\'e much attention tn stock raising, in which also he was successful. He
was not a man who courted publicity, but \\'as eminently public-spirited in
his attitude toward public improvements, especially gravel roads. In poli-
tics he was a Democrat, and in religion he was a member of the Christian
church, in which he took an active part. His early education, which was
secured in the schools of his Ohio home, was somewhat limited, but he was
keen mentally and exhibited a shrewdness and ability which put him on a par
with others more fortunate in their schooling. When he came to Lafavette
there had been but little improvement, the country being wild and covered
with the primeval forests, excepting an occasional strip of prairie ground.
At that time ( 1829) there was but one small brick store here, and the sub-
ject can remember when there was no business transacted above what is
now Fifth street. Isaac Wiggins died on September 30, 1881. His mar-
riage to Mary Marsteller occurred on November 28, 1839. She was born
in May, 1816, in Licking county, Ohio, and was brought in an early day
to Tippecanoe county, her family being among the pioneers of this section.
The subject was one of six children, the others being Ruth. Charles, Mar-
ietta. Margaret E. and George B., all of whom are deceased. Mrs. Marv
Wiggins departed this life on July 16, 1880.
1036 PAST AND PRESENT
Randolph Wiggins attended the common schools in his youth and se-
cured a fair education for that day. He was reared to the life of a farmer
and has followed that pursuit all his life. He owns now eighty-five acres in
section 31, township 24, range 4 west, and one hundred and fifteen acres
in section 32 adjoining. He has given considerable attention to the raising
of livestock, in which he has been very successful, having on hand con-
tinually an average of about two hundred head of various kinds. He is
progressive in his methods, giving proper attention to the rotation of crops
and other elements of successful agriculture, and the present condition of
his property indicates him to be a man of good taste and sotind judgment.
He is a man of splendid physique, standing but a fraction of an inch under
six feet in stature. While Mr. Wiggins is public-spirited in his attitude
toward those things which go to the betterment of the community, he is
not a seeker after public office. In politics he is a Prohibitionist, believ-
ing that the temperance question is the most vital problem now before the
American people, and in this movement he takes an active part. He and
his wife are members of the Christian church at Pleasant Grove and take a
leading part in the various activities of society.
On November 3, 1875, Mr. Wiggins married Sarah Emma Stanford,
who was born June 19, 1854, the third of six children born to William and
Elizabeth Ann (Swartz) Stanford. William Stanford was born in England
February 8, 1826, and came to the United States in young manhood, locat-
ing in New Albany, Indiana, where he met and married Miss Swartz, the
latter event occurring on February 14, 1850. Mrs. Sanford was born Oc-
tober 10, 1828. Her father was a successful farmer in Floyd and White
counties and was also engaged in teaching in Floyd and Warren counties,
being widely known and highly respected. To Mr. and Mrs. Wiggins have
been born nine children, as follows: Mary Ellen, born November 22, 1878,
died at the age of one year and five months; Charles, born May 22, 1880, is
at home; Clara, born April 5. 1882, is the wife of Philip McKinnis and lives
at Battle Ground, this county; Aaron, born January 6, 1884, died in in-
fancy; Maud, born January 22, 1886, is the wife of Homer Roos, of Wabash
township, and they have one child, Mary Emma; Netta Pearl, born February
10, 1888, at home; Rudolph, born September 11, 1889, at home; Everett,
born February 8, 1892, died in infancy; Cora Blanche, born Januar}- 19,
1895, at home. Mr. and Mrs. Wiggins, who have been residents of this sec-
tion of the country for many years, have always enjoA^ed the wann con-
fidence of all who knew them, their sterling qualities of character ciimmend-
ing them to the entire community.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. IO37
MICHAEL RENTSCHLER.
Indiana has received her full share of the better class of German im-
migrants, regarded in all the states as the most desirable of any of the Eu-
ropean people that come to us. Among those who came over during the dec-
ade succeeding the Civil war were Matthew and Christena ( Claughbaugh)
Rentschler. who were born and married in Wurttemberg, Germany, and
emigrated in 1874. After reaching New York they started' as quickly as
■ possible for Indiana, which had been decided on as their objective point, and
in due timie reached Lafayette, in which place, however, they resided only
temporarily. After looking around a while they decided on a suitable tract
of land in Tippecanoe county, of which they took possession and began to
farm with the industry and painstaking care known only to this thrifty race.
Mr. Rentschler died in 1886 and his wife on March 29, 1909, leaving be-
hind them a host of friends and the good will of all. They were members
of the German Lutheran church and people of high notions about everything,
especially questions with a moral side to them. They had eight children,
Mary, the eldest, is the wife of Frank Morris; Michael, the oldest son, is
the subject of this sketch; John and Matthew, next in order, are unmarried;
Fred married Emma Southworth, George took Lillian Shilling for his wife,
and William and Anna are single.
^lichael Rentschler, second of this family, was born in Wurttemberg,
Germany, March 26, 1864, and hence was ten years old when his parents
crossed the waters. He assisted his father with the farm work after settling
in Tippecanoe county and as he grew up obtained a fair education both in
German and English. After leaving school he worked by the month as
a farm laborer, which occupation he followed until his marriage to Ida
Jane McLaughlin, which occurred December 25, 1892. She was a daugh-
ter of William and Jane (Mattix) McLaughlin, deceased, and bom August
13, 1873, in Fairfield township, Tippecanoe county. Her father was bom
in Ross county, Ohio. September 27, 1832, while his wife was a native of
Jefferson county, Indiana. Of their four children two died in infancy and
the sun'ivors are William E., who married Bertha Wise and resides at
Lafayette, and Mrs. Rentschler. After his marriage Mr. Rentschler lived
on the old McLaughlin farm until March, 1908, when he bought the farm
of eighty acres in the west half of the northwest quarter of section 36 in
Washington township, where he has since resided. Grace Anna, their one
child, born March 24. 1896. has gone through most of the common school
1038 PAST AND PRESENT
grades and is a bright and promising girl. The family are memibers of the
English Lutheran church at Lafayette and Mr. Rentschler is a Republican
in his political views. }vlrs. Rentschler"s mother died February 2'j, 1903,
and her father June 6, 1905. The Rentschlers are fine samples of the Ger-
man fanning class, careful, hard-working, industrious and saving. They
also show the national traits of sociability and hospitality, as all worthy [per-
sons who call are sure of a warm greeting and good treatment.
PROF. ERASTUS TEST, M. S., M. D.
Indiana has been especially honored in the high character and eminent
attainment of her professional educators, among whom none are better known
or hold more distinctive prestige than the distinguished! scholar and professor
whose name appears at the head of this article. For many years identified
with one of the people's most sacred interests and a teacher in the especial
field to which his talents have been devoted, he has labored long and earnest-
ly to raise the standard of education in his beloved commonwealth. And in
view of what he has so successfully achieved it is but just to claim for him a
conspicuous place among the eminent men to whom the state is so greatly in-
debted for the high rank to which her system of common schools and various
institutions of more advanced grade have attained.
Dr. Erastus Test, of the department of mathematics, Purdue University,
is a native of Indiana and hails from the county of Wayne, where his birth oc-
curred on November 12, 1836. His father, Samuel Test, Jr., was a native of
New Jersey and originally a manufacturer of cotton and woolen goods, but
later became a tiller of the soil, and his mother, who bore the maiden name
of Hannah Jones, was of Pennsylvania birth. These parents came west in
an early day and for a number of years were honored residents of ^^'■ayne
county, Indiana, where they reared their family of .seven children, three of
whom are stiM living. Dr. Test's childhood and youlth werei spent in his
native county and his preliminary educational discipline under the direction
of a private tutor was of such a character as to develop at quite an early age
the lad's intellectual capabilities and to arouse in him a decided predilection
for study and the acquirement of knowledge. In due time he was prepared
for a higher course of training; accordingly in 1861 he matriculated at Earl-
ham College, where he prosecuted his studies until completing the prescribed
course, receiving from that institution, in 1863, the degree of Bachelor of
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. I039
Science. Three vears later hi:? alma mater conferred upon him the Master's
degree and in 1868 he was graduated from the medical department of the
University of Michigan. Having decided to make the medical profession his
life work, he subsequently entered the Indiana Medical College at Indian-
apolis where in 1873 he took for 'the second time the degree of Doctor of
Medicine. In the meantime he taught a private school in Richmond and in
1864 was elected principal of the high school of that city, which position he
held with credit to himseilf and to the satisfaction of the public for one year.
In 1865 Doctor Test liecame professor of science in Earlham College,
in which capacitv lie continued until 1875 when he severed his connection
with the institution and tluring the three years ensuing practiced medicine at
Dundee, Illinois. Later he went to Oregon, but after filling the chair of
chemistry in the medical college of that state for one year, returned East and
accepted the principalship of the Raisin Valley Seminary, near Adrian, Mich-
igan, where he taught with marked success for a period of five years. In
1 88 1 he founded the Central Academy at Plainfield, Indiana, which he began
with very meager accommodations and a small attendance, but by the close
of the second vear a substantial brick building had been erected and fur-
nished and the institution placed on a solid basis for effective work. Turning
the above enterprise over to other management, the Doctor in 1883 was made
instructor in the Richinond Normal School, which position he held until 1886,
when he took charge of the Union high school at Westfield, where he labored
with great acceptance until elected head of the preparatory department of
Purdue Universitv two years later.
When the above department was discontinued in 1894 Doctor Test was
transferred to the department of mathematics, where he has since remained
and where he has added continuously to his success and reputation as a teach-
er, also to his high personal standing, being one of the most popular members
of the facility and a general faxorite with the hundreds of students who every
year profit by his instruction.
As already indicated, Doctor Test has achieved enduring fame as an
educator and his many years of distinguished ser\'ice have brought him
prominently to the front among the leading teachers of his own state and
have given him an honorable reputation in educational circles throughout
the entire country. Although well advanced in years, he is as fresh and alert
physically and mentally as in the days of his prime and it is a fact worthy
of note that he is now doing the most effective and acceptable work of his
life, his intellectual faculties appearing to increase in strength and vigor and
his manner of imparting instruction more efficient as he grows in age and
experience.
1 040 PAST AND PRESENT
Doctor Test was married, August 13, 1868, to Mary Taylor, of Morgan
county, Indiana, daughter of Joseph N. and Phoebe G. Taylor; Mrs. Test
was educated at Earlham College, graduating with the class of 1867, and is
a lady of intelligence, culture and beautiful! character. She has presented
her husband with three sons, the oldest of whom, Dr. Frederick C. Test,
whose birth occurred on June 14, 1869, is a prominent physician of Chicago
where he has built up a large and lucrative practice. He is married and the
father of two children, a son and a daughter. Charles Darwin and Louis
Agassiz Test, twins, were born June 18, 1874, the former being professor
of chemistry in the State School of Mines, at Golden, Colorado, while the
latter is head of the department of chemistry in Occidental College, Los
Angeles, California.
Politically, Doctor Test is pronounced in his allegiance to the Repub-
lican party, casting his first presidential ballot in i860 for Lincoln and his
last for Taft in 1908. He was reared under the auspices of the Society of
Friends, to which society he and his wife still belong.
LOUIS CLAWSON.
Among the well-remembered citizens of Fairfield township, Tippecanoe
county, who succeeded in leaving the indelible imprint of their strong per-
sonalities upon their neighbors, who established a good home' for his family
and then passed on to his reward on a higher plane, of action in the undis-
covered beyond, was Louis Clawson, who was born near Delphi. Carroll
county, Indiana, February 28, 1854, and whose death occurred July 31, 1902,
after a well-spent and useful life. He was the son of Abraham Clawson, a na-
tive of Greene county. Ohio. His mother was a ]\Iiss Nipper, born near Delphi,
Indiana. Early in life they came to Colburn, Indiana, locating near that town,
where Mrs. Abraham Clawson died, and it was there that Abraham married
a second time, his last wife being Alice Liptrap, of Chillicothe. Ohio. She
is still living near Boswell, Indiana. To Abraham Clawson and his first
wife six children were born, only two of whom, George and Mary, are liv-
ing, she is the wife of F. Loy, .living east of Delphi, Indiana. Abraham
Clawson devoted his life to farming and always made a comfortable living
for himself and family.
Louis Clawson, of this review, was taught by Abraham Clawson to
carry on general farming, consequently when he started in life for himself
he was equipped for the struggle which he carried on so successfully. He
LOUIS CLAWSON
MRS. LOUIS CLAWSON
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. IO4I
had remained at home assisting with the farm work, attending the common
schools in the winter time, until he was twenty-three years of age. He came
to Tippecanoe county in 1878 and he spent the remainder of his life here,
achieving distinction as a progressive agriculturist and a public-spirited
citizen.
Air. Clawson was married on May 6, 1880, to Susan Lairy, of Lafay-
ette, Indiana, daughter of Alexander and Mary Ann (Isley) Lairy, both
natives of Ohio. Mr. Lairy came to this county with his parents in 1830,
locating in Perry township, but after his marriage he moved to Fairfield
township, where he engaged in farming. His wife was the daughter of
Henry and Mary (Miller) Isley. The former died in 1863 and the latter in
February, 1894. She married a second time, her last husband being Charles
H. Grimes, a native of North Carolina, the wedding occurring in March,
1869. Mr. Grimes is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Lairy were the
parents of six children, namely : Henry, Thomas and Elizabeth, all de-
ceased; Robert, a carpenter and farmer, lives at Lafayette; Susan, who mar-
ried Louis Clawson, of this review ; Manson. a well-known physician of
Lafayette.
One child was born to Charles H. Grimes and wife, the Rev. James
Edward Grimes, a minister in the United Brethren church of Warsaw,
Indiana.
Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Louis Clawson, namely :
Cora B. married Omar Enyart, of Rochester. Indiana, and they have one
daughter, Lois : Pearl is the wife of John Wise, a farmer in Fairfield town-
ship, this county, and they have one child, Gladys Doris; Roy has always
lived at home, and runs the farm; Robert is at home; the fifth child, Man-
son, died in infancy ; Edith and Raymond are both living at home. Cora
and Pearl were both educated in the common schools and graduated in the
high school in ]\Iay, 1897; then they took a course in the Normal School at
Valparaiso, Indiana ; each has taught six terms, Cora having taught the
Ford school in Tippecanoe township, also at Deer creek; Pearl taught one
term in Perry township and five terms in Wea township ; they are regarded
as excellent instructors and both are favorites with a large circle of friends
and acquaintances.
After his marriage. Air. Clawson lived in Perry township for a short
time, then moved to Fairfield township where he purchased forty-seven acres
of land in section 12. He also operated very successfully a threshing ma-
chine which he owned for a period of twenty-six years. He was a man
of thrift and great energy\ When he purchased the farm in Fairfield town-
(66)
1 042 PAST AND PRESENT
sliip there was on it a log dwelling and a log stable. These in time gave
way to a very substantial and comfortable home and an excellent barn, erect-
ing the former in 1903 and the latter in 1892. He also made many other
extensive improvements until this place ranks well in the forefront with
other up-to-date farms of this township. He carried on general farming
and was successful. He never aspired for public office, but was a strong
Democrat. He was a faithful member of the Lutheran church. His death
was deeply lamented by, the entire community where he was well and favor-
ably known. Mrs. Clawson is a highly educated woman, affable and neigh-
borly, and she has a fine family, all lieing popular in this township and wher-
ever they are known.
JOHX R. CUXXIXGHAM.
The family of this name originated in Ireland. John R. Cunningham,
who was a native of that country, remained there until early manhood and
then emigrated with his wife Rebecca to the United States. He located on
a farm in Clermont county, Ohio, when that section was wild and sparsely
settled and made his living by farming in a small way until the war of 1812.
He enlisted in one of the military companies recruited for that contlict and
eventually found himself a part of the army of the ill-fated General Hull.
After the surrender of that unfortunate officer at Detroit lie escaped and
fled to the forest, where he was nearly stan-ed during his subsequent
wanderings. Finally he and his companions reached a friendly neighbor-
hood where thej- were fed and cared for until they had recuperated. Aftei"
the cessation of hostilities. I\Ir. Cunningham returned to his home and re-
sumed farming, but in 1824 decided to make his future residence in Indiana.
Settling first in Dearborn county, he remained there until 183 1, when he
pushed farther west and became one of the first settlers of Washington to\\^^-
.ship, in the county of Tippecanoe. He remained liere until the close of his
mortal career, leaving a number of descendants who- have worthily borne
liis name. John Cunningiiam, his eldest son. was born in Darke county.
Ohio, April i, 1820, and hence was about eleven years old when his parents
settled in Indiana. He grew up on his father's farmi in Tippecanoe county
and later became a prosperous farmer on his o-\\m account, and by the time
of his deatli had accumulated two hundred and three acres of land in Tipi>e-
canoe township. He lived for a while at Battle Groimd, was a meml>er of
the Christian church and a Democrat in jxilitics. He married Salome Bemen-
derfer. by whom he had six children, Mary E.. wife of J. O. Conley, of Tippe-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. IO43
canoe township: John R. ; Douglas A., a farmer of Iowa; Emma, and Ida,
deceased.
John R. Cunningham, second of this family, was born in Tippecanoe
township, Tippecanoe county, Indiana, Februaiy 8, 1854. He remained at
home, assisting with the farm work and occasionally attending school until
he had completed his twenty-first year. He then went to Kansas and worked
there for nine months as a farm laborer. December 5, 1883, he married
Catherine, daughter of Isaac and Mary J. (Lawman) Yost, who was boTn
November 16, 1858. Her father was a native of Darke county, Ohio, and
her mother was bom in Virginia, April 2, 1834. They came to Tippecanoe
county in the fall of 185 1, located in Perry township, but latef removed to
Dayton, where he died in March, 1888. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Cun-
ningham, with the dates of their respective births, are as follows: Lulu,
September, 1883; Belva, January, 1885: Blanche, No\-ember, 1886: Mabel,
July, 1888; Earl, March, 1890; Rudolph, June 18, 1893: Marie, Novemter
13, 1895; Erma, May 30, 1899; Alfred J., August 17, 1903. Lulu, Belva,
Blanche and Rudolph are graduates of the high; school. When married,
Mr. Cunningham had little with which to start life. However, he and his
wife worked hard, as farmers and their wives can work, and at last their
toil was measurably rewarded. At present they own two hundred and seven-
ty-five acres of excellent and productive land, besides fifty-eight acres in-
herited from his father. He paid especial attention to livestock, raising good
hogs and cattle, and it was to this feature of the farm that he was indebted
for the best part of his income. Shortly after his marriage, Mr. Cunning-
ham made a venture in Kansas that proved rather disastrous. He was glad
to get to what was then a much less promising agricultural state than now,
and when he returned in 1888 he had to borrow money to pay the fre'ight
on his stock. This set-back compelled him to start life over again at the
bottom, but pluck and labor conquered and he is now independent. Though
he rents most of his farm, he still manages a part of the place in person, as
he prefers to be busy as long as his health holds out. He is not only a good
farmer and excellent business man, but he is valued as a neighbor and es-
teemed as a citizen.
JOHN C. BROMMER.
The familv nf this name descended from a line of German mechanics.
Conrad Brommer, who was a shoemaker by trade, left the Fatherland in
18;; and reached New York citv after a tedious voyage in the steerage.
10^4 'P-''^'^ ■''^'° PRESENT
Pushing west, he tnrried a while in Philadelphia, from which city he came
direct to Indiana and located in Lafayette ahout the year 1S57. After \v<:irk-
ino- a while in a shoe factory, the German instinct for independence asserted
itself and he started a shop of his own. It proved to be a wise mo\-e. as he
prospered and in time found himself in good financial circumstances. He
died ^lay 28. 1897, but his wife, who was Christena Straub and a native
of Germany, where he married her, makes her home w^ith Jacob Wibers at
Lafayette. Of their ten children, Mary, Ella. John C., Catherine. Amelia and
Lorena are the rnlv survivors, the two first named being residents of Indian-
apolis.
John C. Brommer. third of this family, was born in Tippecanoe county.
Indiana. November 27. 1862. \Mien thirteen years old he began to leani
the candymaking trade with a concern in Lafayette, and remained until he
mastered its intricacies. W'heri fifteen years old he was fortunate in secur-
ing a position with Barney Spitznagle, present city treasurer of Lafayette, in
the wholesale leather and saddleiw business, which was destined to prove
of great advantage in his subsequent career. In five years he had so mas-
tered the details and become so proficient that he ^^■as offered the important
trust I if traveling salesman, and. though the firm changed names several
times, he was continued in his place under all managements. He remained
with them until January, 1909, a period of some twenty-five years, during
which time he established a high reputation as a competent and reliable busi-
ness man. of the highest integrity of character. After quitting the road he
retired to his farm of one hundred and seven acres in Washington town-
ship, where he is taking life easy in the freedom and independence known
only to the farmer.
T\Iay 26. 1887. ^Ir. Brommer married Blanche, daughter of John F. and
Ellen C. (Rothrock) Isley, the former of English and the latter of German
descent. Evertcn C the only child by this union, born November 4, 1888.
was graduated in the class of 1908 from Purdue L'niversity. having pre-
viously graduated from the Lafayette high school : he is now instructor in
mechanics at Purdue. -Mr. Brommer is a member of the German Reformed
church, while his wife is a ^lethodist. In politics, while voting the Demo-
cratic ticket in state and national affairs, he carries his sovereignty under
his hat when it comes to local politics, and casts an independent ballot. He
is a member of Transitville Lodge. No. 425. Free and .\ccepted JNIasous.
Mr. Brommer is a well informed business man and enjoys general esteem
as a citizen.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. IO45
HENRY MACAK.
Under this name we deal with a worthy family w^hich came to us or-
iginally from one of the celebrated provinces of Austria. Frank Macak
was bom near Prague, July 4, 1825, and is now nearly eighty-five years
old. He has bad an adventurous and eccentric career. According to the
laws of Austria every citizen must give up so many years to militan,' duty.
but after getting in Mr. Macak served ten years. Eventually wearying of
uniforms, brass buttons and discipline, he decided to try his fortunes in the
great republic beyond the seas. Accordingly, he took ship and landed at New
York city in 1861. He remained in the great metropolis for many years, but
had the "wanderlust"' and could not resist the temptation to travel from
place to place. Though a shoemaker by trade, be could not stick to the
"last," but dabbled more or less in other lines of business, including farm-
ing on a small scale. He was very industrious and energetic and made much
money, but he was of a generous disposition and found it hard to save up
much. Still he has a small farm in Williams county, Ohio, though he re-
sides in Toledo. His wife, Tracy Alacak, was born in 1830, and during
all these years shared the joys and sorrows of the man to whom she united
her fortunes more than half a century ago, her death occurring September
10, 1909. Of the nine children of this venerable couple, three died in in-
fancy, the survivors being Tena, John, Julia, Henry, Frank and Tracy.
Henry Macak, second to the youngest, was born in Pittsburg, Pennsyl-
vania. July 14, 1867. He was reared on a farm and obtained a fair elemen-
tary education as he grew up in the common schools, supplemented by a
short experience in the high school. March 15, 1888, when twenty^one
years old, Mr. Macak came to Tippecanoe county with fifty cents in his
pocket. He set to work without delay, holding down a job as section hand
on the Wabash railroad for five years. From that work he saved about
three hundred dollars, with which he embarked in farming. At present he
owns sixty-eight acres of good land in \Vashington township, and altogether
has been successful and prosperous in all his undertakings. Though a Demo-
crat in politics, he was elected assessor by a majority of eighty in a town-
ship usually giving somewhere around thirty-five Jlepublican. He served
four years in thiis office and was elected trustee of \Vashington township
for four years by a majority of sixty-one votes. These elections were an
unusual tribute to his popularity entirely aside from party considerations.
March 17. 1888, Mr. Macak married Margaret J. Amstutz. a native of
Pennsylvania, who died in 1900. The children were Tracv Mav and Clara
1046 PAST AND PRESENT
Belle, deceased; Isaac F., born January 17, 1890; Nellie Belle, born Alarch
I, 1892, and Guy Edward, born March 27, 1894. The last two named are
high school students. Mr. IMacak is a member of Transitville Lodge, No.
425, Free and Accepted Masons, and was secretary for two years.
ALVIN CORNELIUS BAKER.
It is not an easy task to describe adequately a man who lias led an
eminently active and useful life and who has attained a position of relative
distinction in the community with which his interests are allied. But biog-
raphy finds its most perfect justification, nevertheless, in the tracing and
recording of such a life history. The subject of this sketch has for many
years occupied a conspicuous place in local public afifairs and has been un-
usually successful in business affairs. He enjoys as wide an acquaintance
as probably any man in the county and the circle of his friends is as large
as that of his acquaintances. His long official relations with the community
have been eminently satisfactory and today few men enjoy to so large a
degree the universal esteem of the people.
Alvin C. Baker, who has continuously since young manhood been iden-
tified with the undertaking business at Dayton, is a native of this place, his
birth having occurred on the 17th of March, 1856. He is the son of Robert
and Mary Jane (Slaven) Baker, the former of whom was boiTi in Butler
county, Ohio, the son of William Baker. The latter brought his family to
Tippecanoe county in 1827 and in the same vear lie entered the first land east
of Wild Cat creek in Sheffield township. ■ He cleared the land. l)uilt a com-
fortable home for those days, and remained there until his death, twenty
years later. Robert Baker, the subject's father, went into the undertaking
business at Da}-ton, being the pioneer in this line of business here, and for
over a half century he was the principal funeral director in this section of
the county. He was public-spirited and took a keen interest in educational
matters, serA-ing efficiently as manager of the school board. In ix)litics he
was first a Whig, and later an ardent Republican. His religious connection
was with the L'nited Brethren church, of which body he was ;m ordained
preacher. His ministerial circuit was a. large one and his pastoral duties
fre(|uently kept him away from home for da)-s at a time. He was a man
of strong convictions and honest purpose and he enjoyed the respect of all
who knew him.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. IO47
Alvin Baker received a good education in the common schools and
early took a deep interest in his father's husiness, becoming a valued assistant
to him. On the completion of his schooling, he took an active part in the
business, of which he eventually became the sole proprietor. To better
qualify himself for his work, he attended and graduated from the Egyptian
Embalming School and the Indiana Embalming School. He early realized
that it was essential that he should keep closely in touch with the latest
advances in methods in his business and he has e\'ei- been a close student
of literature bearing on the preservation and Imndling of the dead. It has
been said that he now enjoys the widest practice in his line in the county,
his services being in demand all over this part of the state.
Mr. Baker has shown splendid business qualifications and has acquired
the ownership of two hundred and twenty-three acres of splendid farming
land in Sheffield and Wea townships, which has proven a wise investment.
He has shown good judgment in the handling of this property and keeps
everything on the place in first-class condition. He was also one of the or-
ganizers and is now a stockholder of the Mulberry National Bank, at ]\Iul-
berry. Indiana, one of the thriving financial institutions of Clinton county.
He is also an organizer and stockholder of the Tippecanoe Loan and Trust
Company and a stockholder and director of the Farmers and Traders' Bank,
both of Lafayette. As a further evidence of his standing as a man of siund
business qualifications and sterling honesty, it may be noted that almost con-
tinuously since attaining his majority Mr. Baker has served as adminis-
trator or guardian for from one to three estates, in every instance discharg-
ing his duties to the entire satisfaction of both court and beneficiaries.
In 1899 Judge Taylor appointed Mr. Baker a member of the county
council to represent the district composed of ^^'ashington. Perry. Sheffield
antl part of Lauramie townships. At the end of this term he was reappointed
and was subsequently twice elected to the position, each time without op-
position, thus serving eight years altogether, during four years of which
time he served as president of the board. In 1906 he was elected a member
of the board of county commissioners, taking his office on the first of Jan-
uary of the following year, and in the fall of 1908 he was re-elected to the
]X)sition for a term of three years. He takes a deep interest in the affairs of
the county and has given much attention especially to the improvement of the
public highways, particularly as to culverts and bridges. I\lany of the small
bridges and sluiceways, which characterized a number of the iniblic r./id^ and
whicli were continually rctpiiring repairs and attention. Irivc b^^tn replaced
by permanent concrete culverts, improving the highwavs in both appearance
1048 PAST AND PRESENT
and efficiency. The commissioners have also made some valuable and much-
needed improvements in the county jail. Mr. Baker has given considerable
time to public affairs, but his temperament is such that he will not be satis-
fied to be simply a public office-holder in name, but he has given to the county
the same careful attention to its business affairs as he does to his own per-
sonal interests.
Fraternally, Mr. Baker is a member of Dayton Lodge. Xo. 103, Free
and Accepted Masons, of which he has served as treasurer. He was also a
valued member of the building committee during the construction of the
new Masonic building. He is a charter member of Sheffield Lodge, No. 414,
Knights of Pythias, and has been honored with election to every office in the
lodge, including that of chancellor commander. ^Irs. Baker is a member of
the Order of the Eastern Star at Dayton and the Daughters of Pocahontas
at Lafayette.
On the 17th of March, 1887, Alvin C. Baker was united in mamage
with Allie Parks, daughter of Charles and Margaret (Burntridger) Parks,
and to this union have been bom four children, Dwight R., Russell P.,
Otto and Margaret. The family attend and support the Presbyterian church
at Dayton and are numbered among the most popular families of the com-
munity. In politics Mr. Bakei- is a stanch Republican.
A man of strong social instincts, Mr. Baker has won a host of warm
personal friends and his record during his life in this community has given
him an enviable standing. He gives a warm support to every movement
looking to the improvement of the community or county and is counted
among the county's leading citizens.
ANDREW BAUS^L\N.
Year has been added to year and decade to decade until the aggregate
of much more than half a centun,- has Iseen reached since the time when the
subject of this sketch came as a lad to Tippecanoe county, of which his father
was a pioneer. When the family took up their residence in Sheffield town-
ship this section was still in many respects a frontier region, awaiting the
awakening touch of the sturdy pioneers who would still further transform
its lands into rich and productive fanns and teautiful homes, establish vil-
lages, churches and schools and various commercial and industrial enter-
prises and thus continue the inceptive work of reclaiming the country for
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 1049
I
the uses of mankind. The natural advantages of this section attracted at
an early day a superior class of settlers — a thrifty, industrious, progressive
and law-abiding people, whose influence has given permanent direction to
the work of de\elopment and material advancement. Of this type was the
father of the subject of this sketch, who performed well his part in the de-
velopment of this section of the state of Indiana.
George Bausman was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, on the
20th of October, 1812, and was the son of John Bausman, a native of Ger-
many. He was reared on a fann and early became inured to the toil inci-
dent to farming in the early days. Upon attaining mature years he learned
the trade of carpentering, which he followed for twent}--one years. At the
age of twenty-onei years he removed to Ohio, locating in Greene count)-,
where he followed his trade and also farmed for a number of }'ears. In the
fall of 1850 he came to Sheffield township, Tippecanoe county, and pur-
chased a farm, after which he returned to Ohio and brought his family to
their new home, arriving here April i. 1851. The farm, which was located
in section 22, contained one hundred and fifty-one acres, and the only im-
provement contained thereon was a small log- cabin. In this rude home the
little family was installed and it was "home" in the fullest sense of the word.
In 1858 the family moved into the fine brick house which had been built, the
brick for which were all made and burned by the father and sons. Mr. Baus-
man added to his original holdings as he was able until eventually he owned
four hundred and twenty-two acres.
While living in Ohio, George Bausman married Catherine 3ilitman. a
daughter of Jacob Mitman. Her paternal grandfather ]\Iitman was born in
Germany and came to America in an early day, settling in Pennsylvania.
During the Revolutionary war he was captured by Hessian soldiers and
terribly tortured, both of his eyes being put out. Catherine Mitn-ian was
born in York county, Pennsylvania, in 181 5. and in her youth accompanied
her parents on tlieir removal to Ohio, where she met and married George
Bausman. The latter died January 15, 1871, his widow survi\dng him until
June II, 1877, and their remains lie in the Wyandott cemetery in this
township. They were members of the Lutheran church and took an acti\-e
part in its work, he being a member of the official board. In politics he was
a Republican and stood high in the esteem of his neighbors. To George and
Catherine Bausman were born the following children : Fiana, born Decem-
ber 23, 1841, died in May, 1851 ; Henry, bom April 5, 1843, lives at Frank-
fort. Indiana; Charles, born November 16, 1844, died April i, 1877;
Andrew, subject of this sketch; Mary, born July 12, 1849. became the wife
of ^^'illiam Cullom, and died in 1873: Catherine, bom July 8. 1850, was
1050 PAST AND PRESENT
the wife of Casper Roush, but is now deceased; Sarah Elizabeth, burn April
4, 1853, died September 11, 1853; Lily, born September 13. 1855, died Jan-
uary 23. 1856.
Andrew Bausman. whose name appears at the head of this sketch, was
born in Greene county, Ohio, on the 10th of August, 1846, arid in early
boyhood accompanied his parents on their remo\al to Sheffield township,
this county. He assisted his father on the farm during his youth and received
such an education as could be secured in the common schools of that day.
In 1882 he located on his present fami of one hundred and eighteen acres,
on \\hich he has made niany substantial improvements and which he has
developed into one of the most productive farms in this section of the county.
Mr. Bausman now owns a total of four hundred and four acres in Shefifield
township and also has one hundred and sixty acres in the state of Colorado.
He gives his attention to general farmir.g, with which he combines stock
raising, which he has found a very profitable department of farm work. He
is one of the best known farmers in this section of the countv, not onlv be-
cause of the fact that he has accumulated a fair amount of this world's
goods, but also because of the advanced and progressive methods adopted
in his operations. He keeps in close touch with advances in the science of
agriculture and is quick to adopt those ideas which appeal to him as being
the best.
In 1876 Mr. Bausman was married to ]\Iartha J. Crowden. who was
born in Sheffield township, and to them have been born the following chil-
dren : Charles, who married Minnie Edwards and resides in this township,
has three children, Emerson, Otis and Elsie: \\'illiam lives at Marion, In-
diana: Inda, who is the widow of Earl Peter, lives at home with her jiar-
ents, and has one child, Earlma; George Elliott, Robert and Faul are at
home. Mr. and Mrs. Bausman are members of the Presbvterian church at
Dayton and take an active part in the church work, ]Mr. Bausman served
as treasurer of the church for fifteen years and has served many years as
trustee and is also an elder. In politics he is Republican and takes a live
interest in current public events. He and his wife have a host of warm
personal friends and are held in high esteem by all.
ALFRED NEVIN SNODDY.
Back to stanch old German a.nd Scotch stock does Alfred N. Snoddy
trace his lineage, and that in his character abide those sterling qualities
which have ever marked the true types of these nations is manifest when
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. IO5I
we come to consider the more salient points in his Hfe history, which has
been marked by consecutive industry and invincible spirit, eventuating in his
securing a high place in the confidence and esteem of his fellowmen.
Adam Snoddy, the paternal great-grandfather of Alfred N., was a native
of bonnie Scotland, but came to America in an early day. His son John,
the subject's grandfather, was for many years a residenit of Shippensburg,
Pennsylvania, where he was successfully engaged in farming. Here he
passed the greater part of his life and died. During the war of the Revolu-
tion he toi k sides with the colonists and fought valiantly for their inde-
pendence. He married a, ^Nliss Johnson and they became the parents of four
children, namely: \\'illiam J., Benjamin. John and ]\Iary.
William J. Snoddy, father of Alfred X. Snoddy, was born in Shippens-
burg, Pennsylvania, February 7, 1792, and received as good an education
as was possible to secure in the schools of that early day. He was reared to
the life of a farmer and followed that occupation all his active days. In
young manhood he went to Butler county, Ohio, and there, in 1827, married
Mary B. Shrader, of Pennsylvania-Dutch stock, and who was born in \\'est-
moreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1801. They continued to reside in Butler
county until 1834, when the)- moved to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, locating
on land which he had entered in 1829. At the time of their removal, Mr.
Snoddy also entered three hundred and twenty acres more, this including the
land on which Alfred N. Snoddy now lives. This land Mr. Snoddy cleared
and improved, erecting a good set of farm buildings and otherwise putting
the place in good shape for successful farming, according to the standard
of that day. He acquired other land from time to time as he was able, until
eventually he owned a total of seven hundred acres.
William J. Snoddy was a m:in of strong intellect and because rif his pro-
gTessi\'e methods and upright life he commanded the respect ()f all who
knew liini. Politically he was a Democrat until 1836. when he became a
Know-Xothing, but still later joined the Republican party, of which he was
ever afterward a stanch supporter. He was prominent in public affairs and
in 1845 "^^'^^s elected a miember of the l>oard of countv commissioners, and
was twice re-elected to the office, a marked evidence of his popularitv and
the efficient manner in which he discharged the duties of the office. During
his first term of office, the second court house w:a.s erected, the details of
which were largely under his supervision. In 1855 Mr. Snoddy was elected
to the office of county surveyor. In 1847 he had been elected a member of
the lower house of the state legislature and served one term to the entire
satisfaction of his constituents. In religion he was a member of the Presbv-
1052 PAST AND PRESENT
terian church and gave to that bod}' an unreserved and hearty support, of-
ficiating as elder and contributing liberally of his means to the support of
the church anil the spread of the gospel. His first membership was with
the church at Lafayette and it was necessary for him to ride horseback from
his farm, but it is related that he missed but few meetings. William J.
Snoddy died in March, 1866, at the age of seventy-four years, and his re-
mains lie in the cemetery at Dayton.
Alfred Nevin Snoddy was born April 21, 1834, in Butler county, Ohio,
and the same year was brought by his parents to the new home in Tippecanoe
county. He first attended school under the instruction of his fnther, who
was one of the first teachers in the township. He subsecjuently entered Han-
over College, at Madison, Indiana, where he was graduated in 1855. The
year following his graduation his alma mater conferred upon him the de-
gree of Bachelor of Science. During 1856-7 the subject studied medicine
under the direction of Dr. Robert O'Ferrell, of Lafayette, and then matric-
ulated in the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, graduating in 1859 with
the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He then entered upon the active prac-
tice of his profession at Monroe, Indiana, in partnership wiith Dr. Moses
Baker, under the style of Baker & Snoddy. which relation existed for four
years. Then, on the death of his father, the Doctor relinquished his prac-
tice and returned to the home faiTn and took up the active management of
the same, to which he has since devoted himself. He has given up active
labor, being now practically retired, but he still keeps in close touch with
business affairs and under bis general oversight the property is kept up to
the high standard set by his father. He now owns personally two hundred
acres of the old place and has a very comfortable home, in which he takes
a justifiable pride. He has in his possession the original sheepskin patent
for the land, bearing the signature of Andre\\' Jackson, which has always
remained in possession of the family.
On July 13, 1859, Alfred Snoddy was united in marriage with Mar-
garet H. Seawright, a daughter of Hon. Wilson and Martha (Mitchell)
Seawright. Her grandfather. Samuel Ramsey Seawright, was one of the
fi.rst settlers in this part of the state and his remains now rest in beautiful
Oxford canetery. Mrs. Snoddy was a faithful member of the Presbyterian
church and was loved by all who knew her. Her death occurred in 1892.
To Mr. and Mrs. Snoddy were born the following children : William Wil-
son, born August 5, i860, is deceased: Samuel Alfred, born February' ti,
1862, resides at Lafayette; Charles Lewellyn, born June 7, 1865. lives at
Terre Haute, Indiana; Martha Bell, born April 6, 1868, at home; Anna Lyle,
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. IO53
iDorn June 8. 187J, died April 6, 1S76; Edith Elda. born Xovember 28,
1878, lives at Indianapolis.
In politics j\Ir. Snoddy is a stanch adherent of the Republican party
and takes a healthy interest in public affairs. His religious belief is in har-
mony with the creed of the Presbyterian church, of which he has been an
elder continuously since 1865. In every relation of life he has faithfully per-
formed his part and in his last years he is enjoying the confidence and high
regard of all who know him.
DAVID ELLIOTT.
The vicissitudes and conditions of pioneer life were not unknown to
the subject of this sketch, and, though he has marked the intervening years
with "ceaseless toil and endeavor," he has had the satisfaction of realizing
that his efforts have beeni crowned with success, since he stands todav as
one of the prominent and prosperous farmers of Tippecanoe county and
as one of its honored citizens.
David Elliott, who operates a fine farm of three hundred and eighty-
four acres in Sheffield township, Tippecanoe county, Indiana, was born in
this township on the 22d of September, 1844. He is a son of Robert and
Eliza (Roberts) Elliott, early pioneers of Tippecanoe county. Robert Elliott
was a native of Peny county, Pennsylvania, and was a son of Charles and
(Linn) Elliott. In 1829, shortly after their nnrriage. Robert El-
liott and wife came to Tippecanoe county and entered land, being atnong
that cour-'geous and sturd}- class who actually occupied the hnd before the
white man's axe had' been laid at the roots of the primeval trees. They were
recognized as persons of sterling cjualities and had a prominent part in the
development of the section in which they settled. Both died and are buried
in the Dayton cemetery. They were devoted members of the Presbyterian
church, in which Mr. Elliott was serving as an elder at the time of his death.
He was in politics at first an old-line Whig, but on the formation of the Re-
publican party he became identified therewith and was faithful in his al-
legiance. .\t the time of his death he was the owner of three hundred and
twenty acres of land, all of which he had cleared and developed from the
state of wilderness in wliich it was first found. Robert and Eliza Elliott
were the parents of the following children : Charles, who died in early youth ;
Marv, will! mrn-ried J. X. Fullinwider, is living near Crawfordsville, Mont-
I054 PAST AND PRESENT
g-oinery county, Indiana ; one that died in infancy, unnamed ; ilartha, de-
ceased ; Scott served three years in the Union amiy during the Civil war and
then re-enHsted in Company A, Fortieth Regimait Indiana Vokmteer In-
fantry, and was killed' in the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, Georgia, June
27. 1864. his remains being buried at Dayton; William H. died in 1861 ;
Da\id is the immediate subject of this sketch. Robert Elliott was twice
married, his second wife being Jane Wallace, \\ho is deceased. There were
no children cf this second union.
David Elliott spent his toyhood days under the parental roof and has
spent his entire life amid agricultural pursuits, in which he has achieved a
distinctive success. His education was confined to what could be obtained
in the schools of his boyhood days, which, in comparison with the schools
of the twentieth century, were lacking in facilities and methods. He has,
ho^^■e\■er, been a close reader and a keen obsen-er of men and events, and
is considered a well-informed man. He has made many peiTnanent and sub-
stantial improvements on his home place, net the least of which is a splendid
brick residence, modern in style and convenient in appointments. !Mr. Elliott
keeps in touch with every detail of the business and adopts modern methods
and means in his farming operations. His farm comprises three hundred
and eighty-four acres and is gienerally considered one of the best farms in
this section of Tippecanoe county.
In 1875 i\Ir. Elliott married Alice L. Ritchey, a daughter of John and
Alariah Ritchey, of Wea township, whose death occurred in 1906. She was
a member of the Spring Grove Presbyterian church and hers was a beau-
tiful character. 'Mv. Elliott is a member of the Spring Grove Presbyterian
church and takes a live interest in all the activities of that society, being
at present one of the elders. Because of his splendid (personal qualities, Mr.
Elrott is highly respected by all who know him. It is said of him that he
will at any time go out of his way or put himself to almost any inconvenience
to accommodate others. He has never been known to break his word and
he enjoys the full confidence of his associates.
WILBER A. COCHEL.
The services to agriculture rendered by Purdue University are known
only to the initiated. It is one of the great chain of colleges that grew out
of the !Morril law, of the sixties, which, bv donating funds for the establish-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. IO55
meiit of agricultural schools in the vari<ius states, hid the g-ruundwork tor
the progress of agricultural science which has heen so marked a feature of
our national development during the last forty years. In co-operation with
the great central department at Washington, Purdue and other schools of its
kind have been gradually introducing improvements of most vital interest
to all who till the ground and incidentally to even,' citizen of the country.
Agricultural science is taught in many departments, each equipped with a
competent corps of professors and all the mechanical appliances needful fnr
prosecuting the work. The brightest minds, the best trained men. the very
bone and sinew of the land, both physically and intellectually, are drawn on
for the experimental work essential to producing the best results and no school
of its class surpasses Purdue in the completeness, versatility and varied ac-
complishments of its faculty. Through Mr. Cochel we are introduced to
that branch of agricultural science known as animal husbandr}-. It em-
braces all the details that enter into improvement of the livestock of the coun-
try'. Best methods of breeding, natural and sexual selection as taught in the
books of evolution, the art of feeding so as to produce the best results, dis-
eases of animals and their cure — in fact ever\i:hing that leads to m?.king a
better hog, sheep, horse, steer or cow comes under the general head of
animal husbandry. A few biographical details concerning one of the young-
est men engaged in this important line of investigation at Purdue will prove
of interest to the general reader.
William H. and Charlotte (Calvin) Cochel. natives and residents for
a long time of Mahoning county, Ohio, eventually removed to Missouri. The
fonner was a farmer but carried on the business of a hardware and com-
mission merchant in connection with his agricultural labors. Wilber A.
Cochel, third in their family of nine children, was born at Tipton, Missouri,
August 7, 1877, and as he grew up learned something of the routine of fann
work by assisting his father at intervals. Meantime his academical education
progressed in the common schools, followed by a term in the high school,
from which he was graduated in the spring of 1893. Shortlv afterwards
he entered the University of Missouri and took the academic course, which
was terminated by a degree in 1897. Mr. Cochel's first bu.siness venture was
as a farmer and stock raiser, which he followed for five or six years, during
which time he obtained considerable practical knowledge concerning the
best methods of feeding stock for profit. Having acquired a fondness for
this pursuit and feeling that he had a natural inclination for this 1)usiness
he determined to equip himself for its successful prosecution. W'ith this
end in view, he matriculated in the agricultural department of the University
1056 PAST AND PRESENT
of Missouri, applied himself assiduously to mastering the principles under-
lying the care, selection, breeding and feeding of livestock, and in 1905, after
two years of hard study, he was made happy by receiving the degree of
Bachelor of Science. Almost immediately after his graduation, Mr. Cochel
was offered and accepted the position of assistant in that department of the
experiment station which deals especially with animal husbandry. At pres-
ent he is an associate professor in the department and ^is regarded as one
of Purdue's most promising young scientists. A \aluable part of his work-
is embraced in his lectures before farmers' institutes, where he gives those
interested the benefit of his knowledge, both theoretical and practical, in all
that relates to the handling of livestock.
Professor Cochel is a member of the American Breeders' Association,
the Indiana Live Stock Breeders' Association and is connected with the so-
ciety whose object is to study the science of animal nutrition. On the fra-
ternal and social side he- is a member of the Masonic order and of the Sigma
Xi college fraternity. October 1, 1908, Mr. Cochel married Miss Caroline,
daughter of Dr. T- W. and Mar\- (Noble) Fahnestock, of Lafayette. Per-
sonally, Mr. Cochel impresses his acquaintances as a fine type of the robust
American, capable of much hard labor, toth physical and intellectual, me-
thodical and studious in habit, an independent investigator, self-contained and
possessed of a reserved force which guarantees more than is promised.
WILLL\^I SAXFORD WASHBURX.
Xo farmer in Tippecanoe county carries on his work in all its diversified
lines with more careful discrimination and foresight that tends to definite
success than William Sanford Washburn, the present well-known trustee of
Perry township. He was born in Morgan county, Missouri. September 30.
1867, the son of Sidney A. and Amanda (Wilcoxson) Washburn, the for-
mer a native of Missouri and the latter of Hendricks county, Indiana. Sid-
ney .\. Washburn went to Missouri early in life and participated in the de-
velopment of the community where he settled. He got only a limited educa-
tion, for conditions were primitive in that country and he had to assist with
tiie work on the home place. His parents died there of cholera when he was
quite a young man. When he reached manhood he married and continued
t(i live on the old ^lissnuri homestead until 1874, in which year he moved
to Pittsfield. Illinois, where he died in 1877. He was a very industrious and
TIPPECANOE COUNTYj IND. IO57
honorable man.' His widow married again, her second husband being John
Meads. She died near Canton, Illinois, in 1880. To Mr. and Mrs. Sidney
A. Washburn six children were born, named as follows: Cora, deceased;
Mary married Marion Leek, of Warrensburg, Missouri; William Sanford,
of this review ; Roxie Alice married George Hudson and lives in Amo, In-
diana; Lulu married George Shepherd, who died in 1903; she died February
28, 1909; Evelyn died in childhood. The Washburn family is of Scotch-
Irish descent. Mrs. Sidney A. Washburn was a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church.
William S. Washburn attended the common schools at Hebron and
Stilesville, Indiana, receiving a fairly good education. After his mother's
death he went to live with an uncle. Prof. W. J. Wilcoxson, of Stilesville,
with whom he lived for fourteen years. The subject was able to secure a
good vocal and some instrumental training. In 1896 he went to Pulaski
county, Indiana, and rented land one season, after which he came to Tippe-
canoe county and rented land in , Tippecanoe township for three years.
The married life of Mr. Washburn began on December 8, 1898, when he
espoused Emma Johnson, who was born in Tippecanoe township, this county,
the daughter of Augustus and Anna (Johnson) Johnson, both natives of
Sweden, the former having come to Arnerica in 1855 and the latter in 1870.
He was first married to Martha Wolf, by which union three children were
born, William, Charles and Ida. He also had three children by his second
wife, namely: Mary, deceased; Emma, wife of Mr. Washburn; Ella, the
widow of D. Rohrabaugh, is living at Radnor, Indiana. Two children have
blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. William S. Washburn, namely : Frank,
born August 7, 1900, and Mabel, born February 11, 1903.
In 1899 Mr. Washburn located in Washington township, Tippecanoe
county, wiiere he remained fcur years and then bought one hundred nnd
thirty-nine acres in section 10, Perry township, where he now lives, which
was known as the Zimmerman place, which was entered from the govern-
ment by the Lisley family. One hundred and ten acres of this place are
under cultivation, and many valuable improvements have been made on the
place by its present owner, who is a progressive agriculturist in every sense
of the word, carrying on diversified farming, raising much grain and stock,
especially horses, cattle and hogs. He has a very attractively located home,
good barn and plenty of farming implements. He started in life without
money or influential friends to aid him, but he (has been a hard worker and
a good manager and has succeeded admirablv well and is among the leading
1058 PAST AND PRESENT
young farmers of Perry township. In politics he is a Republican, and, as
ahxady stated, is trustee of his township, the duties of which office he very
creditably fills. He is a strong temperance man. In his church relations he
belongs to the Christian church, while his wife has her membership in the
Methodist Episcopal.
LLEWELLYN V. LUDY.
George W. Ludy. fatlier of him whose name appears at the head of this
sketch, was a manufacturer of brick and tile, but after carrying on this busi-
ness for a number of years is now living in retirement. He married Martha
L. Wood and by this union there were two children, a son and a daughter.
The latter, Nina E. Ludy, received a special education at the Torre Haute
and Marion (Indiana) Normals, supplemented by a course in the Indianapolis
Uni\ersity, and is now a teacher in the public schools of Hartford City.
Llewellyn V. Ludy. the only son. was born at ^Nlill Grove, Indiana. Jan-
uary 26, 1875;. and received the usual routine education in tlie common and
graded schools of his native village. When he grew up strong enough he as-
sisted his father in the brick and tile yard and this employment continued un-
til the completion of his eighteenth year. In 1893 he entered Purdue L^niver-
sity and took a preparatory course, after the completion of which he became a
student in the department of mechanical engineering, finishing and grad-
uating with the class of 1898. receiving the degree of Bachelor of Science
and, two years later, the degree of Mechanical Engineering. He was en-
gaged at once by the University as assistant in the engineering and laboratory,
and ever since has been a prominent factor in this important branch. In due
time he was promoted to professor of mechanical engineering. The growth
of this department has been great and rapid since Professor Ludy's advent
and there are now associated with him seventeen professors and instructors.
Professor Ludy has gained favorable notice not only as a teacher but as
a lecturer and writer of books on scientific subjects. Three of liis contribu-
tions to the domain of applied science have attracted attentii n in the scientific
world. His discussion of principles of the ".\ir Brake" and liis two books
on "Locomotive Boilers and Engines" rank high among railn^ad men. His
papers contributed to scientific journals on "Tests of Automnhile'^." "Phys-
ical Tests of Cast Iron and Steel," and kin.dred subjects have marked him as
a master in his special field. He is a member of tlie American Society of
Mechanical Engineers, the Societv for the Pnimotirm of En<;ineering Educa-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. IO59
tion. the Indiana Academy of Sciences, and the Indiana Engineering So-
ciety. On the social side he is a Tau Beta Pi and a Sigma Xi of Purdue.
He is a member of the Presbyterian church and his pohtical convictions are
in line with those of the Republican party. Professor Ludy is popular with
all classes owing to his companionable disposition, easy address and genial
MICHAEL JOSEPH GOLDEN.
The Goldens represent Irish blood filtrated through Canada and into the
United States. Patrick E. Golden came from the old country during or
shortly before the Civil war and located in Canada, as a farmer, later be-
coming a locomotive engineer on one of the dominion railroads. He mar-
ried Helen Moran, also a native of Ireland, and reared a family of seven
children, of whom four survive.
Michael Joseph Golden, the only living son, was born at Stratford,
Canada, September 17, 1862, but went with his parents to Lawrence, Massa-
chusetts, when seven years of age. He obtained a fair education in the local
schools and when eighteen years old entered the School of Technolog}^ in
Boston, where he spent two years in mastering the elementary principles of
the mechanic arts. After this experience he obtained a position as book-
keeper with a large manufacturing firm at Lawrence and devoted four years
to this line of work. His technical education embraced a course in the
Massachusetts Institute from 1881 to 1883, in the Institute of Drawing at
Hyde Park, Massachusetts, the high school in 1883, and for completion of
the work in each of these institutions he holds a degree representing- his pro-
ficiency. In 1884 he came to Purdue University and began as an instructor
in the engineering department when its equipment was scant and crude and
only two others engaged in the work. These were Professor Goss, now of
Champaign, Illinois, and Lieutenant Stahl of the United States navy. The
machinei-y then in use was very meager and of inferior quality compared to
that now doing the work of the department. The equipment at present is
complete and of the most modern construction. Purdue being satisfied with
nothing less than the l^est. There are now twenty-two teachers, including
principals and assistants, and the entire skilled working force of instructors
and builders amounts to seventy-one men. Twenty-two of Professor Gold-
en's associates are experts in the trades with which their particular depart-
ment has to do. He himself is one of the most accomplished teachers of
I060 PAST AND PRESENT
practical mechanics to be found in any school of technolog>^ Not only has he
been thoroughly educated in the theory of applied mechanics in its various
branches, but he has added to the learning obtained from books the practical
experience to be obtained only from actually doing the work. Professor
Golden has held his present position as professor of practical mechanics at
Purdue ever since 1890. and during these many years has wrought magical
changes in this important branch of education at Lafayette's famous school.
Bright young men have been sent out annually to all parts of the country
thoroughly qualified to fill any and all positions in the mechanics arts taught
at Purdue. They are not immature theorists possessed of a smattering of
learning, but trained mechanics ready to take hold and go on with any work
in their line entrusted to them. In other words, they do not have to go
through a novitiate or apprenticeship, but are already accomplished journey-
men, fit to take charge either as an individual mechanic or as a superintendent
of ether workmen. This is the value of an education at Purdue and in none
of the many departments is it more strikingly demonstrated than in that pre-
sided over by Professor Golden.
Professor Golden believes in keeping abreast of the times and is up-to-
date in all the discoveries and improvements affecting his special line of work.
Hence we find him a member of the Indiana Academy of Sciences, the Amer-
ican Society of Mechanical Engineering, the Franklin Institute of Manual
Training for Teachers. He is also connected with the Association of Amer-
ican Society of Naval Academy and Architects and Mechanical Engineers.
Professor Golden was reared by Catholic parents and is a member of the
Knights of Columbus. He is a man of sunny disposition, of optimistic tem-
perament, a born student and investigator, never daunted by difficulties and
does his work not only wath ease but with an enthusiasm for it that is the
best guarantee of success.
WILLIAM S. CA?^IPBELL, M. D.
The son of good old sturdy American stock and of a father who was
the first white child born in Sugar Creek township, ^Montgomery county,
Indiana, Dr. William S. Campbell, of Lafayette, Indiana, Tippecanoe county,
came into the world blessed with enough grit and determination to succeed
in life. He was born July 13, 1857. and is a son of Martin and Emeline
(Cameron) Campbell. Charles Campbell, the grandfather, was also a pio-
neer citizen and a native of Ohio. He married Eliza Bowers, a native of
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. I061
Ross county, Ohio. These two emigrated to Montgomery county, Indiana,
where Charles Campbell entered land on the site where Colfax now stands.
The land was then heavily wooded, but it was partially cleared and after ten
years was sold. To the marriage were born the following children : Abra-
ham ; John, member of the Seventy-second Indiana Regiment, killed at Chick-
amauga; Elizabeth, dead; Susan, dead; Nancy, married Berry Revis. Airs.
Campbell married a second time and to this union two children were bom :
Charlotte, who lives in Nebraska, and James, who lives in Lafayette.
Martin Campbell was reared in Montgomery county, Indiana, and at-
tended the common schools of that period. He is a hale and vigorous
man and still survives, living at Clark's Hill at the age of eighty years. He
married Emeline Cameron, whose people came from Pennsylvania. To them
were born ten children, as follows : D. C. Campbell, a minister in the Dunk-
ard church; Dr. WiUiam S. ; Abner B., a farmer in California; Rose B., who
married Ben Harter, of Chicago; Xancy J., widow of E. AI. Wolfe, of
McDale, California; Susan D., wife of Osborn J. Storms, of California;
Robert M., physician of Lafayette, Indiana; Minen-a E., wife of J. G. Cook,
of Cahfornia.
William S. Campbell was born and reared on a farm in Tippecanoe
county. He received his education in the common schools until he was old
enough to engage in teaching, giving his attention to this for eight temis.
He later attended the State Normal School at Terre Haute, Indiana, and
then decided to enter a medicaJ school. He matriculated in Rush Medical
College of Chicago, in 1883, and graduated in 1885. Following his gradua-
tion he located at West Point, Indiana, and practiced his profession there for
twenty years. He removed to Lafayette in 1904 and has here continued
his life work. Doctor Campbell is also an extensive landowner and possesses
two hundred and fifty acres in Tippecanoe count}' and a quarter section in
California in what is known as the fnn't belt.
Doctor Campbell is the present health officer of Tippecanoe county and
for eight years was examining surgeon for the pension bureau. He has
always taken an active interest in politics, is a Republican and served as the
county chairman of his party for one term. He was married in 1879 to
Frances J. Storms, a native of Tippecanoe county. They are members of the
Methodist Episcopal church and are active in its work. Doctor Campbell is
a member of the Masonic order and a past chancellor in the Knights of
Pythias order. He has long been regarded as one of the leading citizens of
Lafayette and a man of sterling worth and character as well as a phvsician
of commanding prominence.
I062 PAST AND PRESENT
JA^IES EARL McCABE, M. D.
The countr>' physician, an institution of such importance in rural com-
munities, is well represented at Buck Creek, the capital of Washington town-
ship, by Dr. James E. McCabe. He comes of an excellent lineage, has had a
fine training and has, during lus residence of six years in his present location,
done much good work and \\x>n many friends. He is a son of Theodore
McCabe. who was born in Ross county. Ohio, in 1844. came west in e:iriy
manhood, settled in White county, Indiana, and has "made good" as a useful
citizen. At present he is a member of the board of commissioners of Tippe-
canoe county and an honored resident of West Lafayette. He married El-
nora Kyle, by whom he had eight children : James E. ; Alma, wife of Thomas
S. ]\IcKinnis. of Lafayette; Winnie P.. wife of George Glaze, of Dayton,
Indiana; Floyd C a graduate of Valparaiso College and druggist at Lafay-
ette; William T.. a teacher in the Tippecanoe county schools; Nettie j\Iay
and Harry \\'.. the latter a graduate of the West Lafayette high school and
a teacher in the schools of this county ; and June W.
James E. McCabe, the eldest of these children, was born in White coun-
ty, Indiana, December 22, 1874. As he grew up his experiences were entirely
rural, as he was reared on a farm and taught to do the work usually as-
signed to farm boys. He had ambitions, however, above being a drudge, or
"hired hand." and made the best of his chances while attending the district
schools. He graduated in the township high school, was for a while a
student at DePauw University and taught four terms of school in Tippecanoe
county. He had always had his eye on the medical profession as a calling
that would suit his tastes and at length the opportunity opened for beginning
his chosen career. In the fall of 1899 he entered the Eclectic ^ledical In-
stitute in Cincinnati, Ohio, and took a full four-years course, which was com-
pleted in the spring of 1903. The first location selected was at Green Hill,
in Warren county. Indiana, but in August, 1903. he came to Buck Creek, in
Tippecanoe county, and soon gave evidence that he had the facult}' of making
friends as well as securing patients. In six years he has built up a fine
practice, established himself in the confidence of the community, and is rapid-
ly reaching the time when he will be ranked as one of the county's lending
phvsicians. He possesses energy, talent, a good education, pleasing address
and other elements that enter into the acquisition of success in all tlie walks
of life. He is a member of the State Eclectic Medical Society and rm iniei-
ested student of medical progress wherever observable.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. IO63
In October. 1904, Doctor McCabe married Ella M. McQueen, daughter
of a farmer and a teacher in the Shelby to\raship schools of Tdppecanoe
county. Their only child, Theodore E., was born October 25, 1906. The
Doctor is a member of Transitville Lodge, No. 425, Free and Accepted
Masons, Buck Creek Lodge, No. 497, Knights of Pythias, and has been
through the chairs as well as a representative in the grand lodge of the latter.
His political affiliations are with the Republican party, but he has no taste
for what is called "practical politics" or any desire for office.
JOHN C. ECKHART.
The family of this name in Tippecanoe county originated in Germany.
Balsar Eckhart emigrated to the United States about the beginning of the
Civil war, made his way west and eventually located in Tippecanoe county
where he has lived ever since. After reaching thlis section he met and, in
1862, married Louisa Snyder, also a native of Germany, with whom he
located on a farm and has followed agricultural pursuits exclusively, [ohn
C. Eckhart, oldest of his ele\-en children, was born in Sheffield township,
Tippecanoe county, Lidiana, INLirch 21, 1863. As he grew up on the farm,
he exhibited a natural aptitude for learning and made a creditable record
in the district schools he attended. His ambition was to become 3 teacher
and with this end in view he entered the Central Normal College at Danville,
Indiana, in order to get the best possible instruction in pedagogics. Taking
the scientific course, he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science
and at the age of sixteen began teaching his first school, but meantime keep-
ing up his studies. After an extensive experience in the district schools,
mostly in Washington township, he at length reached tlie dignity of prin-
cipal of the Buck Creek schools, which important position he filled for nine
years. He also held the principalship of the schools at Colbuni for seven
years and gained the reputation of being one of the best educators of his
age in the state. Being elected trustee of the township in 1900, he served
until 1904, and during this time the Colburn high school building was erect-
ed, I\Ir. Eckhart superintending and taking great pride in its construction.
For many years he held a state license to teach and also has a high school
license. He is manager and principal owner of the J- C. Eckhnrt Teleplione
Company, which he organized in 1903, with Iieadquarters at Buck Creek.
1064 PAST AND PRESENT
In 1886 Mr. Eckhart married Julia E. Kunkel, of Missouri, and by this
union there have been three children, two sons and a daughter. Fred, torn
July 18, 1887, now with his fathers teleplione company, is a graduate of the
Buck Creek high school. Nellie, the only daughter, was born October 4,
1889, and Carl, the youngest son, was born October 4, 1891. Mr. Eckhart
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and takes great interest
in all of its affairs. He serves as one of the trustees and is superintendent of
the Sunday school. For fifteen years he served as chairman of Buck Creek
Memorial Association, and is a member of Lodge No. 497, Knights of
Pythias, having passed all the chairs and served as representative to the
grand lodge. In politics he is a Republican and a member of^ the county
central committee from Washington township. Mr. Eckhart has led an
active and useful life and has shown public spirit on all occasions and. is
deservedly esteemed as one of the township's most valuable citizens.
E. E. VAYOU.
The family of this name at Buck Creek boast of having Indian blood
in their veins and are as proud of it as the Virginians of being descended
from Pocahontas. Perhaps this accounts for their fighting qualities, as both
fatlier and son have honorable war records and have proven themselves pa-
triots of the first order. Francisco A'ayou served as a sccait for General
Scott, during the IMexican war and the traditions say he did good service.
At the beginning of the Civil war his military instincts again asserted them-
selves and he hastened to enlist in Tronp I. Second Xew York Cavalry, with
which he went through all the hot campaigns in Virginia, Maryland and
Pennsylvania. As he joined in Augitst, 1861, and was not discharged until
September 10, 1864, it will be seen that he devoted over three years to the
service of the country. He was with his regiment in many battles and nu-
merous skirmishes, during the arduous contests between the army of the
Union and the powerful forces under General Lee. Included in the list are
Rich Mountain, Winchester, Manassas, Antietam, Rappahannock Station,
Culpeper. Cedar Mountain, second battle of Bull Run, and Brnoklin ^lill.
He was wounded three or four times, but refused to give up and as soon as
recovered was at the front again. This old warrior married Mrs. Esther
(Daughty) Rexstraw, by whom he had two children, the eldest, named
Frankie. dying in childhood.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. I065
E. E. Vayou, the onlv son and survivor, was born at Buck Creek, In-
diana, September 2, 1877. He passed through the common schools with
much credit, receiving the highest grades in his respective classes. After
spending three years in the high school he was graduated in 1897 and soon
thereafter had a chance to display the talent for war characteristic of his
family. In 1898 he enlisted in Company A, Second Regiment United States
Infantry, with which command he saw the hardest service of the Spanish-
American war. They were sent to Tampa, Florida, from which port they
sailed for Cuba, on June 8th, reaching the scene of activities on the 23d and
24th. On July 1st the Second Regiment participated with credit in the
battle of San Juan Hill, the principal engagement of this war, and in this
sanguinary setto Mr. Vayou was shot through the hip. This necessitated a
trip to the hospital at Brooklyn, New York, where he remained for some
time, and was discharged on January 19. 1899, at Camp Shipp, Anniston, Ala-
bama. Returning to Buck Creek, he was appointed deputy postmaster, but
after senang three years he took the civil service examination for appoint-
ment in the rural free delivery department. In 1902 he was appointed car-
rier of route 21, Buck Creek, and has since filled this position. He is a
member of the Association of Spanish War Veterans, and gets fourteen dol-
lars a month pension for his injuries in Cuba. He belongs to Wabash Lodge.
No. II, Improved Order of Red Men, at Lafayette, and holds the Hay-
maker's degree. In politics, Mr. Vayou is a Republican, and has served for
several years as a meml>er of the county central committee from W^ashington
township.
BALSAR ECKHART.
A highly respected and eminently deserving representative of the Ger-
man element in Tippecanoe county, which is so greatlv indebted to this large
class of industrious foreign-born citizens, is Balsar Eckhart, whose birtli
occurred in Germany on March 12, 1837, the son of Lewis and Marv E.
(W^agoner) Eckhart. His parents never came to America, preferring to re-
main on their farm in the old country. They were the parents of eight
children, two of whom came to the United States, John and Balsar: the
former went to Wisconsin where he lived until his death, becoming a man
of considerable wealth, Balsar was educated in the schools of his native
country, working on his father's farm when not attending schnnl. conse-
quently he quite naturally chose farming as a profession. On ]\ray 14, i8t8,
he left his native country for the LTnited States, and in the following lulv
I066 PAST AND PRESENT
landed in Lafayette, Indiana, his total capital being ten dollars. He began
work in the harvest fields, hiring out on the farm by the month, working in
the crops during the smnmer and chopping wood in the winter time, and
making rails. He saved his money and soon had a foothold here.
Mr. Eckhart married Louisa Snyder, August i, 1862. She was a
native of Germany, having come to America when twelve years of age, with
her parents. To ]\Ir. and ]\Irs. Eckhart twelve children were born, among
which number were two pairs of twins. Seven of these children are living
at this writing, namely: John, William, G. G., Roman, Lucy, Rose and
May. The first three named became teachers of local prominence; G. G.
abandoned teaching and became a physician and surgeon, now engaged in
the practice at Marion, Indiana, where he has attained more than a local
reputation as a surgeon of great ability.
Balsar Eckhart's first wife died June 5. 1902, and on December 10,
1903. he was married to Mrs. Mary E. Hull, whose maiden name was Doctor.
She was born August 13. 1848, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Her father was
a native of Germany, while her mother was born near Fort Wayne. Indiana.
Mr. Eckhart has prospered by reason of his close application to his
chosen work, being known as one of the most progressive and painstaking
farmers in Washington township, having secured by reason of his excellent
management a very valuable farm of two hundred and thirty-four acres
which is under a high state of improvement, well stocked and on it stand
a modern and beautifully located dwelling, nicely furnished, and numerous
substantial outbuildings. Mrs. Eckhart is also the owner of a very valuable
tract of land, consisting of one hundred acres.
Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Eckhart are members of the Methodist Epis-
copal church, Mr. Eckhart being a steward and one of the trustees of the
same and he was for some time superintendent of the Sunday school. He
is a liberal supporter of the church and he and his estimable wife are inter-
ested in whatever tends to upbuild the moral or religious status of the com-
munity. In politics, Mr. Eckhart is a Republican. No family in this town-
ship is held in higher favor owing to the fact the Eckharts are known to be
scrupulously honest, public spirited, generous and obliging to all the deserving.
MICHAEL LEHNERT.
There are no more industrious or highly respected citizens in ^^'ashing-
ton township, Tippecanoe county, than Michael Lehnert and wife, the for-
mer a native of Prussia. Germanv. where he was born on the 6th dav of
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. IO67
January, 1S32, and at an early age he attended the schools of his( native
country, wliere he appHed himself in a most diligent manner and secured a
good education, which has since been broadened and deepened by general
reading, travel and contact with the world, so that his conversation is at
once interesting and instructive. His father was xeiy desirous that his son
Michael should learn a useful trade, but he and his wife could not agree as
to what it should be, ]Mrs. Lehnert proposing that he become a shoemaker,
and lie accordingly took up this line of work which he followed for a short
time. He then turned his attention to the production of wine and the coop-
erage business, a desire of his father. He learned to produce good wine
from grapes, the country where he was reared abounding in fine vineyards,
and he in due time became an expert at this, being able after three years'
training and practice to produce the very best brand of wine of this nature.
It being the custom of the German empire to compel all its young men who
were physically able to serve a number of years in the army upon reaching
the age of twenty, young Michael sought to avoid this, not caring to become
a soldier. Having at that time relatives in Lafayette, Indiana, he began
devising a plan to come to the United States, so on IVIarch 15, 1S52, he, with
three companions, embarked for the New World, landing in Xew York citv
May nth of the same year. Starting west at once, he arrived in Lafayette,
Indiana, on the 29th of that month, having a capital of about five dollars.
He was acquainted with Peter Dienhart, who had preceded him to this coun-
try from the same province in Germany, and in him Mr. Lehnert had a true
friend. The thing uppermost in the mind of the young Gennan was to find
employment whereby he could make a living and when he had looked over
the local field, he decided to begin the cabinetmaker's trade, securing em-
ployment in this line with James Roberts, who conducted a shop where the
government building is now located. Young Lehnert worked at this trade
for a period of three years for which he received one hundred and forty
dollars with board and washing, and at the expiration of the time stipulated
he was employed at the rate of one dollar anil twenty-five cents per day
and board. He became a very skilled workman, especially in the making of
tables, and continued with Mr. Roberts until the latter quit business.
Mr. I,ehnert was later employed by a ]\lr. Scudder in the same line of
business and worked for him nearly two years, obtaining his wages by
"piece work," finally becoming an expert and was able to command good
wages, and he also worked for Joseph Shehan nearly two vears. He then
went to Jefferson City, Missouri, where he remained a year and a half work-
ing at his trade. Owing to the arrival of a sister from the old countrv, he
I068 PAST AND PRESENT
returned to Lafayette to join her. He decided that he had mastered this
Hne of work and that he could do better by entering the business on his own
account, so he estabHshed a shop at Delphi, Indiana, buying the stock of
John Cullier, who agreed that he would never re-enter the business in Delphi,
but he failed to keep this promise, for in a short time he established another
sliop there in partnership with a friend, who conspired to force INIr. Lehnert
from the field, but the latter was made of sterner stuff than his two rivals
in trade had anticipated, and by close application to business he soon built
up a good trade, and after nearly forty years in the business found himself
in possession of a very comfortable competency, all of which had been hon-
estly earned.
Mr. Lehnert chose as his life companion Elizabeth Ruffing, a native of
Germany, being two years old when brought to the United States by her
parents. She has proven to be an excellent helpmeet all along life's uneven
road. To this marriage three children were born, namely: ]\Iary, who be-
came a noted musician, especially skilled on the piano and violin, whose un-
timely death in young womanhood brought profound sorrow to all who knew
her. Frank and Charles are the sons ; they- both seem to be the possessors of
unusual business ability, and are managing successfully the home farm, con-
sisting of three hundred and twenty acres, which is under a high state of
improvement and cultivation. Frank is married, but Charles has remained
single. Both received good educations. On this excellent place stand a
commodious, comfortable and pleasantly located dwelling and numerous
substantial outbuildings.
The Lehnerts are Catholics and faithful to the mother church, holding
their membership with the congregation at Delphi. In politics, they all sup-
port Democratic principles. They are money-makers and public spirited,
regarded as honest in all their dealings and they stand high in the business
and social circles of Washington township.
ADA^I W. ANDRE.
Before their marriage, Nicholas and Louisa ("Weber") Andre were both
natives of Rheinish Bavaria, and each was lirought to the United Stntes liy
their respective parents during the late twenties. They were married in New
York city, and in 1832 migrated tO' Pennsylvania, where thev spent some
time in Lehigh countv. In 1830 they settled in Franklin conntv. Tndinnn.
on fortv acres of land, wliich they farmed for many yeirs after the primiti\-e
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. IO69
metho Is of tlie days. In 1874 they again moved their residence, locating at
Connersville, Indiana, where they passed the rest of their Hves. Mary, the
youngest of their daughters, married John Miller, of Connersville. D. \V.,
a son, is a resident of Connersville, and Edward lives at Indianapolis. James
is a citizen of Tennessee. Louisa, who was the wife of Henry Young, is
deceased, as is also William. Charles and James live in Tennessee.
Adam W. Andre, the eldest of the family, was born in Lehigh county,
Pennsylvania, December 9, 1834, attended the common schools of his neigh-
borhood until sixteen years old, and then began to learn the cigarmaker's
trade. He followed this calling for thirty years in his native state and after
coming to Indiana, but eventually abandoned it to engage in farming and
other work. He has a- taste for politics and usually took an active part in
campaigns on the Democratic side. November 6, 1868, he was elected cor-
oner of Franklin county and served six years. At a later period he removed
to Tippecanoe county, secured a body of land and engaged extensively in
farming for many years, but feeling the need of rest he has lately retired
from active business. He owns eighty acres of land in Washington town-
ship. In 1900 he was elected justice of the peace and since has devoted
much of his time to the business of his office. He is well known over the coun-
ty as Squire Andre and has the reputation of making an unusually good mag-
istrate. He has tried many important cases, keeps well informed and is
much sought after in the making of deeds, drawing up mortgages and sol-
diers' vouchers and other duties of a justice. His decisions have always
been just and wise and when appeals were taken to higher courts he was
usually sustained both as to facts and the law. In fact. Squire Andre is a
man of superior judgment and good business qualifications, being in these
respects an improvement over the average justice of the peace.
May 10, i860, Mr. Andre married Mary A. Meckley, who was born in
Preble county, Ohio, in 1839. They have five children. lantha Indiana is
the wife of W. H. Anderson. Flora A. married Joseph Shultz, of Lafay-
ette. Lizzie Leora is the wife of Thomas Brown, of New York city. Syl-
vester M. lives in Chicago and Hattie is the wife of E. C. Bacon, of Boston,
Massachusetts.
M. M. GRAY.
Originating in Scotland with Nathaniel Gray, represented in Virginia
by ^liles Gray, descended from the first immigrant, other members of the
family eventually found their way to the west and founded the Tippecanoe
1070 PAST AXD PRESENT
county branch. Miles grew to manhood in his native state and married
a Miss Thornton, by whom he had four children, all now dead except J. M.
Gray, who resides at Delphi, Indiana. John M. Gray, another of his sons,
was bora in Wayne county, Indiana, in 1834, married Mary A. Huff in
Washington township, where he became a successful fanner and stockraiser,
with one hundred and twenty acres of land at the time of his death. He
had six children: Ida J., wife of Allen Fattic. of Henry county. Indiana;
W. P. B., a real estate dealer of Anderson, Indiana; D. M.. a farmer of
North Dakota; Alice E., wife of J. A. Orser. of Franklin. Indiana; M. M.
and Catherine E., the latter the wife of Charles E. Schnepp, of Carroll coun-
ty, Indiana.
M. M. Gray, fifth of this family, was born in Henry county, Indiana.
July 8, 1872, and when about nine years old came with his father to Carroll
county, where he worked on the farm and attended school during the winter
months. He continued his studies in the high school at Delphi, and when
twenty years old engaged in farming on rented land. He abandoned this
pursuit to take charge of a hardware store at Colburn for J. C. Eckhart. with
whom he remained two years. In 1901 he became a salesman for J. Crouch
& Son, the largest importers of Belgian, Percheron and German coach horses
in the United States. He travels in Canada and various parts of the United
States where stock of this kind is in demand, and does a large business for
the firm. J. Crouch & Son own five hundred and fifty acres of land on East
Union street, Lafayette, where they accommodate their large herd of thor-
oughbred horses and they have a national reputation as breeders. Air. Gray
has a country home near Colburn and here he spends three months in each
year as a dealer in buggies.
May 25, 1894, Mr. Gray married Effie Stair, who was the mother of
two children. His second wife was Anna R. Sprott, of Lafayette, by whom
there is no offspring. He is a memlier of Delphi Lodge, Xo. 80, Knights
of Pythias, and in politics is a Republican. He is a reliable and painstaking
business man, who enjoys the confidence of his employers as well as the
public generally. A good judge of livestock, none know better iheir strong
points and value, and it is his good judgment, cnmbined with industrv. that
has gained him his success as a salesman.
TAMES D. BALL
A checkered life was that of Gardner Ball, full of ups and downs, profits
and losses, misfortune and good fortune, — in fact, all the ha])penings char-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. IO7I
acteristic of men's lives as they go through this world of conflict. Born m
Ireland about 183^, he learned the trade of linen-weaving and when twenty
years old emigrated to the United States. He reached the West a raw and
inexperienced young man, traveled through Indiana to Perrysville, and when
he reached that point found himself "broke." He had good legs, however,
and used them to walk to Lafayette where he obtained employment with Tom
McComb as clerk in his grocery store. He remained three years and during
this time learned bookkeeping which enabled him to obtain employment m
the Rogers warehouse as combined clerk and bookkeeper. Later he en-
gaged as manager of a distillery at Lafayette owned by Peter Lamb, of Cm-
cinnati, and utilized his wages to pay for a third interest. All went well
until the establishment burned, when Mr. Ball lost all his savings. Xot dis-
couraged, however, he looked around for other employment and found it as
weighmaster for Rdliert Morey, proprietur of the Wabash elevators. After
working in this position for ten years he bought a third interest to be paid
for out of his salary and for a while prospered greatly, but another reverse
of fortune came and he lost all. His next service was with Armour & Com-
pany. Chicago, as accountant, and he remained with this firm for nineteen
years. As old age approached he decided to quit active business and is now
living in retirement in Chicngo. He was married in Belfast, Irehnd. to Susan
Dunlop. and has fi\-e children living.
James D. Ball, one of his snns, was born at Lafayette. Indiana, Decem-
ber j8, 1856, and obtained his education in the common schools and a com-
mercial college. He began working out for himself when about fifteen years
old, among his employments being that of traveling salesman, which he fol-
lowed for two years. He was also a grain buyer for Morey & Company, at
Colburn, for some time. For twenty-one years he conducted a general retail
store, beginning with a capital of two hundred and fifty dollars, but with the
assistance of his wife and boy and by much hard work and good management
he made a success of his business and eventually found himself well fixed
financially. He has long been regarded as one of the local leaders of the
Republican party, and served as member of the county central committee
from Washington township. In 1805 'i^ went into office as trustee of the
township and served six ^crs, during which time he built the Aniericus
school at a cost of four thousand dollars. In igoo he built the elevator at
Colljurn as manager of a stock company, and ranks as one of the commu-
nity's best business men. He owns two hundred acres of land adjoining the
Colburn corporation line, rides in a nice automobile and resides in a fine
brick residence, being at present retired from active business. November i.
1072 PAST AND PRESENT
1882, Mr. Ball married Nellie Obenchain, who was born in Buck Creek,
October 25, 1859, and taught for some time in the district schools. Their
only son, Raymond G., who w^as born in 1884, died in August, 1907, while
a member of the sophomore class at Purdue. His death was a great blow
to his parents and cast a shadow over their lives that can never be removed.
Mr. Ball is a member of Delphi Lodge, No. 80, Knights of Pythias, and also
of the Uniform Rank No. 86, at the same place.
THE STANFIELD FAMILY.
No family in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, has figured more prominently
in the annals of this part of the state or borne a better name for both honor
and industry. The numerous descendants of the old pioneers of this name
seem to take a delight in so ordering their lives as to keep untarnished the
escutcheon of their sterling forebears. \\'e first hear of John Sf-ifield. Sr..
who was born in North Carolina, August 10, 1796, the son of John and
Rachael (Slatker) Stanfield. They came to Jackson county, Indiana, as
early as 1816 when the country was a wilderness through which roamed the
savage and numerous species of wild beasts. He devoted his life to farm-
ing, and he married Catherine Cox, who was born in February, 1800. in
Knoxville, Tennessee, and to them thirteen children were born, namely :
William, Rachel, Oliver, Julia Ann, Jeremiah, John, Lydia, Samuel, Joel,
Carver, Catherine, Allen and William. Those living are Julia, in California ;
Lydia, in Iowa; Samuel, in Fowler, Indiana; Allen, in Ockley, Indiana. In
1829 John Stanfield came to Tippecanoe county. Indiana, and located in
Washington township on a farm of one hundred and ninety-six acres, w^hich
was W'ild and uncultivated. He was one of the first settlers in his neigh-
borhood. . He cleared his land and in time became well known throughout
the county. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in
politics was a Republican, at one time serving as trustee of his township.
John Stanfield, who married Catherine Cox, was a blacksmith by trade, which
he followed for many years. It was in 1827 that he entered land in Wash-
ington township. In 1829 he returned to his childhood home and brought
his family to this county. After living four years on his land here he sold
it and bought land in section 31, Washington township, where he developed
a good farm and had a comfortable home, in which he died in July, 1879,
his widow having followed him to the silent land in February, 1880. He
H^li^^l
PH
^^L/>9fl]
wKf\^mB^
SAMUEL B. STANFIELD AND FAMILY
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. I073
came to this county a poor man, having only enough money with which to
procure eighty acres of land which at that time required only a very small
sum. He added to this as he prospered until he had a farm of six hundred
acres. He was a Republican and a strong Union man, and a member of
the Methodist Episcopal church.
Allen Stanfield was born September 2, 1826, in Tippecanoe county, In-
diana. He was the son of John Stanfield, Sr., who married Catherine Cox.
He was educated in the home schools, having remained on the home farm
until he was twenty-two years of age when he went to Burlington, Indiana,
where he remained sixteen years. In 1879 he went to Washington town-
ship, Tippecanoe county, where he purchased three hundred and thirty-seven
acres of choice land. He was three times married, first to Hannah Dawson,
by whom he had five children, namely : Sarah, who married Enoch Hicken-
baugh, of Remington, Indiana ; Buna Vista married John Aper, of Lafayette ;
John J. lives at Battle Ground, Tippecanoe county; Francis M. is deceased;
William S. went into the United States army and was never again heard of.
Matilda Furgerson was the name of Allen Stanfield's second wife, whose
maiden name was Clevenger; two children were born of this union, Belle,
deceased, and Samuel B., whose life record will be given at length in follow-
ing paragraphs. Allen Stanfield's third wife was Mary Brown. He was a
good manager and careful worker, and in politics he was a Republican. In
1902 he moved to Ockley, Indiana, and he is now living retired.
Samuel B. Stanfield was born in Washington township, Tippecanoe
county, Indiana, April 8. 1875. He received his education in the home
schools and at Manchester, Indiana. When nine years of age his uncle,
Joel Stanfield, adopted him and he lived with his uncle until his marriage,
April 24, 1898, to Nora Bowyer, of Independence, Kansas, the daughter of
William and Elizabeth (Heft'ner) Bowyer, the former a native of Benton
county, Indiana, and the latter of Iroquois county, Illinois. William Bowyer,
the son of Isaac Bowyer, grew up and married in Benton county, and in
1869 he went to Kansas where he remained for a period of twenty years,
then returned to Indiana, locating at Ockley, Carroll county, where he lived
until 1908 when he located at Buck Creek, Tippecanoe county, this state,
where he still resides. He is a farmer and stockraiser, a Republican and a
member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In his family were seven chil-
dren, namely : Charles, a broker living in Kansas City, Missouri ; Henry,
who was a b.irber, is deceased ; Edward is a farmer in Washington township,
this county Fannie married John Ruckles and is living in Lafayette; Nellie
(68)
I074 PAST AND PRESENT
is deceased; Nora, wife of Samuel B. Stanfield; Fred, the youngest member
of the family, is deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Samuel B. Stanfield two chil-
dren have been born, Roscoe R., born October ii, 1900, and Olive L., born
October 3, 1902.
After his marriage Mr. Stanfield lived in W^ashington township on the
old homestead in section 31, where he remained until 1908, when he moved
to his present place in section 6, Perry township, which is part of the old
Stanfield property. He carries on general farming in such a way as to insure
a comfortable living from year to year. He delights in fine livestock, espe-
cially horses, and he is known throughout this locality as a breeder of im-
ported Belgian horses, being the owner of "Dezourise De Lovers," 3315;
29462, one of the best imported stallions in this country, weight two thou-
sand and one hundred pounds. He is chestnut in color, was foaled April 29,
1902, and was imported by J. Crouch & Son. Mr. Stanfield also owns two
imported mares, "Sarah De Voll," roan in color, No. 669; and "Comtesse
De Fayat," bay in color, No. 649. The fine farm of Mr. Stanfield is widely
known as "The Home of the Belgians." He has always been a farmer and
is known to be a very progressive one. Although a loyal Republican, he
has held no office, preferring to devote all his time to the management of
his extensive afifairs. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and in his
church relations he belongs to the United Brethren church. In his daily life
he maintains a strict integrity and is a worthy descendant of worthy
ancestors.
REV. E. PARKER COXRAD.
The Lutheran pastor at Colburn, though a young man and a newcomer,
has already "made good" not only with his parishioners but the populace
at large. He came highly recommended and by his work soon showed that
he was deserving of all the good words spoken for him. He is energetic,
resourceful, courteous to all and a friend-maker. Already his charges have
shown signs of improvement and in time there can be little doubt of greatly
increased membership and influence. Tippecanoe county is indebted to the
Old North state for this ministerial recruit, as his whole career was spent
in the south before coming to Indiana. Rev. E. Parker Conrad was born
in North Carolina, July 29, 1878, and thus will be seen to have hardly passed
his thirty-second year. He is a son of George W. and Mary (Leonard)
Conrad, who occupied a farm in the vicinity of Lexington. Here the future
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. IO75
minister was reared, learning all about farming as he grew up and attending
the district schools at intervals. In 1896 he became a student of Lenoir
College at Hickory, where he took the full course and was graduated in June,
1900, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. His first business venture was
as a teacher in the North Carolina schools, but this occupation was aband-
oned to make preparations for his career iii the ministry. Entering the Luth-
eran Seminary at Chicago, he went through a three-years course, which was
completed by graduation in the spring of 1904. In May of that year he was
ordained by the North Carolina synod of the Lutheran church and given
charge of a church of his denomination at Winston. He retained this pas-
torate until October, 1905, when he was transferred to the church at Col-
burn in Tippecanoe county, of which he has since had charge. Besides his
main charge he serves the churches of St. John's, Bethel, Pettit and St.
James at Darlington. Mr. Conrad has managed well, having succeeded in
increasing the membership while keeping the finances in good order.
May 27, 1908, Mr. Conrad married Myrtle Graeber, of China Grove,
North Carolina, whose birth occurred June 27, 1884. Mrs. Conrad is a lady
of unusual accomplishments, having taken a course in elocution and besides
ranks high socially, both in their original circle in North Carolina, as well
as in their new home in Indiana.
ROBERT HENRY WAGONER, M. D.
The family of this name in Washington township originated in Ger-
many, the founder being Joseph Wagoner, who was born in 1832, emigrated
to Carroll county, Indiana, where he located on a farm in Clay township,
and was engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in
1896. He prospered as a farmer and obtained prominence in his commu-
nity as a man of affairs. In religion he adhered to the tenets of the Dunkard
church and his political convictions were in line with those of the Repub-
lican party. In 1851 he was married in Carroll county to Susan Wagoner,
by whom he had nine children, all still living except Solomon, who died Oc-
tober 5, 1909, at the age of fifty-five years. Robert H. \\'agnner, one of the
four sons and the youngest of the family, was born in Carroll county. In-
diana, November 22, 1875, and as he grew up obtained an unusually good
education. After going through the grades in the district school, he became
a student at the Delphi high school, from which he went to the Danville
Normal School for a year's course and then spent two years at the State
10/6 PAST AND PRESENT
Xormal in Terre Haute. He taught for five years, but meantime had been
making his preparations for a course in medicine, which at an early age had
become his ambition. In 1898 he matriculated at the Indiana Medical Col-
lege at Indianapolis, where he took a full four-years course and was grad-
uated in 1903. In May of the same year he located at Colburn and has since
been in active practice at that place. He has prospered and gained not only
a fair share of this world's goods, but prominence and influence in his com-
munity. Always a Republican, he has figured as a local leader and is quite
popular with the voters. In 1908 he was elected trustee of Washington
township, and during his short incumbency has given satisfaction. The
schools of the township are consolidated at Colburn, Buck Creek and Amer-
icus. and the plan has proven popular, as it is more efficient and economical
than the old method of having so many scattered schools. Doctor Wagoner
is a member of the county, state and national medical societies, and stands
high in his profession. He belongs to Buck Creek Lodge, No. 497, Knights
of Pythias, and is active in the affairs of this popular fraternity.
July 30, 1903, Doctor Wagoner married Cora, daughter of Levi Jett,
and born at Columbus, Indiana, May 16, 1877. The only child of this union
is Helen, born June 21, 1906. The family occupy a handsome residence in
Colburn, where old-fashioned hospitality is dispensed to friends and all the
social amenities enjoyed to the limit.
WILLIA^I H. ANDERSON.
The name of Anderson was made famous at the inception of the Civil
war bv the heroic defender of Fort Sumter, the attack on whom by the re-
bellious Beauregard precipitated the most terrible conflict of modern times. A
nephew of the Major Anderson who was forced to surrender to overwhelm-
ing numbers, but kept his flag flying as long as possible, is the ancestor of
the family now so well known in Tippecanoe county. George W. Anderson,
a native of northwestern Ohio, married Caroline J. Peret. and some time
afterward decided to seek his fortunes in Indiana. It is recorded that he
arrived in Washington township, Tippecanoe county, October 15, 1866, fif-
teen minutes after eight P. M., in a downpour of rain, and located on a farm
not so well improved as we find it in these days of piping prosperity. In
1867 he went to Carroll county, where he resided three years, and then re-
turned to \\',nshington township, where he farmed for a while, and then
settled in Buck Creek, which was the place of his abide until his dcth. on
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. IO77
May 13, 1907. He owned fiftj'-seven acres of land, was a devout [Methodist,
a loyal Republican, and a patriot worthy of the name of Anderson. Of his
nine children, six survive: William H., Ira E., George S., Augustus S., Jo-
sephine and Jennie M. ' The mother is living at Buck Creek in the seventy-
eighth year of her age.
William H. Anderson, eldest of the surviving children, was born in
Hancock county, Indiana, March i, 1855. He had little chance for an
education as he grew up, but occasionally went to the district schools for
short terms, making up for lost time by attending grammar school when
nineteen years old. He had the true Anderson blood and even as a small
boy his heart leaped at the sound of the niM'tial music calling the patriots
to arms. When only eleven years of age he ran away from home and tried
to enlist as a drummer boy in the army, but was refused on account of his
youth. The experience of those stirring times, however, implanted in his
breast an undying love for "Old Glory" and he has ever since been a pas-
sionate upholder of the flag. When nineteen years of age he began the study
of medicine with his uncle. Dr. J. J'. Peret, but after three years' trial he
found the confinement would be fatal to his health, and decided to abandon
his ambition. For nearly three years he clerked in a grocery store at Lafa}--
ette, in the employment of R. C. Shockey, was foreman on the Wabash
railroad for some time, then a farmer, with an interest in the ele\'ator at Buck
Creek. He held the position of director and manager of this concern for
two years, during which time he put up the building. In 1893 he bought a
general store, bitt sold it in the summer of 1898 to go into business at Elston.
Remaining there until 1902, he again disposed of has interests, went to
Owen county and bought a farm, which he managed for a short time and
removed to Palestine, Illinois, and bought a general store at that place. In
the earlier months of 1904 he tried his hand at carpenter work, but in the
fall of that year purchased his present store at Colburn, was appointed post-
master January 23, 1905, and has held the ofifice since and now considers
himself anchored for life.
October 17, 1882, Mr. Anderson married lantha Indiana, daughter of
Squire A. W. Andre and a native of Franklin, Indiana. Mr. Anderson is
a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has been
a Sunday-school worker since his tenth year. He has served as superin-
tendent, organized the class and in every way shown himself an enthusiast in
the cause. He is a member of Transitville Masonic lodge and in politics has
for years been an enthusiastic worker in the Republican party. He owns
his store at Colburn, without incumbrance, and is popular both as a merchant
and postmaster.
1078 PAST AND PRESENT
JOHN P. KILE.
John P. Kile is an American by adoption, having been born in Worms,
Germany, February 8. 1840. the son of George and Elizabeth (Stein) Kile,
both natives of Germany, whose ancestors figured prominently in their re-
spective communities for many generations. John P. Kile is a member of
a family of eight children, five daughters and three sons; with the exception
of John P. and two sisters, who came to America, the family remained in the
Fatherland. They were all trades people, artisans of skill and known as
hard workers and successful. John P., as did also the rest of the family, at-
tended school in Germany, receiving a fairly good education. When fifteen
years of age he was seized with the wander spirit and his sister, Catherine,
having come to America in 1846. he was fascinated by the stories she wrote
home regarding our wonderful country. He left school and parental roof-
tree to come to her and see for himself what conditions were like in the
western republic. At a tender age he found himself in Lafayette, Indiana,
and. fortunate for both himself and the community, he elected to remain here,
eventually securing a good foothold and becoming prosperous. Catherine
Kile died in Kansas in 1899.
John P. Kile first found employment in the dry goods store of a very
estimable man, Giles F. Crary, with whom he was associated for many years,
finally, after he had ma.stered tliis line of business, becoming Mr. Crary's
partner, and for a period of thirty-three years ^Ir. Kile continued to serve
the. public in a very neatly-kept and well-stocked dry goods store on the
south side of the public square, where Loeb & Hene's place of business is
now located. During his long term of business as a merchant Mr. Kile won
a reputation throughout Tippecanoe county for fair dealing and his store
was always well patronized, and while he sold goods so as to realize a coxTI-
fortable income, a legitimate profit, an honest reward for his labors, he was
always desirous oi pleasing his customers and giving them a square deal.
Now in his declining years he is enjoying a well earned respite, with a clear
conscience, knowing that his life has been led along honorable lines and in a
manner that has brought harm to no one.
Mr. Kile was married in 1870 to Elizabeth Irvin Deardorf, a native of
Pennsylvania, and after a mutually happy wedded life of twenty-one years,
she was called to her rest on April 8, 1891. This union was without issue.
Mrs. Kile was a graduate of the old Presbyterian church school. She was
reared a Dunkard, but her parents finally became meml)ers of the Presby-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 1079
terian church. Mrs. Kile was a very industrious woman, both in the tields
and in lier home, and no small amount of her husband's success may be at-
tributed to her wise counsel and encouragement. She was highly educated,
refined, genial and a woman who was universally liked.
John P. Kile has been a stanch Republican all his life. He was reared
in the faith of the German Refonned church. He is a liberal giver to benevo-
lent work, and both church and the missionary cause has in him a worthy
advocate; Mr. Kile contributed the funds for the founding and constructing
of the Home Hospital in Lafayette, it being his desire that a Protestant
institution of this nature should be maintained. Further reference is made
to this worthy institution in Volume I of this work. Mr. Kile has found
time during his very busy life to travel, especially in Europe, with which
country he is familiar, and talks learnedly and interestingly of that country,
— in fact, he is a most genial companion, kind, generous, courteous and
broad-minded.
JOHN HARRISON SKINNER.
Dean of the school of agriculture in Purdue University was the high
honor bestowed upon one of Indiana's most eminent and useful teachers of
science as applied to the soil and its products. As agriculture is the most
important of all the industries and its development the basis of national
prosperity, it follows that those who teach it scientifically are benefactors
of the human race and the true evangels of progress. Too much praise,
therefore, cannot be given such men as Professor Skinner, who devote their
lives to the improvement and development of scientific agriculture. End-
less work, unwearying patience, vast knowledge, both theoretical and prac-
tical, skill accpiired by study and practice, besides natural adaptability, are
required to achieve success in the special department of applied science, ,
which is differentiated as animal husbandry, to which Professor Skinner
has devoted his time and energy. Only those who have followed his career
closely and kept in touch with his work could form an estimate of the value
of such a man, the lirief space allowed here admitting of only a skeleton
outline. It may. however, stimulate closer inquiry, and those who make it
will he amply rewarded by the rich store of knowledge afforded.
Professor Skinner's father, William Harrison Skinner, was a native of
Franklin county. Indiana, h.ut settled in Tippecanoe county in the sixties and
followed farming- as an occupation. In 1861 he enlisted in a company of
I080 PAST AND PRESENT
the Thirty-seventli Indiana Regiment and served three years. He is at
present H\-ing on his farm near Romney. where he has lived for thirty-fi\e
years. He married iNIary Alexander, a native of Greene county, Tennessee,
by whom he had fi\'e children, three sursiving-; Aviary A. Simison lives at
Romney; Gertrude B. Wray at Xew Richmond. Indiana; Jessie dying while
young; and George A. met death accidentally, at the age of forty-one. Aug-
ust. 1909, through contact with a live electric wire.
John Harrison Skinner, the other member of this family, was born at
Romney, in Tippecanoe county, March 10. 1874. After the usual routine
in the public schools he entered Purdue University in 1893 ^^^^ completed
the four-year course in 1897, with the degree of Bachelor of Science. For
two and a half years following he managed his father's grain and stock-
farm, after which he returned to Purdue and Ijcgan work in 1S99 as as-
sistant agriculturist in the experiment station, continuing until the fall of
1901, when he went to the University of Illinois as instructor in animal
husbandry for a year. Returning to Purdue, he was made associate pro-
fessor of animal husbandry, then professor of animal husbandry, and later
promoted to dean of the school of agriculture in 1907. He is a member
of the American Breeders" Association, the Society for the Promotion of
Agricultural Science and secretary of the Indiana Live Stock Breeders' As-
sociation.
September 3, 1903, Professor Skinner married Mary E.. daughter of
Edwin W. and Anna (\\'ebster) Throckmorton, of Romney. They have
two children. John Harrison, Jr., born January 20. 1906. and Mary Eliza-
beth, born July 17, 1908. Mr. Skinner is a member of the Methodist church
and is a Master Mason, belonging to Romney Lodge. Xo. 441, and L'''rbana
Chapter, No. 80, Royal Arch Masons.
The following is a statement of degrees conferred, professional career,
research work, publications, etc. :
Degree ; Bachelor of Science, Purdue L'niversity. agricultural depart-
ment. 1897.
Professional Experience: Assistant agriculturist Purdue experiment
station. 1899-1901 ; instructor of animal husbandry. L'niversity of Illinois,
1901-1902; associate professor of animal husbandry. Purdue " University,
1902-1906; professor of animal husbandry, Purdue University, 1906-1910;
dean of the school of agriculture. Purdue L'niversity. 1907-1910; lecturer
in Indiana Farmers' Institute. 1902-1910; expert judge of Cheviot sheep.
St. Louis Louisiana Purchase Exposition. 1904; expert judge of Rambouillet
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. IO81
sheep. International Livestock Show, 1906 and 1907: expert judge of Aber-
deen Angus cattle, International Livestock Show, 1907.
Honors conferred: Captain in Purdue Cadet Corps, 1896 and 1897;
secretary Indiana Livestock Breeders' Association ; member American Breed-
ers' Association.
Research Work: 1903, 1904, 1905, study of pork production, involv-
ing various breeds of hogs, including bacon types; 1902-1908. study of the
value of soy beans on pork production; 1905-1906, relative value of protein
in roughage and concentrates for fattening cattle ; methods of utilization of corn
and by-products ; study of linseed meal and tankage as supplements to corn
in pork production; 1906-1909, a study of the influence of age. length of
feeding period and the use of silage on the efficiency of the ration and the
profits in feeding beef cattle; comparative value of nitrogenous concentrates
as supplements in steer feeding; the influence of different nutritive rations on
the efficiency of rations in pork production; 1908 and 1909, a study of
maintenance ration for brood sows ; a study of maintenance ration for grow-
ing pigs ; a study of maintenance ration for breeding ewes ; a study of forage
crops in pork production; a study of skimmilk as a feed for pigs; a study of
the comparison of hominy meal and corn meal for pigs.
Publications : Thirteenth annual report of the Indiana Agricultural Ex-
periment Station, published 1900, pages 89, 90, 91, "Sowing Clovers at
Dift'erent Dates," pp. 92, 93, 94, "Forage Crops" ; Bulletin No. 88, vol. II,
Purdue Experiment Station, March, 1901, "Systems of Cropping With and
Without Fertilization," in co-operation with Prof. W. C. Latta; Bulletin No.
108, Purdue Experiment Station, July, 1905, "Soy Beans, Middlings and
Silage as Supplemental Feeds in Pork Production;" Bulletin No. 115, Pur-
due Experiment Station, December, 1906, "Steer Feeding;" Bulletin No.
129, Purdue Experiment Station, 1908, "Steer Feeding;" Bulletin No. 130,
Purdue Experiment Station, 1908, "Results of Short vs. Long Feeding
Period;" Circular No. 8, Purdue Experiment Station, October, 1907, "Beef
Production;" Circular No. 12, Purdue Experiment Station, 1908, "Methods
of Beef Production in Indiana;" Circular No. 14, Purdue Experiment Sta-
tion, 1908, "Factors Influencing the Value and Cost of Feeders." The bul-
letins published from 1906 to 1909 have been gotten out jointly with W. A.
Cochel, associate in animal husbandry.
Numerous articles have been contributed to the Breeders' Gazette, pub-
lished by Sanders Publishing Company, Chicago, and other Indiana agri-
cultural papers. Annual reports of the Indiana Livestock Breeders' Associa-
tion from its organization to the present time have been published in the an-
I082 PAST AND PRESENT
nual reports of the Indiana state Imard of agriculture, beginning with report
for 1903, Vol. 45.
Addresses: Addresses ha\e Ijeen delivered before the American As-
sociation of Farmers' Institute Workers (published in the proceedings of the
eleventh annual meeting of American Association of Farmers' Institute
Workers), Illinois Livestock Breeders' Association, Nebraska Livestock
Breeders' Association. Ohio Livestock Breeders' Association. Indiana State
Board of Agriculture. Indiana Swine Breeders, ■ Indiana Shorthorn Breed-
ers, Indiana Hereford Breeders, Indiana Corn Growers, and county farmers'
institutes in many counties in Indiana. Several of these addresses have been
published in reports of the Indiana state board of agriculture.
EDWARD EL-MORE BAKER.
The agricultural interests of Tippecanoe county have no better repre-
sentatives than its native-born citizens, many of whom are classed among
its most practical, enterprising and successful farmers. One of the num-
ber is Air. Baker, who is one of the prominent citizens of Sheffield town-
ship. Reared to a farming life, he has so applied his energies and ability
as to attain a success worthy the name, while his present high standing in
the community"' indicates the appreciation of his sterling character.
Edward E. Baker, who resides on a fine and productive farm located a
half mile south of Dayton, was born in Perry township, this county, on
January 18, 1867, and is a son of Clark L. and Martha Ann (Fickle) Baker.
Clark L. Baker was born in Butler county, Ohio, November i, 1835, and
was a son of Ephraim J. and Rebecca (Hawthorne) Baker, who were mar-
ried on December 24, 1834. Rebecca Hawthfirne was a native of Warren
county, Ohio, and was a daughter of Francis and Nancv Hawthorne, natives
of Ireland. Ephraim J. Baker's father was Ephraim Baker, a native of
New Jersey and of English and German descent. Ephraim J. Baker came
with his parents to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, in 1854, and located in
Wabash township, where he resided iijitil his death, which occurred on June
II, 1872. He was born July 6, 1810, in Butler county, Ohio, and he was
a faithful member of the Baptist church, as was also his wife. Rebecca
Hawthorne was of Scotch descent, her ancestors having left their native
land because of religious troubles. Of the children burn to this worthy
couple, the subject's father, Clark L., was the eldest. When nineteen years
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. I083
of age he accompanied his parents to Tippecanoe county and renriined with
them until he was twenty-three years old. He started life a poor boy, and,
without the aid of wealth or influence, forged his way ahead and eventually
became a well-to-do and influential citizen of the county, owning at the time
of his death four hundred and thirty-five acres of as good land as could be
found in this section. He resided on the one farm from 1859 up to the time
of his death, which 1 ccurred August 28, 1892. He was prominent in the
public affairs of his county and in 1878 was a representative to the state
legislature, and to him belongs the distinction of having been the only Demo-
crat ever sent to the legislature from Tippecanoe county. He also served
several terms as trustee of Perry township. He and his wife were members
of the Mt. Hope United Presbyterian church in Clinton county, of which
he was an elder, and when this church society was dissolved they joined the
Presbyterian church at Dayton, of which he was an elder for the long period
of twenty-one years. These parents are buried in the Oxford cemetery in
Perrv township. On August '26, 1858, Clark L. Baker married ]\Iartha
Ann Fickle, and to them were born ten children, of whom only two grew
to mature years, Edward E., subject of this sketch, and Nancy ^Nlarilla, the
wife of S. P. Newhard, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. The
death of Martha A. (Fickle) Baker occurred on November 12, 1881. Clark
L. Baker was a man of sterling qualities of character and always stood for
the highest interests of the community. He enjoyed the confidence of all
who knew him, and his death was generally regretted throughout the com-
munity.
Edward E. Baker received his education in the pulilic schools of his
home community. He lived with his father until the latter's death, at which
time he bnught the home farm of two hundred acres, which he operated
until i()04. when he moved to his present farm. This place comprises one
hundred and seven acres, to which the subject gives the closest attention, as
he does also to the old home farm, which he still owns. He is progressive
in his farming methods, keeping abreast the times in the latest advances in
the science of agriculture, and hence he has been enabled to make a hanil-
snme profit from his land.
Politically, ^Ir. Baker is a stanch Democrat and takes a live interest
in political matters, though he is not in any sense an aspirant for public
office. In his fraternal relations, he is a member of Daytnn L'xlgc. Xo. 103,
Free alnd .\ccepted ^lasons. and is also a member of the Dayton chapter.
Order of the I-Lastcrn Star, of which ]\Irs. Baker was one nf the charter mem-
bers.
1084 PAST AND PRESENT
On the 26th of October, 1892, ]Mr. Baker married Amelia Hildebrandt,
who was born in White county, Indiana, the daughter of August and Cath-
erine (Myer) Hildebrandt. Her parents were both natives of Germany
and married after they had separately emigrated to this country. At one
time he owned part of the land where the Purdue University buildings now
stand. To Mr. and Mrs. Baker have been brirn the following children :
Ethel Katherine, Clark L. and Natalia Edith, all at home. ]Mr. and ]Mrs.
Baker are among the popular members of the social circles of their com-
munity, and their latchstring ever hangs outward, their pleasant home being
frequently the scene of social gatherings. Mr. and Mrs. Baker are members
of the Dayton Presbyterian church, ]\Ir. Baker having been an elder in same
for the past fifteen years.
THOMAS ELLIS.
Tippecanoe county is characterized by her full share of the pioneer ele-
ment who have done so much for the development of the county and the
establishment of the institutions of civilization in this fertile and well-fa-
vored section. The biographical sketches in this volume are largely of this
class of useful citizens and it is not in the least too early to record in print
the principal items in the lives of these hard-working and honest people,
giving honor to whom honor is due. They will soon be gone and the past
can have no better history or memento than these records. Among these
early pioneers of this county none had a greater part in its development than
Thomas Ellis, whose death occurred many years ago, but who during his
active years here was conspicuous because of his activity and the progressive
and enterprising spirit displayed by him in local public a,fTfairs. No family
stood higher in local public esteem, and the same may indeed be said of the
present representatives of the family.
Thomas Ellis, who for many years was one of the most highly esteemed
residents of Lauramie township, was born in Maryland on the 19th of Feb-
ruary. 1792, and was the son of Rowland and Frances Ellis. Rowland
Ellis was a valiant soldier for the colonies in the war of the Revolution. On
January 22, 1818, Thomas Ellis married Elizabeth Stoner, their marriage
taking place in Ohio, whither the former had gone in young manhood.
Elizabeth was a daughter of Isaac and Barbara Stoner and was born March
31, 1796, of sturdy Pennsylvania-Dutch stock. When Mr. Ellis first went
to Ohio he entered one hundred and sixtv acres of land located in what is
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. I085
now the heart of Cincinnati. On leaving his Maryland home he built a
flatboat and tloated down the jMonongahela river to Pittsburg, thence down
the Ohio to his new home. He was a cooper by trade, which occupation he
followed together with farming operations, while at the same time his wife
was an adept in making horse-hair sieves, for which she found a ready sale.
After residing at this location for a time, Mr. Ellis sold his farm and moved
to the \icinity of Columbus, Ohio, where he entered land and remained until
1828. In that year l;e came to Lauramie township, Tippecanoe. countv. and
entered one hundred and sixty acres of land, a part of this land being now
ovvued by his grandson, Thi mns P. Ellis. Here he first built a log cabin, the
common hsibitation of those days, and then went to work to clear the land
and render it fit for cultivation. On the place were two splendid springs
of water, near which were favorite camping grounds of the Indians. One
day, while walking through the \\oods on other land nearby, he discovered
another fine spring, the water of which v.-as heavily saturated with sulphur,
and, though the ground appeired to be practically worthless, he recognized
the value oi the spring. Soon afterwards he overheard a man say that he
was going to enter this land. J^lounting his horse, Mr. Ellis at once made
a hurried ride to Crawf( rdsville and entered the land, eighty acres, which is
now owned by another grandson, Reuben W. Ellis. By good management
and a wise economy, Mr. Ellis became a well-to-do man, was widely known
throughout the country and highly respected by all who knew him. He was
a man of many fine personal qualities and had a well-earned reputation for
honorable dealing, ^\'hile a member of no church, he was nevertheless a
believer in the creed of the Quakers, his wife being a Dunkard, as were the
other members oi her family. Mr. Ellis eventually settled on the eighty-acre
tract he last entered and there he spent the remainder of his days. The old
log cabin that he built in 1831 and the barn built the following vear are still
standing and aire prized relics of the old pioneer days. The death of this
honored old pioneer occurred on July 30, 1861, and that of his wife on
March 4, 1874, and their remains now rest in the Concord cemetery.
Thomas and Elizabeth Ellis became the parents of the following chil-
dren: John J., born July 18, 1819; Mahala, who was born Augiist 4. 1820,
married Joseph Fowler on August 2t,. 1838, and her death occurred July 13,
1862; Joseph, born September 16, 182 1. died December 10, 1876; Hannah,
born March 9, 1823, married Elisha F. O'Neall on June 7, 1840, and is now
deceased; Mary Magdalena, born August 11. 1824, married Richard Gladden'
October 31, 1841, and her death occurred on December 10, 1845: Frances,
born September 25, 1826, married Richard Gladden on November 8. 1846,
I086 PAST AND PRESENT
and her death occurred on October 4, 1877; Sarah, who was born August
14, 1828, married Solomon B. Russell ^March 25, 1847; he died April 21,
1847. and on July 9, 1848, she married Thomas H. O'Neall ; she is now
deceased; James, born December 20, 1830, died June 8, 1859; Barbara Ann,
born September 13, 1832, married William Gladden, whose sketch appears
elsewhere in this work: Eliza .\nn. born August 9, 1S34. married Morris
Peak on November 15. igoi ; Xancy Ann. born April 2, 1837, married Moses
Hanger and is now deceased; Elizabeth. Ixirn July 5. 1838. died March 9,
1862^.
John J. Ellis, eldest son of Thomas and Elizabeth Ellis, was born in
Ohio and received as good an education as was possible to secure in the
common schools of that day. He assisted his father in clearing the various
farms which he owned from time to time. He taught several terms of school
in the old log school house which was located on his father's farm. Event-
ually, when the posloffice was established at Stockwell. he became a clerk in
the office and the store in which it was located and which was owned by
Reuben Baker. He was married, February 9. 1862. to Harriet Lambkin.
The latter was born in county Kent, England. May 3, 1835, a daughter of
\\'illiam a^nd Rachael Lambkin. She died June 14. 1878, while her husband
survived her a number of years, dying on November 18, 1894. After their
marriage, John and Harriet Ellis moved onto the old home farm, where they
spent the remainder of their days. Mr. Ellis was a stanch Republican in
politics. They were the parents of the following childien: Mary Alice,
born November 8, 1S62, married Ennis Coe ^larch 5, 1884, and they now
reside at Stcckwell; IMartha Kate, born November 20. 1864, married John
W. Skinner September 4. 1894, and they live at Stockwell; Reuben Wade,
hern June 2t,, 1867: a daughter, born December 29, 1868, died in infancy;
William Jerome, Isorn February 2/. 1890. resides at Stockwell; Florence
May.
Reuben Wade Elks, the third child born to John and Harriet Ellis, was
born, reared and educated in Lauramie township, and has always lived on
th.e old home farm, being the third generation of the family to occupy the
jikce. He was married November 20. 1895, to Rose A. Nalley. a native of
Lafnette, Indiana. To this union have been born the following children :
Harriet Marie, born January 21, 1897; Helen, born December 14, 1903;
Florence Mildred, born June 21, 1906; Mary Etta and Martha Evelyn, twins,
born April 23, 1908. In politics Mr. Ellis is a Republican and takes a com-
mendable interest in public affairs, though not a seeker after public office.
He gives his attention to general farming, and the present fine condition of
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 10^/
his premises indicate tlieir owner ti> be a man of good judgmenl and wise
discrimination. In addition to farming. Air. Ellis also gives ci nsiderable
attention to the handling of real estate, in which he has been successful. He
is a man of si)lendid qualifications and enjoys the confidence and esteem of
all who know him.
B. F. FOTTERALL.
A man of wide business experience and unusua.l endowments in the
world of commerce, in which he \\ as long a very active and influential factor
in the city of Laf.iyette and se\-eral other localities, was B. F. Fotterall. a
man who won the admiration of all with whom lie came in contact for his
high .sense of honor, his straightforward dealing with his fellowmen and
his loyalty to home industries, and, although he has long since joined the
great majority in the charnel house of destiny, he is well remembered and
highly revered by a large circle of friends in this vicinity.
B. F. Fotterall was born in New York city July 31, 1825. His father
dying when he w'as but a child, the responsibilities of life weighed upon his
shoulders earlier than they should have done, but he was a lad of much
grit and determination, and set out to make his own way in the great, cruel
W'Orld, and it is useless to add that he succeeded admirably well. His mother,
Ann C. (Letts) Fotterall, was also a native of the New England states,
B. F. being her only child. When a young man he left New York city, be-
lieving that greater opportunities existed for him in the newer West than
in the great metropolis. Finally making his way to Vicksburg, Mississippi,
he there engaiged in business. Returning to New York, he remained in his
native city until the breaking out of the Civil war, when he again penetrated
to the heart of the continent, this time locating at Dubuque, Iowa, in 1859,
in which city he remained successfully engaged in business until 1870, wlien
he removed to St. Louis, Missouri. There he remained a short time, then
came to Lafayette, Indiana, where he began the manufacture of boots and
shoes with the firm of A. G. Carney & Company. He acted in the capacity
of a salesman for a short time, during wdiich he succeeded in increasing the
sales and prestige of the firm, then he went into business for himself, taking
in a Mr. Parker and a Mr. Brown, the firm being known as Fotterall, Parker
& Brown. They did a large business, largely due to the efficient management
of Mr. Fotterall.
lOeS PAST AND PRESENT
After a life of unusual activity and usefulness, B. F. Fotterall was called
from his earthly labors July 21. 1893, leaving a neat competency to his faith-
ful life companion, whom he married September 14. 1859, in Xenia, Ohio.
To this union five children were born, all of whom died in infancy.
The father of ^Irs. Emily Fotterall, Nicholas , was Ijorn in Wor-
cester. Massachusetts. Her mother, Clarisse Kinney, was born in Glanton-
bury, Connecticut. Airs. Emily Fotteraill was born in Homer, Xew ^'ork,
July 21, 1837, the youngest member of a family of thirteen children, and of
this number she is the only one now living. Her mother lived to see ten
of her children grow to maturity and marry. The mother of Mrs. Fotterall
died at the age of seventy-four years and her father passed awav at seventv-
five years of age.
ilrs. Emily P'otterall is a faithful member of the Second Presbvterian
church, with which she has been identified for the past forty-nine years.
yir. bVitterall was a Knight Templar !\Iason. as was ]\Irs. FutteralFs father
and all her brothers. Mrs. Fotterall is a member of the Order of the Eastern
Star. Her home ait Xo. 806 South street is always neatly kept and cozv,
n place where her many friends delight to while the hours away, for there
they always find hospitality and good cheer, for Mrs. Fotterall is an ideal
hostess, being unusually alert both mentally and physically, and she is ready
at repartee and interesting conversation. She is of an optimistic turn of
mind as well as happy in disposition.
JOSEPH MADDEX.
It is eminently proper to mention in this work the name of Joseph Glad-
den, whose splendid collection of Indian relics and early implements and
weapons is now on e.xhibition at the Washington school. Lafayette. Joseph
Gladden was born in Pennsylvania, October 31. 1837, and in his boyhood he
lived in the family of John Levering at Bryn ]Mawr. In 1849 'i^ removed
from Pennsylvania to Lockland. Ohio, and in 1850 he came with John Lev-
ering to the latter's farm, one mile and a half northeast of Romney. \Mien
the Civil war broke out he enlisted and became quartermaster sergeant of
the Fortieth Indiana Regiment, remaining as such until the war closed. He
began the collection of Indian relics and other curios soon after he came to
Indiana, and for more than fifty years he kept adding to his collection, until
it probably became the finest one in the state, especially of Indian arrow
cZ-^^Ayi uj/cc^(fi(^'^ —
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. IO«g
heads. After his death, September i, 1908, his collection of relics and curios
remained in the old homestead until October 2g, 1909, when, after long
negotiations with the heirs of Joseph Madden, J\lrs. Alva Somers and John
iladden, the collection was secured for exhibition purposes by the Lafayette
school board. A room at the Washington school building was fitted up
and the collection installed as a museum of the early antiquities of this region,
the same being labeled "The Joseph Madden Collection of Indiana Relics
and Curios." Air. Madden was a member of the ]\Iasonic order and of the
Presbyterian church, both at Romney.
GEORGE W. LEE, M. D.
The father of this well-known physician was during his lifetime a dis-
tinguished and successful educator. Born in ^^lonroe county, Indiana, the
elder George W. Lee was a graduate of old Asbury L'niversity and for nine
year from 1870 was a professor in the city schools of Greencastle. Hrs
brother, Thomas J. Lee, had conducted an academy at Loxa, Illinois, for
some years, and when he died in the fall of 1888 he w'as succeeded by Prof.
George W. Lee, who continued the work until 1894. and then moved the
academy to Ashmore, in the same state, where he ended his useful career by
a somewhat untimely death in April, 1897, In early manhood he had mar-
ried Isabelle M. Cole, of Clark county, who died January 29, 1907, lewing
two sons, Mordecai B., the eldest, a resident of Indianapolis, who is mar-
ried and the father of four -children.
George W. Lee, youngest of the sons, was born at Greencastle, Indiana,
October 30, 1876, attended the city schools in boyhood and later studied
under his father at the latter's academy in Illinois, where he was graduated
in 1896. After his father's death he returned to Greencastle and took two
years pre-medical course at DePauw University, then entered the In-
diana Medical College at Indianapolis, in 1900, obtained his degree four
years later and began practice at Mapleton. After a short stay at this point
he went to Greenfield and had practiced there for some time when he received
an urgent invitation from Dr. Warren R. King to join the medical staff at
the Indiana State Soldiers' Home as assistant surgeon.
He decided to accept, entered upon active work at the Home on February
28, 1908, and has since continued on duty at that important state institution.
(69)
1090 PAST AND PRESENT
Doctor Lee has proven quite a i>opular acquisition to tlie Home and has be-
come popular, both among the inmates and the governing forces He is a
memljer of the American J^Iedical Association, Indiana State J^Iedical Society,
Tippecanoe County Medical Society, and holds the rank as captain and as-
sistant surgeon of the Indiana National Guard. He is also a member of the As-
sociation of Military Surgeons of the United States, a member of the Loyal
Legion of the L'nited States, Indiana Commandery; he is a member of La-
fayette Lodge, No. 15, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, also a member
of the Masonic Lodge, No. 313, Battle Ground.
May I, 1907, Doctor Lee married Jessie M., daughter of ]\Irs. Florence
V. Jones, of Indianapolis, Indiana, by whom he has one child, Warren
King, born December 22. 1908. Doctor Lee is very companionable, pos-
sessing a sunny disposition, easy address and the temperament that makes
and holds friends. His convictions are deep, his mind clear and his whole
character of the robust tinge which gives promise of good results. .\ close
observer, quick to see and act, a good judge of human nature and a natural-
born physician, he possesses all the elements of success. Full of sympathy
for the distressed, his presence in the sick room is always assuring, and any
pain inseparable from an operation is modified by his gentleness of manner.
In a word, he is thoroughly competent and reliable, and, though modest in
statement, there is an underlying firmness which prevents vacillation. As
he has scarcely reached the prime of life, is full of vigor and energy, ambitious
and optimistic, it is safe to predict that he will be heard from further among
the physicians who are doing the great work of healing and curing for the
population of Indiana.
HOX. PETER PUTNAM GOLDSBERRY.
Few men of Tippecanoe county were as widely and favorably known
as the late Peter P. Guldsberry, of Sheffield township. He was one of the
strong and influential citizens whose lives have become an essential ]3art of
the history of this section, and for years his name was synonymous for all
that constituted honorable and upright manhood. Tireless energy, keen per-
ception and honesty of purpose, combined with everyday common sense, were
among his chief characteristics, and while advancing individual success he
also largely promoted the moral and material welfare of his community.
Peter Putnam Goldsberry, deceased, who for many years was an hon-
ored resident of Sheffield township, was born in Ross county, Ohio, on the
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. lOQI
4th of April. 1813, and was a son of Thomas and Mary (Putnam) Golds-
berry. Thomas Goldsberry was a native of the state of Virginia, but moved
at an early date to the celebrated \\'estern Reserve in Ohio, where he lived
a number of years. In 183 1 he moved to Wea township, Tippecanoe county,
Indiana, where he died in middle life. His wife, who was a faithful mem-
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, lived to a ripe old age. To Thomas
and Mary Goldsberry were born the following children : Thomas, Robert,
Andrew, Jackson, Peter. Abraiham, Isaac, Jacob, Matilda, Mary and Susan.
Peter Goldsberry accompanied his parents on their removal to the new
home in Indiana, and here he obtained what education was possible in the
primitive schools of that day. Shortly after attaining his majority he be-
gan the operation of ai saw-mill near Wyandotte, which he ran for a time, and
then for a few years he lived at Dayton. After his second marriage, in 1853,
Mr. Goldsberry moved onto a farm in the south part of Sheffield township,
where they continued to reside for twenty-frve years. In 1878 they moved to
a farm just south of Dayton, which he had purchased, and here he spent
the remainder of his days. Though starting in life a poor boy. with no
special advantages, his persistent industry brought its reward, and at the time
of his death he was the owner of six hundred and fifty-four acres of land.
The place on which he spent his last years was splendidly improved by him,
the improvements including a fine large barn and a m'odern and commodious
brick residence. It was often said of Peter Goldsberry that his word was
as good as his bond, and this confidence in his integrity was never misplaced.
He gave several years efficient service in his community as a justice of the
peace and was widely known as "Squire" Goldsberry. In politics he was
a Democrat of the Jacksonian school and stanchly defended the principles of
his party. He was elected to the lower house of the State Legislature, in
which he served two years, and gained a good record as a legislator. In his
religious belief he was a ]\Ieth(jdist Episcopal, and to this church he gave a
generous support.
On August 28, 1832, Peter P. Goldsberry married Amelia Heaton, a
native of Sheffield township and a daughter of ^Villialm Heaton. The latter
w'as one of the first settlers in this part of the county, having purchased his
land of a Mr. McGeorge, who had bought about two thousand acres from
the Indians. To Peter and Amelia Goldsberry were born seven children, of
whom only three grew to maturity, namely: Robert, William aaid Julia,
who is the wife of John George, of Clinton county, Indiana. She is now the
only survivor of these children. Mrs. Amelia Goldsberry died on the 15th
of July, 1852, and on August 29, 1853, Mr. Goldsterry married ^Margaret
1092 PAST AND PRESENT
Ann Rycraft. Slie was a native of Butler county, Ohio, born November 5,
1819. and a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Hofifman) Rycraft. Joseph
Rycraft was a native of \'irginia, and he and his sister Katie were left
orphans in early childhood, being then reared by a family in Ohio. He was
married in Butler county, Ohio, and for many years was a successful farmer
diere. He also kept a tavern at Oxford, Ohio, which was a popular stopping
place for teamsters and drovers going to and from Cincinnati. In 1830 Mr.
Rycraft moved to Dayton, Indiana, and shortly afterwards entered land in
Sheffield township, which he partly cleared. Here he became quite well-to-
do, and, besides his farm, he ran a distillery. He was a soldier in the war
of 1812. under General Harrison, and it is thought he fought in the battle
of Tippecanoe. Mrs. Rycraft died October 31, 1832, at the age of forty-
two years, and was followed to the grave by her husband on June 29. 1836,
ait the age of fifty years. They were the parents of the following children :
Harriet, born May 30, 181 1; Elizabeth, born June 15, 1813: George H.,
born November 29, 1814; John H., born November 17, 181 7; Margaret A.,
born November 5, 1819; Joseph H.. burn December 2, 182 1 : Catherine, born
December 10, 1823; Mary A., born May 27. 1826; Squire L.. born Sei>-
tember 30, 1828. To Peter and Margaret Goldsberry were born children as
follows : Mary became the wife of Henry Heaton Kirkpatrick, a grand-
son of old William Heaton; Peter, referred to in the following paragraph;
Margaret A. is the wife of John Miller and they live in Wea township, this
county; Randolph lives in Sheffield township. Peter P. Goldsberry died on
the 9th day of May. 1891, and his wife on the 3d day of July, 1903. at the
age of eighty-four years, and their remains, together with those of Mr.
Goldsberry's first wife, lie in the Wyandotte cemetery.
Peter Goldsberry, son of the above Peter P. Goldsberry, was born in
Sheffield township on March 12. 1856. amd lived there with his parents until
1879, when he accompanied them to their new home just south of Da^ton.
In 1885 he returned to the farm of his childhood days, where he remained
until his father's death, when he bought a farm nearer Dayton. Here he
resided until 1906, when he purchased a fine residence property in the town
of Dayton, and has since made this his home, practically retired from
active life. He was a very successful agriculturist and gave unremitting at-
tention to the details of his work, being considered one of the leading farmers
of this section of the county. He enjoys a wide acquaintance and is favor-
ably thought of by all who know him.
On February 18. 1885, Mr. Goldsberry married Lizzie A. Slavback, a
daughter of Wilson T. and Molly (Vance) Slavback, who were early set-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. IO93
tiers of Sheffield township, but are both now dead. Mr. and Mrs. Golds-
berry are the parents of one child, Harry H., who is still at home. Politically,
Mr. Goldsberr)^ is a Democrat and in religion is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs.
JOHN CAMPBELL.
The family of this name in Tippecanoe county is descended from James
Campbell, who came from Irelamd at the beginning of the last century. Lo-
cating first in Virginia, he went at a later period to Belmont county, Ohio,
where he died. His son Wesley, born in 1807, was seven years old when
brought to the United States by his parents. In 18 14 he accompanied the
family to Ohio, and in 1828 was married in Belmont county to Christiana
Moore, who was born in 181 1, of English descent. Some years later he re-
moved to Indiana and purchased two acres of land at Lafayette, just west
of where the court house now stands. He was a boat plumber, but after
working a few years at his trade he returned to his old home in Belmont
county, Ohio: he moved to Hawkin, where he lived until he passed away.
For four years he conducted a grocery store besides renting a large farm,
and lived at this place until his death. Of his seven children, the three
living are John, Ruth and Ephraim, the two last named being residents of
Haydenville, Ohio.
John Campbell, the eldest of the sur\'iving children, was born at ?*Iich-
igan City, Indiana, September 20, 1837. After he grew up he drove an ox
team and did various kinds of farm work. September 20, i860, he married
Margaret Cramer, of Pickaway county, Ohio, who died in 1870, leaving two
children, James and Ephraim, both of whom are farmers in Sheffield town-
ship, Tippecanoe county. February 28, 1871, Mr. Campbell ma:rried Mrs.
Mary J. Barton, widow of Thomas Barton, of Montgomery county, Indiana,
who died in- 1866, leaving four children. Thomas Henry, the eldest, is a farmer
in Tippecanoe county; Daniel Bonis and Mary Malindy were twins, the
latter being dead, the former a, fanner in Wea township; Martha Jane, the
youngest, is the wife of Samuel J. Kurl, of Ladoga, Indiana. Mrs. Camp-
bell, mother of this family, was the daughter of James and Melinda (Haller)
Lane, of western Tennessee, who removed to Indiana in 1829, lived by farm-
ing and eventually died in Montgomery county. Their daughter Marv T-,
1094 PAST AND PRESENT
subsequently Airs. Barton, was born in Montgomery county, Indiana, Sep-
tember 2T,. 1829. Her parents had eleven children, of whom five are now
living. They are Mrs. Campbell; Adeline, a resident of Crawfordsville, In-
diana; Melinda, of Waynetown, Indiana; George, of Crawfordsville; and
Martha, of New Richmond, Indiana. After his first marriage, Mr. Camp-
bell was located in Pickaway county, Ohio, for two years, but in 1862 came
to Romney, Indiana, where he farmed for several years. Afterwards he
lived at different places, including four years at Lafayette, worked on the
railroad later at Romney and subsequently spent seven years at Kirkpatrick,
in Montgomery county. October 28, 1902, he located in Wea township,
where he has since lived. For several years he ran a threshing machine, and
altogether has led a busy life in various occupations. February 6, 1865. ]Mr.
Campbell enlisted in Company A, One Hundred Fiftieth Regiment Indiana
Volunteer Infantry, at Lafayette and was sent to Harper's Ferry. At that
Virginian town he contracted the measles, which necessitated his being re-
moved to Clearysville, and the result was a confinement of six weeks. After
gaining sufficient strength he returned home and was discharged, but his
health was so impaired by this sickness that he never fully recovered. As a
result of the disability he was granted a pension of thirty dollars per month.
LOUIS BROWN.
The L'nited States is greatly indebted to ^^'urttemberg. Germany, for the
large number of thrifty, public-spirited and altogether desirable citizens she has
sent to our shores, who have dispersed to aiU sections of this country, never
failing to play well their parts in the business and civic affairs of their re-
spective localities. One of this worthy number, Louis Brown, is a resident of
Wea township, Tippecanoe county, where he has labored in a manner that has
brought good to himself and also to the community. His birth occurred on
September 25, 1832, at Ensberg, in the aibo\'e-named province, the son of
Louis and Margaret (Brem) Brown, both natives of that place. The father,
who devoted his life to farming, died in 185 1, having been survived by his
widow until 1856. They were members of the Lutheran church and good
honest people. Their family consisted of seven children, named as follows:
Catherine. Johanna, Jacobena, Louis (of this review). John. Alexander and
Charlie. Louis was the onlv memlier of this familv who came to .\merica.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. I095
for which country he set sail on July 3, 1853, from Havre. France, the voy-
age requiring twenty-eight days, the landing in the harbor of New York
having been effected on August 28th following. Mr. Brown had obtained a
fairly good education in the Lutheran schools of his native land, which was
supplemented by habits of observation and home reading after he came to
America. He first worked in Hoboken, New Jersey, on the old plank road,
and later engaged in teaming. Having heard of the greater opiwrtunitie?
that existed in the Middle states, he started on a trip inland, in May, 1856,
first stopping at Springfield, Ohio, where he worked in a brickyard for one
year. He then came to Lafayette, Indiana, and worked at different things for
a while and then turned his attention to farming. On December 19, 1858,
he married Mary Grosohaus, also a native of Wurttemberg, Germany, where
she was born January 4, 1840, the daughter of John and Katherine (Hole-
swort) Grosohaus, natives of the same province. They were the parents of
five children, namely: Margaret, Mary (wife of Mr. Brown), George,
Christian and Jacob. They came to America in 1854 and settled four miles
south of Lafayette, Indiana, where Mr. Grosohaus died at the age of sixty-
five. They were members of the Lutheran church and very religious people.
After his marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Brown first rented land one-
half mile west of where they now live, on which they remained for threei
}ears, then rented one hundred acres, belonging to Henry Earl. Having
prospered by reason of hard work and economy, they purchased one hundred
acres in 1862 and have remained on this place up to the present time, having,
from time to time, added to his original tract until his splendid farm now
consists of seven hundred and fifty acres. He has carried on general farming
in a manner that has stamped him as fully abreast of the modern twentieth-
century methods employed by our best agriculturists. He has kept his place
well improved, well stocked and its value has steadily increased under his
judicious management. He has a fine, commodious and beautiful home,
which is always open to the numerous friends of the familv. The place is
also well equipped with bams, farming machinery and all that goes to make
a modern country place complete and inviting to the eye.
To Mr. and Mrs. Louis Brown seven children have been born, namelv :
Mary, who has remained single and is living at home; Carrie is the wife of
George Kidwell, a farmer in Wea township, and the mother of five children.
Mary, Lizzie, Charlie, Everett and Belle; John Brown, who is a farmer in
Wea. township, married Josephine Boyer, who has borne him three children.
Jolin, William and Edna; Lizzie married Louis Hinkle. a farmer in ^^'ea
1096 PAST AND PRESENT
township; Annie is living ait home; Ella, who remained single, is deceased;
Tillie is living at home. These children have all been well educated in the
local schools and they stand high in the social life of the community. Mr.
Brown and his family are members of the Lutheran church at Lafayette and
they take much interest in church work. Although a loyal Republican, Mr.
Brown has never aspired to public office.
Mr. and Mrs. Brown are deserving of a great deal of credit for what
they have accomplished, having started in life without a dollar. . They worked
hard, saved what they earned and were good managers, consequently great
success has attended their efforts. Mr. Brown is a man of rugged build,
hardy, capable of performing a greater amount of work than the average
man. He is kind to his family and neighbors and has innumerable friends.
MANNOW ALBERT DeLONG.
A descendant of sterling Pennsylvania ancestors is ^lannow Albert De-
Long, a prominent and influential farmer of Perry township, Tippecanoe
county. He was born in Lehigh county, the old Keystone state, November 4,
1861, the son of Peter DeLong, who was born in the same locality, October
19, 1826. The latter was the son of Jonathan and Mary (Snible) DeLong,
both natives of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, thus it will be seen that mem-
bers of this family have for several generations been known in that county,
where they have played a conspicuous part in the business and public life of the
community. Peter DeLong was reared on a farm and when seventeen years
of age he began working as a blacksmith, which trade he followed for three
years. On September 14, 1852, he married Caroline Frey. a native of his own
county, who was born November 10, 1828, the daughter of John and ]\Iarv
(Housman) Frey. They became the parents of seven children, namelv :
Amanda married Monfort Paul, of Perry township, Tippecanoe county, In-
diana: Frank, who married Lydia Hinselman, is living in Perry township;
Levi, a carpenter and contractor, who married Rosie Swank, was killed in
October, 1908; his widow resides at Pettit, Indiana; Rosa is deceased; she
married first Peter Yundt. and secondly, Nathan Shankweiler; both he and
Mr. Yundt are now deceased: Benjamin DeLong, who married Anna Stocks,
is a farmer in Perry township; Mannow Albert, of this review; Man^ mar-
ried Charles Moyer, a farmer of Sheffield township. Death deprived Mr. and
Mrs. Peter DeLong of six children.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. IO97
Peter DeLoiig came to Indiana from his home in Pennsylvania in 1865.
first settHng- in CHnton county, where he remained one year and then came
to Tippecanoe county, locating in section 32, Perry township, where he se-
cured eighty acres of land from Samuel Jackson ; he later added to this until
he had a fine farm of one hundred and eighty-five acres, a part of which was
cleared. When he took possession of it there was an old frame house and
stables on it. All of these gave way to modern buildings and up-to-date im-
provements in due course of time. He built his brick house in 1870, and car-
ried on general farming. He was a Republican in politics, and a member of
the German Reformed church. As the name would indicate, the DeLong
family is originally of French derivation, a member of this family having
come to America and settled in Berks county. Pennsylvania, before the Revolu-
tionary war. Christopher DeLong was the paternal grandfather of Peter De-
Lortg. Jonathan DeLong, grandfather of Mannow A., had a family of
thirteen children. The death of Peter DeLong occurred July i, 1904. He
started in life a poor boy, but he worked hard, managed well and reaped suc-
cess, having been highly esteemed for his many manly qualities. His brothers
and sisters were named as follows : Catherine, born August 27, 1819 ; Eliza-
beth, born ALay 3. 1821 ; Anna Maria, born December 28, 1822; John, born
November 7, 1824; Peter, born October 19, 1826; Arma, born July 11, 1828;
Reuben, born September 12, 1829; Lida, born November 10, 183 1 ; Jonathan,
born October 15, 1835; Sarah A., born May 4, 1838; Joseph, born July 11,
1842 ; Vianiai, born December 2, 1843.
Mannow Albert DeLong received his education in Dayton, Indiana,
He remained at home until he was sixteen years of age (1888), when he went
to Kansas City, Missouri, where he laid tile, having learned the tilesetterV
trade. He returned to the farm in 1891 and remained with his father until
the latter's death, since which time he has had charge of the farm, the affairs
of which he has very ably conducted, displaying rare soundness of judgment
and giving every evidence that he is a worthy son of a worthy sire, having be-
come recognized as one of the leading farmers of the younger generation in
Perry township. Besides carrying on general farming, he devotes much time
to the raising of cattle, horses and hogs, from which no small part of his
annual income is derived. He takes an interest in politics, and is president of
the advisory board of Perry township. His labors are for the success of the
Republican party. Mr. DeLong has remained single. He takes a delight in
caring for his aged mother, who is hale and hearty and living on the old
home place. She is a kind and generous lady and. with her son. shares the
friendship of all their neighbors.
1098 PAST AND PRESENT
CHARLES W. OHL.
Xo farmer in Tippecanoe county better understands modern methods of
agriculture than Cliarles W. Olil, as his eminent success in this Hne would indi-
cate to the contemplative mind. He was born in Clinton county, Indiana, May
15, 1872, the son of George Ohl, who was born in 1834 in Ashland county,
Ohio. His mother was known in her maidenhood as Margaret Miller, a
native of Clinton county, Indiana, her birth having occurred in 1837. The
grandparents of Charles W. Ohl, John and Lydia (Wheir) Ohl, were na-
tives of Ashland county, Ohio. They came by wagon to Indiana in the pioneer
days and secured land one-half mile east of Mulberry. The country was very
wild and they had their full share of hardships, but they cleared the land,
made a good home and spent many prosperous years there. John Ohl dying
on the place. Although he was a distiller early in his career, his latter years
were given up to farming. He and his wife were the parents of seven chil-
dren, namely : David, John, George, Lydia, Maria, Simon, deceased, and
Mary. The last named and John are the only ones living at this writing.
The maternal grandfather of Charles \V. Ohl was Solomon [Miller, who mar-
ried Nellie Logan. They were both natives of Butler county, Ohio, and in
a very early day they came by wagon over the old national road to Indiana
and settled near Rossville, on the Burlington road, where they secured eighty
acres of land on which they spent the remainder of their lives. They were
the parents of the following children : Nan, living in Sedalia, Indiana : Islar-
garet, mother of Charles W. Ohl, lives at Mulberry, Indiana; Seeth ]\Iiller
lives at Anderson, Indiana.
George Ohl grew up in Clinton county, Indiana, where b.e attended the
public schools and where he married. He prospered as a farmer, bought the
old home place and spent his life there, becoming well known and influential
by reason of his industrious and honorable life. His death occurred in No-
vember, 1905, and his widow is living the quiet evening of her life at Mul-
berry. He was a consistent member of the German Lutheran church, and al-
though a loyal Democrat he preferred to spend his life at home rather than
seeking public ofifice. Mr. and Mrs. George Ohl were the parents of two
children, Charles W., of this review, and Ada F., who married Henry Clas-
myer, of Fostoria, Ohio.
Charles W. Ohl received his education in the home schools and at Frank-
fort, In('i:ina. He remained under the i>arental roof until 1900 when he came
to Perrv township. Tippecanoe county. He was married on February 5,
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. - lOgQ
1894, to Alida C. Walter, who was born in Sheffield township, this cminty,
the daughter of Cornelius and Susanna (Craig) Walter, natives of Butler
county, Ohio. In 1847 Cornelius Walter came to Indiana with his parents,
John and Catherine (Mohr) Walter, both of whom were natives of Lehigh
county, Pennsylvania, and got land in Perry township. They were the par-
ents of six children, some of whom are married and living. John Walter,
Sr., settled in Perry township. The land had no improvements on it, but he
cleared it and made a good home on the same, becoming well known in that
community. John Walter's death occurred on this place in 1866. Mrs.
Walter is also deceased.
Cornelius Walter received his education in the common schools and lived
at home until his marriage. He became the owner of a good farm of one
hundred and three acres in Sheffield township, and he made brick and built
a fine dwelling-house on his place. He was a hard worker and cleared
his land on which he made money rapidly. He retired in 1887 and moved
to Mulberry, Indiana, where his widow is now living, his death having oc-
curred in lyob. '1 hey were the parents of six children, namely: Charlie,
Philip, Sarah, Dora, all deceased; William J. is a farmer in Perry township
(see his sketch in this volume) ; Alida C, wife of Charles W. Ohl, was the
youngest in order of birth. To Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Ohl the following
children, seven in number, have been born: Erma A., Troy R., Cleo E.,
Russell J.. Opal M., Morris E. and Gordon C.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Ohl lived in Clinton
county, Indiana, on the old Ohl homestead until 1901, when they moved to
Perry township, Tippecanoe county, locating in section 34 where they have
since resided. He has devoted his life to farming with gratifying results.
He carries on general farming and is making a good living besides laying by
a competency. His place is well managed, kept clean and highlv impro\'ed
and well stocked. He is a member of the Lutheran church at Mulberry, In-
diana, and he and his family stand high in the estimation of all their
neighbors.
WILLIAM J. WALTER.
The family of this name originated in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, but
representatives of it became pioneers in the west at what the local historians
are fond of calling "an early day." We first hear of John and Catherine
(Mohr) Walter, who married and reared a familv of children in Pennsvl-
-IIOO PAST AND PRESENT
vania before they decided to emigrate to the west. Several of the children
remained in the home state, but Cornelius accompanied his father and mother
to Indiana in 1847, ^.nd with them located in Tippecanoe county, where his
father bought land in Perry tnwnship. He found Init few imprnvements on
his new possessions, and faced the usual task of the pioneer in the shape of
endless clearing, grubbing and fencing. He and his wife both died in 1866,
within a few weeks of each other, and left their earthly possessions to the
surviving children. Cornelius, who was born in Lehigh county, Pennsyl-
vania, had been the mainstay of his parents during their long journey to the
west and in the subsequent battle with the wilderness. He was an obedient
and industrious boy, helped in all the farm work and remained at home until
the time came to embark in business on his own account. He married Susan-
nah Craig, of Butler county, Ohio, and soon after bought a farm of one hun-
dred and seven acres in Sheffield township. He made brick on the place out
of which he constructed a fine residence for those days, improved the prem-
ises in many ways and carried on his agricultural work with success. In
1887 he retired and moved to Mulberry, Indiana, where he died in 1906. His
widow still resides at Mulberry. Cornelius and wife had six children :
Charles, Philip, Sarah, Dorra, William J., and Alida, the latter being now
the wife of Charles W. Ohl, of Perry township.
William J. Walter, the only one of this family now living, was lx)rn in
Perry township, Tippecanoe county, Indiana, September 22, 1848, helping
with the farm work and management. In 1882 he married Barbara Meisen-
helder, and this union resulted in the birth of ten children : Mary, Rosa (de-
ceased), Abbie, Amelia, Sarah, Myrtle, Levi, Philip, Wilford and Maude.
In 1901 Mr. Walter located on a farm known as the Starret place on section
35, of Perry township, where he has since resided. He carries on general
farming, raising all the usual crops adapted to this latitude and a full com-
plement of live stock, principally horses and hogs. He is a quiet. uikiI)-
trusive citizen, who enjoys the esteem of his neighbors and fulfills to the let-
ter all the obligations resting upon an honest man.
ELMER RITCHEY WATERS.
Elmer Ritchey Waters was born September 10, 1870, in Piatt county,
Illinois, the son of John Waters, who was born near Crane, Tippecanoe coun-
ty, Indiana, March 28, 1836, and who, together with Thomas Waters, grand-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. I Id
father of Elmer, of this review, have done something for the development
of this locality from the pioneer days to the present-day prosperity. Thomas
Waters was a native of Elkridge Landing, Maryland, now part of Baltimore,
and came to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, in 1838. He married Elizabeth
DeHart, born in Ross county, Ohio, in 1814. Both the paternal great-grand-
father and great-great-grandfather were named Philip. They lived at Elk-
ridge, Maryland. John Waters, father of Elmer, married Eliza E. Ritchey
in January, 1868. She was the daughter of John Ritchey, who was born in
1805 in Ross county, Ohio. He married Maria Adams, who was born in
1810 in Chillicothe, Ohio. She was a descendant of John Quincy Adams,
of Massachusetts. John Ritchey came to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, in
1832, and settled in Wea township in section 27, in 1834. He was the son of
George Ritchey. Maria (Adams) Ritchey was the daughter of Elisha Adams,
who married Margaret McCune, of Virginia. Following are the children of
Thomas and Elizabeth Waters : John, father of Elmer, of this review ; Mary,
who married George Shoemaker, is deceased, as is also Allen ; Howard lives
at Stockwell, Indiana. The DeHarts were naitives of England ; they came to
America and settled in Virginia before the Revolutionary war ; their ancestry
is traceable as far back as 1700. The following children were born to John
Ritchey and wife: Josephine married Joseph Gladden, and both are de-
ceased; Margaret, who married J. Kelly O'Neal (deceased), is living in
Lafayette, Indiana; Eugene B.. who married Emma McCoy, is deceased, but
his widow is living in Lafayette; Eliza E. was the mother of Elmer Waters;
Alice, deceased, who married David Elliott near Crane Station; Keltic mar-
ried John McCoy, of Lafayette.
The Ritchey family constituted an old clan in Scotland that was driven
out and moved by Cromwell to the northern part of Ireland, later coming to
America, settling in Virginia prior to the Revolutionary war. The McCune
family was of Scotch-Irish descent. They came to Virginia, settling on the
Wilderness road and conducted a tavern at which such noted characters as
Henry Clay, David Crockett and many other noted men of that time stopped.
The family later moved to Chillicothe, Ohio, and in 1834 came to Tippecanoe
county, Indiana, settling in Wea township, John Ritchey having first made
the trip here in 1832 on horseback, carrying seven hundred dollars in his sad-
dle-bags. Elmer Waters now owns the saddle-bags. In those days there
were no safes, so when a guest stopped over night on his travels, he turned
his saddle-bags over to the landlord, who threw them into a closet together
with those of other travelers and in the morning each man sorted out his own
saddle-bags. John Ritchey purchased twelve hundred acres (if land in Wea
II02 PAST AND PRESENT
township with the seven hundred dollars he carried from his home in Virginia,
and there, in section 27, he cleared the land and in time established a good
home, spending the remainder of his life here.
Thomas Waters, in company with Peter Goldsberry, came to Tippecanoe
county, Indiana, in 1835. They, with a man named Eaton in partnership,
were hired by the United States government to supply meat for the Indians
for one year. They did not secure land for some time, but hired to Simion
Langlois, a half-breed Indian, for one season. He was the chief of the Potto-
watomies. Waters was offered eighty acres of land, lying just east of Ninth
and north of Main street in the present city of Lafatyette, for the sum of
four hundred dollars, but the soil was so poor that he refused the offer. He
later purchased land on Wild Cat prairie near Crane Statinn (then called
Culver), which is still in possession of the Waters family, being owned by
John Waters and wife. He cleared this land and established his home here,
but in 1837 moved to Clinton county. Four years later he returned to his
home in this county and died at the age of forty-eight years. His wife,
Elizabeth, who was a sister of Allen and Abner DeHart, died at the age of
ninety years at Stockwell. An uncle of Thomas Waters, named Nicholas
Waters, was a scout under Gen. William Henry Harrison during his Tippe-
canoe campaign, but he was not in the battle. He li\ed in Kentucky many
years and was considered one of the fastest runners in the state, having run
down a deer, it is said, on a bet, and killed it with his hunting knife.
One branch of the Waters family settled near Russiaville. Howard
county. John Waters, father of Ehner. attended the district schools and was
taiuight by Doctor Nevins, an old Scotch sea captain, who taught in DeHart's
school, and who became a prominent banker at Thorntown. Mr. Waters
received a good education for those days and he was enabled to teach school,
which he did very successfully. He was twice married, first to
Kirkpatrick, who died in 1864. One son, George, was born to this union,
who is now a wholesale fruit dealer in Crawfordsville, Indiana. He married
Lide Reynolds and they ha\'e two children, Elsie and John. John Waters
then married Eliza E. Ritchey, and in 1868 went to Monticello. Illinois,
where he farmed for ten years, then came back to Tippecanoe county, Indiana,
and bought the Elihu Hollingsworth farm, near Farmers Institute, and with
the exception of four years spent in West Lafayette, he has since made his
home on this place. Although a loyal Republican, he has held no public office.
He is a member of the Christian church. Elmer Waters, of this review, is
the only child by John Waters and his second wife.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. IIO3
Elmer Waters was educated in the home schools, at Farmers Institute
Academy and at Purdue University, graduating from the latter in 1891 and
in 1892 taking a post-graduate course in civil engineering. On December 8,
1897, he was married to Sarah A. Welch, of Webster City, Iowa, the daugh-
ter of James and Susan (Shotwell) Welch, both natives of Wea Plains, the
former a son of Dr. Turner Welch, of Ross county, Ohio, and one of the
first settlers of Wayne township. He was a surgeon in the war of 1812, and
he came to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, in 1828. He enjoyed an extensive
practice, doing all his riding on horseback. Susan Shotwell is the daughter
of Eden and Ann (Hass) Shotwell; they lived in Loda, Illinois. James
Welch spent his boyhood on the home farm and attended the neighboring
schools, having been taught by Moses Stevens. He helped organize the
Farmers Institute Academy and also assisted in erecting the old log building
for the same. He went to Loda, Illinois, in 1861, bought horses and mules
for the United States government aaid he served in the secret service under
Yates, later governor of Illinois. During the war he desired to harvest his
crop of wheat, hut could not get help, so he wrote to President Lincoln, ask-
ing him if he could get negroes to do his work. His request was granted and
he induced a carload of negroes at Knoxville, Tennessee, to come and do
the work. He was compelled to arm them in order that they might protect
themselves, for attempts were made to kill them. Many attempts were made
to kill him but were unsuccessful. Perhaps the narrowest was from Quant-
rell's guerrillas. ]\Ir. Welch also assisted in putting down the "Knights of the
Golden Circle." In 1873 ^""^ located near Holder, Illinois, and was an ex-
tensive breeder of Clydesdale horses, also of cattle. In 1887 he went to Web-
ster City, Iowa, and engaged in the real estate business, settling five hundred
families from Illinois and Indiana in that section. He became known as "Jim
Welch" through central Iowa. He had considerable influence with the Illi-
nois Central railroad over which he had pas.ses. He was also interested in
the corn canning business and held title to much Kansas and Texas lands.
He assisted in breaking up "boot legging" in Iowa. He was always a Re-
publican and a member of the Quaker church. His death occurred April 17,
1909. His family consisted of six children : Charles, who married Susan
Brown, lives in Lafayette ; Esther, who married Elvin Young, lives in Web-
ster City, Iowa ; George and Walter are deceased : Turner W'elch, of Wel>
ster City, Inwa, married Jessie Medherry; Sarah A., wife of Elmer Waters.
To Mr. and Mrs. Elmer \\'aters the following children have liecn Ixirn :
Marie Welch, born April 10. 1S99; Helen Ritchey. born September 24, 1903:
II04 PAST AND PRESENT
Dorothy Esther, born January 8, 1908. They are all bright and interesting
children.
In January, 1891, Elmer Waters located at his present home at South
Raub, Tippecanoe county, in section 31, where he owns one hundred and sev-
enty-four acres of rich and highly improved land, on which he carries on
general farming. He is agent for the Haynes automobile, of Kokomo, In-
diana; he also represents the O'Neal Corrugated Culvert Company. He has
been successful owing to his close application to business and his good man-
agement and he has a good home and a good yield from his farm.
Fraternally, Mr. Waters is a Mason, belonging to Romney Lodge, No.
449, and also the Lincoln Club of Lafayette.
A. W. SHOUP. M. D.
Among the men who have taken an active part in the affairs of Tippe-
canoe county and won a reputation for their interest in the welfare of the
general public and a profession as well is Dr. A. ^\■. Shoup, who is eminently
deserving of the high esteem in which he is held. Born in the adjoining
county of White, in the city of Monticello, Doctor Shoup is the son of Daniel
and Caroline (Lamar) Shoup, a worthy old couple who moved to Tippecanoe
county in 1863 and spent the remainder of their lives here, established a
good home and won the confidence and respect of a wide circle of friends.
Of their family of eight children Dr. A. W., of this review, was the oldest.
He spent his early youth on the farm assisting with the work on the same
and attending the district schools during the winter months. He applied
himself very carefully to his work and was enabled to take up teaching, which
profession he followed with much success in the schools of his home county
during the next twelve years, his services being in great demand, for he was
not only well qualified for this line of work from a te.xt-book standpoint
but also had all the other necessary qualifications for the successful teaclier.
All the while he was interested in scientific subjects, and his reading was
wide in its scope. Feeling the need of a more thorough training in order to
fit himself for the medical profession for which he had long had a predilec-
tion, he entereil Purdue L"^niversity at Lafayette, from which institution he
was graduated in the summer of 1887. with the degree of Docti)r of Phil-
osophy. For some time following his graduation he was engaged in the
drug business in Lafayette, studying medicine in the meantime. Entering
A. W. SHOUP, M. D.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 1 10$
a medical college in Louisville, Kentucky, he finished the course in a very
creditable manner in the spring of 1904. So well had he done his work in
Purdue University that he was enabled to pass many of the examinations
in the Louisville school without taking the subjects over again. Upon his
graduation he located in the city of Terre Haute, where he built up a very
good patronage, but believing that a more desirable field awaited him at
Battle Ground he established an ofiice here, and his success was instantaneous.
He now has an excellent practice throughout this part of the county.
Doctor Shoup was first married in Xovember. 1895. to Eugenia Van
Dyke, of Kentucky. On account of the failing health of [Mrs. Shoup, the
Doctor was compelled to relinquish his practice here and locate in the South,
consequently they moved to North Carolina; however, the change in climate
did not result in the benefit to the health of Mrs. Shoup anticipated and she
was called to her rest in 1900. To this union one son was born. Van Dyke
Shoup, in 1896. Soon after the death of his wife the Doctor returned to
Battle Ground and again took up his practice here, where he has since re-
mained. The Doctor was again married on April u, 1909. his last wife being
known in her maidenhood as Hester Fowler. [Mrs. Shoup has lived in
Tippecanoe county all her life and has a large acquaintance.
Doctor Shoup is deeply enamored of his work and keeps abreast of the
times in all scientific research bearing on the medical profession; he is a
deep student not only in medical lines but in various lines of literature. He
has long been active in the affairs of the Republican party.
JOSEPH JENNINGS ^lOREHOUSE.
One of the prominent and early settlers of Tippecanoe county is the
gentleman of whom this sketch is penned. He is a practical, thorough-going
farmer, understanding every department of the work connected with the
proper supervision of a country home, and success has abundantly rewarded
his persevering labors. Xnw. in his ('ecliiiing year?, he may look backward
over the pathway he has traversed and truly feel that his efforts have been
lilessed. while he can ha\'e few re? rets for idle days and wasted moments.
Joseph J. Morehouse was born in Pine \^illage. Warren county. Indiana,
on the 23d day of June, 1839, and is the son of Levi J. and Lucy (Kee) More-
hiiuse. The subject's paternal grandfather was .\mns [Mcirelinuse. who was
born May 11, 1793. in the state of New Jersey. He moved from his native
(70)
II06 PAST AND PRESENT
State to Ohio, and subsequently, about 1830. came to Tippecanoe county, In-
diana. He was by trade a brickmason and plasterer and in an early day he
erected a brick house at the corner of Main and Third streets, Lafayette. On
September 11. 181 7, he married Rhoda Jennings and to them were born ten
children, namely: Levi J. (the subject's father), Benjamin P., Easter, Mor-
gan, Silas, James, Jacob, John, Elizabeth and Sarah. Of these, all are now
dead but Jacob. Amos Morehouse died at the age of fifty-four years. His
wife, Rhoda, was a native of Ohio, but in her youth she was brought to Tip-
pecanoe county by her parents, who bought eight hundred acres of land. Mrs.
Morehouse's ancestors, in both lines, were prominent in the early history of
the county and were considered very wealthy for that day.
Levi J. Morehouse, who was born at New Carlisle, Ohio, March 10,
1819, attended school but a few days in his life, but was possessed of unusual
mental ability and had the faculty of quickly grasping the essential points of
anything to which his attention was called. He was heavily engaged in the
livestock business during most of his active life. He started with compara-
tively nothing, but was successful in his dealings and at his death was con-
sidered very well-to-do. He was an active man in politics, being a radical
Republican, but could never be induced to accept public office. In religion,
he was a member of the Christian church for inany years and was a gen-
erous supporter of that society, in which he took an active part, being almost
constantly a member of the church official board. His death occurred in
1887. He had led what in these days would be called a strenuous life, as in
his early days the country was but little improved. Lafayette was but a
village and there was not a great demand for produce. Consequently, Air.
Morehouse hauled most of his produce to Chicago, by ox teams, generally
bringing back a load of salt or some other desired merchandise. Most of his
livestock was shipped to Buffalo, New York, and other eastern markets. Mr.
Morehouse married, in this county, Lucy Kee, who was lx3rn in Ohio. March
10, 1 819. She lived to be seventy-six years old. Her father, Caleb Kee, was
one of Tippecanoe county's most prominent characters. He was present at
General Hull's surrender at the battle of Detroit, during the war of 181 2.
He lived to the age of eighty-seven years. To Levi and Lucy Morehouse
were born ten children, namely: Joseph J., the immediate subject of this
sketch; Rachael, deceased; Silas A., wlm lixes in Wabash township: Levi, de-
ceased; Martena, deceased; Emma, John and Mary died in infancy; Try-
phena, deceased; and Charles, who is living on the west side. Martena en-
listed in the One Hundred and Fiftieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry
at Lafavette in 1864, and contracted tuberculosis in the army.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. I IO7
Joseph J. Morehouse attended the common schools during his Ijoyhood
days and secured a fair education for that day. He became an assistant of
his father in the hvestock business as soon as old enough and for alx)ut twen-
ty years was his active partner, the father attending to the buying, while the
subject looked after the shipping. He has also given much attention to
farming operations, in which he has been successful to an unusual degree,
now owning land in sections 20, 26, 27, 23, 22 and 16, Wabash township.
In his stockraising, the subject has made a specialty of Berkshire hogs
for nearly fifty years and during the past ten years has also given some spe-
cial attention to Durham cattle, having been in the cattle business ever since
boyhood. He is said to be an exceptionably good judge of cattle and hogs.
His home, which is located in section 23, is considered one of the finest coun-
try homes in the township. He has in all his transactions been characterized
and prompted by a spirit of fair dealii:i|g and his word has always been con-
sidered as good as his bond. He possesses a genial personality and his friends
are in number as his acquaintances.
When twenty-two years old, Mr. Morehouse was united in marriage
with Mary E. Marsteller, of Lafayette, who is deceased. She has been dead
for about thirty years. She bore her husband three children, namely : Wil-
liam V., Estella E. and Harry S. On August 23, 1881, Mr. Morehouse mar-
ried Nancy J. Plummer, a daughter of John and Mary Plummer, whose an-
cestry can be traced back to the Pilgrims of the early New England days,
tl-ey h'lving come over in the "Mayflower." She still jjossesses some relics of
that far-away day, one of the most intei-esting being a string of beads which
she believes has been in the family for four hundred and sixty-five years.
Mrs. Morehouse was born in White county July 26, 1855, and her marriage
to the subject occurred on August 23, 1881, in that county. To them have
been born six children, four boys and two girls, as follows : Byron Jennings,
born June 17, 1883; John L., born November 16. 1885; Joseph J., born Sep-
tember 14, 1887; Howard H., born February 14, 1890; Ruth L., born June
18, 1892; Lee Oata T., born November 5, 1895.
Politically, Mr. Morehouse has always rendered a stanch allegiance to the
Republican party, though in principle he is now an ardent prohibitionist. He
and his wife are earnest and faithful members of the Christian church and
give that party a generous support. Mrs. Morehouse has in her possession
a gun carried in the war of 1812 by John Ladd. and she also has a
tea set that came from England on the "Mayflower." Uncle James Kee and
Thomas Plummer helped move the Indians from the state of Indiana to
Mis.souri.
II08 PAST AND PRESENT
FERDIXAXD CORTEZ JACKSOX.
Clearly defined purpose and determined, persistent effort in the affairs of
life will inevitably result in the attaining of a due measure of success, but in
following out the career of one who has attained success by his own efforts
there comes into view the intrinsic individuality which made such accomplish-
ment possible, and thus there is granted an incentive and inspiration, while at
the same time there is enkindled a feeling of respect and admiration. The
qualities which have made Mr. Jackson one of the prominent and successful
mon of Tippecanoe county have also brought him the esteem of his fellow-
citizens, for his career has been one of well-directed energ}-, strong determi-
nation and honorable methods.
Ferdinand C. Jackson was born in Carroll county, Missouri, on the 3d
of April, 1846, and is a son of Philip and Hulda (McCleary) Jackson. Philip
Jackson was a native of the state of Ohio, and his death occurred on May 19,
1852. He was brought to Tippecanoe county by his parents and his father
died here in 1865. Philip spent his early years in Tippecanoe county and se-
cured a fair education in the public schools. He learned the trade of carpen-
ter at which he worked the greater part of the time. Some time after his
marriage, and after the birth of his first child, the family moved to the state
of Missouri, where he worked at his trade and also farmed to some extent.
He was fairly successful in whatever he undertook and enjoyed the respect of
all who knew him. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal
church. His death occurred in 1852, and in 1855 his widow brought her
family back to Tippecanoe county, where she spent her remaining days. ^Irs.
Jackson was a native of Ohio and came to Tippecanoe county in a very early
day with her parents, who were numbered among the honored pioneers of
this locality. To Philip and Hulda Jackson were born five children, namely :
Isabel, who was born in Tippecanoe county, is deceased ; Christopher C. lives
in \\'est Lafayette; the subject of this sketch is the next in the order of birth;
Missouri Ann married a Mr. Hain and lives in West Lafayette; Margaret,
who became the wife of a Mr. Albertson, resides in Lafayette.
Ferdinand Jackson was nine years of age when his mother brought her
five children back to her old home in Tippecanoe county, and here he received
a fair education in the common schools, considering his opportunity for at-
tendance. He was compelled to take upon himself at an early age the burden
of making his own living, having practically paid his own way since he was
nine vears old. At the age of twenty-one years, he married IMarinza J. Hain.
TIPPECAXOE COUNTY, IND. I IO9
Mrs. Jackson was born in Tippecanoe county on November ii, 1848, and is a
daughter of Leonard Hain, who was a native of Ohio and an early settler
in Tippecanoe county. To Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have been born seven chil-
dren, as follows: Alice, born December 4, 1869, married Cassius Hender-
son, of Carroll county, Indiana, and is the mother of four children; Benja-
min P., born July 25, 1871, and now living in Carroll county, married Mary
Gosma, who has borne him one child: Willanl L.. of West Lafayette, was
born June 13, 1874, married Daisy Eichinger and they have one child; Hattie
May, born September 7, 1876, became the wife of Joseph Henderson, of Car-
roll county, and they have one child; Florinda Bell, born September 10, 1878,
is the wife of R. Morehouse, of Carroll county, and they are the parents of
four children ; Thomas O., born November 5, 1883. is at home, as is Edward,
v;?ho was born December 22, 1885.
Mr. Jackson has followed agricultural pursuits practically all his life
and has been fairly successful in his efforts. He is the owner of a splendid
farm in section 2, township 24, Wabash township, and here may be found
evidences of the progressive methods followed by the owner of the land. The
land was under cultivation when he came into possession of it. but practically
all the improvements in the way of buildings have been placed upon it by Mr.
Jackson. He has not confined his efforts to any special line of farming, but
has raised all the crops common to this section of the country. In politics,
Mr. Jackson is a Republican, and gives that party his earnest support. He is
deeply interested in county and township affairs, but cares nothing for the
honors of office. In religion, he is a member of the Free Baptist church in
White county, to which he renders a generous support. In the broadest sense
of the term he is a self-made man and is eminently deserving of .the con-
fidence and esteem which is freelv accorded him in the communitv.
THOMAS JEFFERSON McCOR^IICK.
One of the native sons of Tippecanoe county who has here passed his
entire life figures as the subject of this sketch, and it is not irrelevant to
state that he is one of the most popular and highly esteemed citizens of Wa-
bash township, where he is successfully engaged in farming, having a well
improved and highly cultivated farm. As a member of one of the leading
pioneer families there is here entered the record of the more salient features
in his career.
I no PAST AND PRESENT
Thomas Jefferson McCormick was born in Wabash township, Tippe-
canoe county, Indiana, on the 8th of April, 1858. His parents were James
and Alcinda (Meekens) McCormick, the former of whom was born near
Dayton, Ohio, January 17, 1822, and came to Tippecanoe county in 1826.
His father, PhiHp McCormick, entered land here and built a log house where
W. W. Young now resides. He cleared much of the land and put it in a
fair way for future improvement. His holdings comprised an entire section
of land at Jordan Grove and about nine hundred acres west of where Purdue
University now stands. Philip McCormick was one of the first settlers in this
county and erected the first hewed-log house in Lafayette. When he came
here there was but one log house in Lafayette and the land in the vicinity
was all wild and unimproved. James McCormick secured what education he
could in the primitive schools of that day and added to his school knowledge
by persistent reading, so that he was a very well informed man on general
topics. He followed the pursuit of agriculture all his life and became one of
the best known men in Tippecanoe county. He cared nothing for politics,
though at the polls he supported the Republican ticket, as did all the male
members of his family. He was the first "squire" in Tippecanoe county.
Alcinda Meekens was born in Virginia, close to the coast, and from there
she accompanied her family to Madison county, Indiana, and thence to Lafay-
ette. Her father was the pioneer butcher of that place, her mother kept one
of the first taverns and her brother ran a ferry, so all were prominent in the
first days of that city. Alcinda was born on August 31, 1826, and died in
February, 1891. To James and Alcinda McCormick were born twelve chil-
dren, of whom five are living, namely: Fremont, Thomas J,. Jc)se])h Philip,
Andrew J. and Ulysses Grant.
Thomas J. McCormick remained at home until 1882, securing in the
meanwhile a good education in the common schools. He has followed in the
footsteps of his father and has applied himself to agricultural pursuits, in
which he has' been fairly successful. His splendid farm is located in section
II, in addition to which he has forty acres of timber land in section 13. He
is practical and progressive in his methods and the appearance of his place
indicates him to be a man of splendid taste and good judgment.
In 1882 Mr. McCormick was united in marriage with Rosa Kurtz, who
was born in Lafayette on January 23, i86r, the daughter of Daniel and
Frederica (Phifer) Kurtz. These parents were both natives of Germany,
coming to this country when young. Her mother was born about 1833 and
died at the age of seventy-two years, while the father was born in 183 1 and
died at the comparatively early age of forty-eight years. Thev were the
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND I I II
parents of nine children, all of whom are still living. To Mr. and Mrs.
McCormick have been born three children, namely: Florence E., born Octo-
ber lo, 1883, married Henry Ernest, by whom she has one child, and they
reside in Wabash township; Stella, born December 6, 1886, married William
A. Childres, who met his death in a railroad accident on the 9th of May, 1908,
at Ball's Crossing; Harry S., born May 2, 1889, is still at home.
Mr. McCormick is a Republican in politics and served his township as
road supervisor five years, giving the best of satisfaction. He is not affiliated
with any church, but is a generous supporter of churches and benevolent
movements generallv. He is a man who has, because of his sterling qualities
of character, won the respect of all who know him and his home is the center
of a large social circle, he and his wife possessing that genial attitude which
makes all comers to their home feel their welcome.
JOSEPH WOLF.
From the study of the life history of Joseph Wolf one may learn valu-
able lessons. The spirit of self-help is the source of all genuine worth in the
individual and is the means of bringing to man success when he has no ad-
vantage of wealth or influence to aid him. It illustrates in no uncertain
manner what it is possible to accomplish when perseverance and determina-
tion form the keynote to a man's life. Depending upon his own resources,
looking for no outside aid or support, Mr. Wolf has risen to his present posi-
tion in the agricultural circles of Tippecanoe county.
Joseph Wolf is a native son of Tippecanoe county, having been born on
Hog-Points December 8, 1849, and is a son of Peter and Susana (Powell)
Wolf. Peter \\'olf was a native of Ohio, born January 4, 1816. and came to
Tippecanoe county when in his fourteenth year, landing here on October 6,
1830. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. Philip Wolf, who had si.xteen chil-
dren, only six of whom lived to years of maturity. Philip Wolf was a farmer
and was one of the first settlers in Tippecanoe county. Peter \\'o\i was com-
pelled to earn his own living from early boyhood. For sevfen years he was
employed in a gristmill at the modest wage of three dollars a month and he
worked in the harvest field with a reap hook for thirty-seven and a half cents
a day. There were no schools here then and he was not given the opportu-
nitv to secure much rf an c<lrcr;ti(r,\ I'^e was industrious and cncrqxtic and
I I 12 PAST AND PRESENT
his determination to succeed bore fruit, so that eventually he found himself
in fairly comfortable circumstances. It is said he was the first man to sell
fresh meat in Lafayette. He worked in a slaughterhouse, but frequently
sold meat on his own account. He bought veal at one dollar and a half a head
and made good money in the retailing- of the meat. He paid eleven and a half
dollars for the first cow and calf sold in Lafayette, which was considered a
fair price, as cows generally sold for seven to nine dollars. Eventually Mr.
Wolf turned his attention to farming, to which he applied himself for a while
during the summers. He killed much wild game and the subject now has in
his possession a rifle eighty-five years old which his father used on his hunt-
ing excursions. The subject also owns a pair of hames made by his father.
Mr. Wolf cleared four acres of land, for which he received a yoke of calves,
made rails for three and a half dollars a thousand and cut cordwood for
twenty-five cents a cord, cutting more than one thousand cords. There is
thus gained some idea of the conditions which confronted this worthy pioneer
in his efforts to get ahead financially.
Susana (Powell) Wolf was born in 1825 and her death occurred in
1871, after a painful illness of fifteen years duration. Her parents were of
English birth and she was but a child when the family came to Tippecanoe
county. Petei Wolf died in 1896. During his last years he had been in sore
straits financially, because of the long and painful illness of his wife, which
called for constant financial expense, and, in addition, his so;i Philip had a sun-
stroke, which resulted in total blindness, and in the effort to restore sight to
the afflicted man much money was spent. The marriage of Peter and Susana
Wolf took place in 1847, ^"<i they became the parents of ten children, name-
ly: Joseph, the subject of this sketch; Philip, deceased; one unnamed that
died in infancy; John, of Shelby township, this county; George, of Wabash
township; Anna, who married a Mr. Jarrell and lives in Shelby township;
one that died in infancy unnamed; Charles, of Washington township: Min-
nie married a Mr. Bringham and lives in Washington state: Ellen married a
Mr. Hefifner and lives in Lafayette.
Joseph Wolf remained under the parental roof until after he had at-
tained his majority, when he started out for himself. He had attended a
few short terms in the subscription schools of the day, but his school edu-
cation was limited. Being the eldest of the children, he was compelled most
of the time to remain at home and assist in the arduous work of clearing the
land and putting it in cultivation. His first independent start was as a farm
hand, for which he received but modest wages. Fifty cents in cash was the
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND III3
sum total of his capital when he left home. He was a faithful and steady
worker and was exceedingly frugal of his means, so that as the months went
by his cash capital gradually increased. Eventually he was enabled to buy a
tract of land in section i6, Shelby township, for which he paid twenty dollars
per acre. The same land is now worth easily one hundred and twenty-five
dollars an acre. When he secured the land, it was practically all in timber.
Tliis he cleared off. and tiled and ditched the land, so that it at length
became one of the best and most productive tracts of land in that locality.
The property is in a fine state of improvement and every detail of the work
is under jNIr. Wolf's personal supervision. Among other improvements, it
may be noted that he has on the place twenty-six swinging gates and one
hundred and sixty-five rods of ten-inch tile. The outbuildings are all well
cared for and in all respects the place is one that its owner may well feel a
pride in.
When Joseph Wolf was twenty-two years old he was married to Emma
Dumas, who was a year and four months his junior in age. They kept house
for the subject's father for about two years, when they moved to their own
property. They became the parents of two children. One child died- in in-
fancy and the survivor is Ada May, who married Willard Lake; they live
at Octagon, Indiana. On the 6th of December, 1876, Mr. Wolf married
Luinda Ellen Tull, who was born in Tippecanoe county in 1852, the daugh-
ter of William Tull. The children born to this union are as follows : George
E., who married Sadie Schwigler and resides in Wabash township, they
being the parents of one child ; Minnie is the wife of August Bramer, of
Wabash township, and they have three children ; Peter A. married Josie !May
Widmier, lives in Shelby township, and they have one child ;.Effie loma, who
married George Wettschereck, of Wabash township, is the mother of two
children; William J., at home; Charles Grover,iat home; Raymond, at home;
Luinda, deceased.
In politics, the subject is a Democrat and has served as supervisor of
his township, though he is not in any sense an office seeker. He and his wife
are members of the United Brethren church in Wabash township, in which
Mr. Wolf takes a very active part. Through the efforts of Mr. Wolf mostly,
this church was built, and at the time the work was projected there was but
five dollars in the treasury, but he pushed the project through to successful
outcome. He has always been a liberal supporter of the church and, though
not an educated man, he is a close, reader and a deep thinker and is generally
considered a well-informed man. He is public-spirited and took a prominent
1 1 14 PAST AND PRESENT
part in securing the construction of many of the gravel roads of the com-
munity, donating himself a half-mile of road, \\hen :\Ir. Wolf started out for
himself he had nothing but a team and wagon, and a cow and calf, and the
death of his first wife left him heavily in deljt. but he has paid ofi every dollar
of incumbrance and is now considered a well-to-do man. this situation being
gained only through his own efforts. He is a man of many fine personal
qualities of character and enjoys the warm regard of all who know him.
ERNST J. FLUEGEL. Ph. D.
E. J. Fluegel, educator, and since 1899 head of the department of Ger-
man in Purdue University, is a native of Germany, born at • Frankfort-on-the-
Main, June 30, 1868. His father, Hon. Joseph Fluegel, by profession a law-
yer and for a number of years a judge in his native land, achieved honorable
distinction in the legal profession and wielded a wide influence as an ofidcial
and public-spirited citizen. Hermione Damesburg, wife of Joseph Fluegel,
was a native of Prussia, and bore her husband four children, three sons and
one daughter, the subject of this sketch being the third in order of birth.
After attending the public schools of his native city until finishing the
prescribed course of study, young Ernst o1)tained a knowledge of the higher
branches of learning in a gymnasium, where he completed his preparation
for a university training. Later he was graduated from the Universities of
Strassburg and Berlin, and. in due time, prosecuted his studies and researches
at the University of Bonn, from which, in 1892. he received the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy. Meantime. 1891. he became instructor of German
in the gymnasium of Cologne and. the following year, accepted a position as
tutor in the family of a distinguished German count, which he held from
1892 until 1896 inclusive, when he resigned the place and came to the United
States to engage in educational work on this side of the water. The year
following his arrival he became assistant in modern languages in Tuft's Col-
lege, Massachusetts, where he taught with marked success until 1898 when
he served his connection with that institution for the purpose of accepting
the position of instructor in German in the University of Michigan.
Professor Fluegel remained but one year with the latter institution, when
he resigned to take charge of the department of German in Purrhie Univer-
sity, where he entered upon his studies in 1899 and where he has since at-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND III5
tained high standing as an instructor and a wide reputation among the leachng
educators of Indiana and throughout the central West. From 1902 to 1907
Professor Fhiegel was dean of modern languages in the Winona Summer
School and since 1908 is holding a similar position in the Summer School
of Liberal Arts at Chautauqua, New York, his labors at both places being
eminently satisfactory and adding to his already well-established reputation
as one of the eminent instructors of his day. He was the first president of
the modern language section of the Indiana State Teachers' Association, and
the position which he now holds at Purdue requires the services of five assist-
ants and is attended by seven hundred and sixty students, being one of the
largest, as well as important departments of the university.
Professor Fluegel has always been a close and critical student and in
addition to his regular professional duties has done a great deal of other
educational work, including a number of able contributions to various educa-
tional periodicals, frequent addresses before state teachers' associations, and
other assemblages, and he now has in preparation a technical German Reader,
with notes and vocabulary, which will soon be in readiness for students.
Although an educator and making- his professional work paramount to every
other consideration, the Professor is also an independent thinker and a broad-
minded man of affairs, who keeps in touch with current events and has well
defined opinions on all the great questions in which the people are interested.
His readings and convictions have led him to support the Republican party,
but he can hardly be called a politician, although well informed on the issues
of the day and profoundly versed concerning the principles upon which nien
and parties are at variance. Religiously, the Presbyterian church holds his
creed and since becoming a resident of Lafayette he has been a regular at-
tendant of the second church of that denomination in the city, also a liberal
contributor to its support.
On February 8, 1896, Professor Fluegel was united in marriage with
Mary von Liliencron, daughter of William and Catherine von Liliencron,
of Leipsic, Germany, the union being without issue. The Professor is a fine
type of the accomplished and iwlished German gentleman, possessing a strong,
compact frame, capable of withstanding the vast amount of physical and
mental labor to which it has been subjected, and enabling him to discharge
with comparative ease, duties and responsibilities which to many would prove
onerous and burdensome. His address is pleasing and his manners easy and
attractive and while moving among his fellows conscious of the dignity of his
position, his modesty is liecoming and his presence always a welcome addition
to the social circles in which he moves.
IIl6 PAST AND PRESENT
JAMES CARTER.
Ohio has sent a large numljer of its representative citizens to her sister
state on the west, and among this vast number none deserve more credit for
what they have done in promoting the general interests of the commu-
nities where they have cast their lot in Hoosierdom than James Carter, a
farmer in Jackson township, Tippecanoe county, who has gained prosperity
through his own honest efiforts in connection with the subsequent business
prosperity following the early work of transforming the wilderness into fer-
tile fields and happy homes. Mr. Carter's birth occurred in Ross county,
Ohio, February i8, 1832, and it was there that he received this education, for
the most part, in the old-time subscription schools, and he succeeded in gain-
ing a good education for those times. He is the son of Robert and Elizabeth
(Eyra) Carter, both relatives of Ohio, the former having the distinction of
being the first white child born in Chillicothe, the date of his birth being
1804. His wife was born April 25, 1806. They grew up and married in
Ross county, that state, and lived on a farm there. In the vear 1853 Robert
Carter rode on horseback to Indiana and bought two hundred and seven
acres of land in Jackson township, for which he paid five dollars per acre.
A large part of this land was heavily timbered. In 1855 he moved his
family thereto, bringing them overland in covered wagons. That was in
the late fall and eight days was required to make the trip, having encoun-
tered several snow storms. They erected a rude house and barn upon the
land Mr. Carter had previously purchased, and in time had a comfortable
home and a good income. Mr. Carter later purchased one hundred and
twenty-seven acres additional at twenty-five dollars per acre, making him a
total of three hundred and thirty-four acres of good land which he owned
at the time of his death. His wife died December 28. 1868, when sixty-two
years old, and is buried in the Salem cemetery. Her husband survived her a
number of years, remarrying, his last wife being Sarah A. White, who is
living in Lafayette.
To Robert Carter and his first wife six children were born, an equal
number of boys and girls, four of whom grew to maturity, James of this
review being the oldest in order of birth. The other children are, an infant
died unnamed ; Louise, Abner, Almina and Robert C. Besides James, Rob-
ert C. is the only other child living, and resides in Attica, Indiana, retired.
James Carter remained at home on the farm until his marriage, which
occurred January 6, 1859, in Ross county, Ohio, to Kezia Wheeland, who
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. III7
was born in Ross county, Ohio, April 25, 1839, the daughter of Peter and
Catherine Wheeland, both natives of the Buckeye state, the father of Penn-
sylvania-Dutch descent. They later moved to Missouri, in which state their
deaths occurred. They were the parents of twelve children, Mrs. James
Carter being the eleventh in order of birth. Only one member of this large
family is now living.
When James Carter married he came at once with his bride to Tippe-
canoe county, Indiana, and began working land with his father on the
shares. Having prospered, he later purchased two hundred acres, on which
he now lives, a part being in this county and a part in Putnam county.
He also owns eight hundred acres in New Madrid county, Missouri, near
Portageville. He has made all the improvements on the land where he lives,
having brought it up to the standard of modern twentieth-century farms in
every respect. He has a beautiful and nicely furnished home in the midst of
attractive surroundings, having all modern conveniences, and is well fixed to
spend his declining years in quiet and ease, having been justly rewarded fijr
his long life of honorable industry. He does not take the active interest in
business affairs that he formerly did, but oversees his farm in a general way,
carrying on farming in all its diversified phases in a masterly manner. For
a number of years he bought hogs and sheep which he shipped to various
markets. His land in Missouri is covered with timber in its original state,
which he purchased for speculation purposes. Although seventy-seven years
of age, he is hale and hearty, has an excellent memory and is an interesting
conversationalist.
Mrs. Carter was called to her rest December 28, 1900, at the age of
sixty-one years, and she is sleeping the sleep of the just in the Salem ceme-
tery. She was a woman of fine Christian character and gracious personality
that won hosts of friends.
To Mr. and Mrs. James Carter eight children were born, seven of whom
grew to maturity, one dying in infancy, namely: Emma R., deceased;
EHza A.; Elizabeth R. ; Peter died in infancy; Lettie M. ; Amelia L., de-
ceased; James E. and Robert N. Mr. Carter has eleven grandchildren living,
namely: Grace M. Stephens, Jessie C. Stone, Charles F. Nuss, Harry Nuss,
Cradle Nuss, Ernest Nuss, Irwin (barter, Ora Nuss, Cedric Carter, Byron
Carter and Clara Carter. James Carter is the foster grandfather of Willie
Foster, the adopted son of Mr. and Mrs. John Foster. He also has two
great-grandchildren, Paul Whitehead and Dorothy, Abel.
Among the interesting reminiscences of Mr. Carter is his talk on
Abraham Lincoln, whom he knew well and with whom he frequentlv ate at
IIl8 PAST AND PRESENT
the same table before Mr. Lincoln became President. He was such an
admirer of the Great Emancipator that, although he always believed in
Democratic principles and is now a Democrat, he voted for Mr. Lincoln.
Mr. Carter has never been an office-seeker; however, he has served very cred-
itablv several different times as supervisor of Jackson township. Mrs. Carter
was a member of the Baptist church at the time of her death, and several
members of Mr. Carter's family belong to both the Methodist Episcopal
and the Christian churches. Although not allied with any particular church,
Mr. Carter is a believer in revealed religion and a church-goer, a man who
is known to be scrupulously honest in all his dealings with his fellowmen
and whose charitable impulses have led him to many a worthy deed — in fact,
all who know him are unstinted in their admiration of his worthy and
exemplary life.
CALVIN LESLEY.
One of the well-known men of Perry township, Tippecanoe county, is
Calvin Lesley, who has risen from discouraging environments to a position
of influence by reason of his well-directed energy along w^orthy lines. He
is a native of the community where he now lives, having first seen the light
of day on October i, 1852, the son of Daniel Lesley, who was born Sep-
tember 26, 1793, in Pennsylvania, the son of Jacob Lesley, also a native of
the old Keystone state. Daniel Lesley had no chance to go to school, but
he did not let this hinder him in his life work, for he succeeded without it.
He had the distinction of serving in the war of 1812. He remained in his
native state until 1826, when he went to Ohio, and about 1830 came to Tippe-
canoe county, Indiana, having been preceded by two brothers, John and
Andrew, in 1827. Daniel, a typical pioneer of the bravest and most sterling
type, located in Perry township where he secured eighty acres of timbered
land on which he put up a log cabin and started to make a home. His brothe''
Andrew lived in section i, Perry township. In 1867 Daniel Lesley went to
Shelby county, Illinois, where he bought a farm, on w^hich he died, July 7,
1883. He was twice married, first to Margaret Wyrick, a native of Pennsyl-
vania, and secondly to Elizabeth Witte, who was born near Terre Haute,
Indiana, of Scotch-Irish descent. The Lesleys were originally from Ger-
many. Elizabeth (Witte) Lesley's deatli occurred in .\pril. 1903. To Dan-
iel Lesley and his first wife seven children were born, all now deceased. The
following children were born to Diniel Lesley and his second wife; Mar-
TIPPECANOE COUNTV, IND. . I I 19
garet married John Hudson, of Shelby county, Illinois; Calvin, subject of
this review; Elzina married Jerry Underwood, of Shelby county. Illinois;
George, who has remained single, lix-es in Shelby county, Illinois; Frances
married Eli Francisco, and they live at Arkansas; Archibald married Ellen
Olehigh, of Shelby county, Illinois.
Daniel Lesley devoted his life to farming. He was a Republican. He
believed in education anil tried to give his children every advantage possible.
Calvin, of this review, attended the home schools, but was not able to get a
very extensive text-book training. In 1867 he went to Shelby county, Il-
linois, but returned to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, the following year and
worked for Seno Gunkle and his brother-in-law for ten years, and also
farmed. In 1883 he bought his present farm in section 4, Perry township,
first securing forty acres, to which he added land adjoining until he now
has a fine farm of one hundred acres, a part of which is in Washington
township, all in a good state of cultivation and so managed as to yield a
comfortable income. He has lived on his present farm since 1884. and,
having always been a farmer, he is well abreast of the times in this line. He
has made all the improvements on his place. For three and one-half years
he was connected with the elevator at Buck Creek. For a man who started
in life poor, what Mr. Lesley has accomplished shows that he is made of
sterner stuff than the average man.
On January 18, 1872, Mr. Lesley was married to Mary Crider, a native
of Madison county, Indiana, a daughter of William and Nancy (Whitaker)
Crider, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Ohio. They
lived in Madison county, Indiana, and later came to Tippecanoe county, lo-
cating in Washington township. Mr. Crider died in i860 and Mrs. Crider
followed him to the grave in 1865. They were the parents of twelve chil-
dren. Those living are James, of Washington township, this county; Mark,
of Lafayette; Ellen, of Washington township; Mary, wife of Calvin Leslev
of this review.
To Mr. and Mrs. Cah'in Lesley eight children were born, nameh' :
Charles D.. an attorney at Dayton, Indiana; he was educated at A'alparaiso
University and also at the State University at Bloomington, Indiana, also
studied at the Law School in Indianapolis. He was a teacher for fifteen
years, and was very successful in that line, as he is now in law. He married
Louise Church and they have two children, Pauline and Louis. Arthur E.
Lesley was educated at Valparaiso University, and has taught for twelve
years, at present being the efficient principal of the schools at West Point,
this state; he married Alice Cole. Bruce S. Lesley married Lulu Nalley. and
they pre the pr.rents of forr childrer, Cecil \'. ( deceased). Helen A.. Larra E.
II20 PAST AND PRESENT
and Robert B. Bruce S. Lesley is a fanner in Perry township. Curtis W.
Lesley, a fireman on the Wabash raih-oad at Lafayette, married Xellie Blood,
and they have two children, Mary A. and Alma. William C. has been teach-
ing for the past six years in Washington township ; he married Ethel Munea
and they are the parents of three children, two of whom are deceased, the
living child being Julia F. George L. died at the age of one year. Mary C.
married Orville Spencer, who manages an elevator in Washington township.
Oliver A., the youngest child, is still a member of the home circle.
]\Ir. Lesley is deputy assessor of Perry township, and in his political
affiliations he is a Republican. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Lodge
No. 425, at Buck Creek, Indiana ; he also belongs to Lodge No. 497, Knights
of Pythias, at Buck Creek. He has given his children all a good education
and the entire family ranks high in Perry township socially. Mrs. Lesley
is a member of the United Brethren church, to which she gives her earnest
support.
TOHX FLACK.
Among the names of prominent farmers of Tippecanoe township is
found that of John Flack. Successful as a stockman, he has gained a wide
acquaintance and has by his business foresight made for himself a fortune
that indeed is not a small one. Coming in 1884 to Tippecanoe county from
Fountain county, he settled in the township where he now resides. He pur-
chased a farm of one hundred and forty acres, to which he has added until
he now holds title to two hundred and sixty acres of the- best land in the
county, valued at one hundred dollars per acre.
]\Ir. Flack was born in county Cavan, Ireland, in February, 1S49, ^^h^
son of Samuel and Mary (Bell) Flack. Samuel Flack was an honest, hard-
working man, and, hearing of the wider scope for activity in America, he
decided to cast his lot in the new land. Accordingly, in 1863, he embarked.
Not having the money to bring his family with him on the first trip he came
to America alone and secured work first at Fort Schuyler. He later went
to live at Shawnee Mound, in Tippecanoe county, and it was while work-
ing at this place that he sent for his family. Later they moved to the city of
Lafayette.
When a young man, Samuel Flack had married in Ireland. His first
wife dying, he remarried, and it was his second wife that came to America.
Bv the first marriage four children were born, as follows : John, Mary
Ann. Hugh and ]\Iaggie. In early life the daughter took up church work,
JOHN FLACK
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 1I2I
decided to devote the remainder of her life to this work, and entered a
convent in Pennsylvania, where she is now a Catholic sister. John and Hugh
did farm work in Tippecanoe county, getting small monthly wages. Later
they went to Fountain county to seek similar employment. John received
fifty dollars in money for his first year's work and his employer furnished
his clothing. He nurtured a desire to acquire greater learning, and while
working on the farm he managed to get in three months in the country school.
After the end of the first year his employer paid him eighteen dollars a month,
and he continued to serve this man for ten years, at the end of which time
the young man was ahead two thousand dollars. He then decided to be-
gin life on his own responsibility. He bought a team and a few implements
and began farming in Fountain county. He remained in that county for one
year and then moved to Tippecanoe county, where he started on a small
scale, but worked hard and finally has succeeded in gaining a competence.
It was in 1884 that Air. Flack married Jennie Stewart, who was born
and reared in ^^■isconsin. To them were born three children, as follows :
Mary E., in October, 1889: Stewart, on February 28, 1891 ; and George
^^'., February 22, 1894. INIary E. has successfully completed her common
and liigh school courses. ha\-ing graduated from the Battle Ground high
school in 1909.
The personal side of Mr. Flack's life has been a pleasant and an upright
one. He is a prominent member of the Battle Ground ^Methodist Episcopal
church, being a trustee in the congregation. For twelve years he served as
w-orshipful master of Battle Ground Lodge, No. 313, Free and Accepted
Masons, and has also been chancellor commander of Tippecanoe Lodge, No.
273, Knights of Pythias, and he has represented both these lodges in the
grand lodge.
In politics ]Mr. Flack is a stanch Republican, and has been active in the
partv life in the county, his counsel being always sought when a critical
issue is at hand. He is one of the stable men of the county, his pleasant
home being hospitable and comfortable. He owns a fine fi\e-passenger
Cameron automobile and he is a well-known figure, driving the elegant ma-
chine about the countrv.
FRANCIS MARION CONES, D. D.
Varied, useful and adventurous has been the career of the chaplain of
the Soldiers' Home at Lafayette, who is spending the evening of his life in
(71)
1 122 PAST AND PRESENT
comforting the ailing veterans and administering to their spiritual needs. His
parents, Joseph and Nancy (Gregg) Cones, were natives of Kentucky, who
became pioneers of Indiana at what the local historians call "in eirly days."
We find them in Hancock county in the thirties, in Clinton county in the
sixties, and subsecjuently in Boone county, the occupations of the father being
farming and merchandising. He was born in 1805 and died in 1868, his
wife's birth occurring in 1808. and her death in 1894. Francis 2\Iarion
Cones, one of the seven brothers of the original family of ten children, was
born at New Palestine, Hancock county, Indiana, November 17, 1836. His
first. school attendance was in the Clinton county public schools, followed by
three years in the Thorntown Academy, from which he was graduated in
i860. Shortly after this the current of his life was broken by the great shock
of the Civil war, which was destined to make and unmake many men and
give an impress to the minds of millions that would endure to the end of their
days. August 14, 1862, he entered as a private in Company I, Eighty-sixth
Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Captains Lambert and Carna-
han and Colonels O. H. Hamilton and George F. Dick, who commanded the
company and regiment at dififerent times. His service was only of five
months' duration, being cut short by ill health, caused by exposure while on
duty, which compelled his discharge at Bowling Green. Kentucky. Return-
ing north, Mr. Cones took up the profession of teaching, first at West La-
fayette and later at other places. Subsequently he was elected a professor in
the Thorntown Academy, and was there associated with John Clark Ridpath,
the eminent scholar and historian. At a later period he went to Asljury
University to take the classical course of study and had the honor of receiv-
ing his degree m 1872 from Bishop Thomas Bowman, the president, who still
survives at the advanced age of ninety-two years. In this class were several
persons noted subsequently as missionaries, viz. : Rev. John Blackstock and
Rev. Howell Pyke, as also was Governor Buchtel, of Colorado. After leav-
ing college, Mr. Cones traveled in the south for his health one year, later
on taught for two years as principal in the Cookston Seminary at Parksville.
Tennessee, and in 1875 entered the Holston conference of the ^Methodist
Episcopal church, his first charge being at Leicester, North Carolina. After
a year at this place he was transferred to Greenville, Tennessee, for a service
of twelve months, after which he was elected professor of Latin in Holston
Seminary at New iNLarket. Tennessee, but only held this position a year be-
fore returning north to enter upon a number of pastoral charges, which,
under the itinerant system of the IMethodist church, lasted only for brief
periods. Thus we find him at .A-sbury, Kentucky, for a year, and in charge of
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. II23
a congregation near Newport for one year. Then followed two years de-
voted to a vice-principalship at Thorntown Academy, followed by a return
south in 1882, to accept a conference pastoral appointment to Kingston,
Tennessee. From there he was called home in Indiana by the sudden death
of his brother. Doctor Cones, a practicing physician, and later spent one
year each at Rossville, Whitestown, Clark's Hill and Remington, in all of
these places having charge of important congregations. Returning south in
1898, he was appointed field agent at Sevierville, Tennessee, for a year for
Murphy College. Next he was appointed pastor for a year at North Knox-
ville, Tennessee, and the next year at Elizabethton, Tennessee; then he was
appointed assistant principal of Wesleyan Academy at Chemkey, Tennessee.
In January, 1904, he was appointed chaplain of the State Soldiers' Home at
Lafayette and has since so continued. He has written a unique history
of Thorntown Academy, a denominational institution under the supervision
of the Methodist Episcopal church, located at Thorntown, Indiana.* This
school had a history of thirteen years and was desei"vingly popular. It filled
a niche in the educational history of the state in the years when the funds
for public school support were much limited. This institution was founded
in 1855 and closed its work as a denominational school at the close of the
academic year in 1868.
In 1897 Mr. Cones received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy from
Harriman University in Tennessee, and in 1905 Taylor University, of Up-
land. Indiana, conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Divinity, ^^'hile
residing at Thorntown he was chaplain, adjutant and post commander of
Lookout Valley Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, department of
Indiana, and is on the memorable list of pensioners, drawing twenty-four
dollars a month. He is a member of Jasper Packard Post, No. 589, Grand
Army of the Republic, located at the Soldiers' Home at Lafayette, Indiana,
has charge of all the religious services and associations of this home, his
duties being many and varied. He loves his work and is in close touch with
all his people. Cheerful and optimistic in temperament, of deep convictions,
and sincere in all his conduct, Doctor Cones is a fine type of the American
pastor, as well as the American man and citizen.
LUTHER TULL.
An enumeration of those men of the present generation in Tippecanoe
county who have won public recognition for themselves, and at the snme time
1 124 PAST AND PRESENT
have honored the locaHty to which they belong, would be incomplete were
there failure to make mention of the one whose name forms the caption of
this sketch, who is a substantial and highly respected citizen of Fairfield
township. Luther Tull, one of the leading agriculturists of this county and
one of the best known citizens of Fairfield township, was born in Washing-
ton township, this county, March lo, 1861, the son of Isaac and Elizabeth
(Brown) Tull, both natives of Ross county, Ohio. They came to Tippecanoe
county, Indiana, when young and here married. Isaac Tull was educated
in the common schools. After his marriage he located in Washington town-
ship, Tippecanoe county, and in 1866 moved to Fairfield township, where he
purchased thirty acres of partly improved land in section 2. There he de-
veloped a valuable farm and also found time to operate a threshing machine
for many years, making a success of both and becoming well known through-
out that part of the county. He was an active Republican, but was not a
public man. He was highly respected and his death, which occurred January
22, 1871, was lamented by all his neighbors, as was also that of his wife
in October, 1873. She was a member of the United Brethren church. Their
family consisted of five children, namely : William, Charles, Louisa, all de-
ceased; Luther, of this review; John, a farmer living near Delphi, Indiana.
Luther Tull had but little opportunity to attend school, but he made
good use of what he did have. He lived with an uncle, John Wolf, at Col-
burn. Indiana, for three years, and he also lived with a Doctor Anderson for
sometime. On June 2, 1885, Mr. Tull was married to Catherine J. Ely, who
was born in Fairfield township on the place where Luther Tull now lives.
She is the daughter of Philip and Sarah (Buck) Ely, the former of Fair-
land township, this county, and the latter of Perry township. Philip Ely
was the son of Henry and Mary (Isley) Ely. He was born in Berks county,
Pennsylvania, December 18. 1797, and was the son of Henry and Ann
(Apple) Ely, of German extraction. His mother died when he was nine
years old and his father again married. He went to Ohio in 1825 and the
following year came to Tippecanoe county. Indiana. He married May Isley,
of Montgomery county, Ohio. She was born July 9. 1810, and was the
daughter of Daniel Isley. He settled on one hundred and sixty acres of
land in Fairfield township, and died May i, 1864, his widow surviving until
July 10, 1887. They were members of the United Brethren church, and their
family consisted of eleven children, of whom those living are James, a resi-
dent of Texas; Annie of Lafayette, Indiana; Sarah lived in Washington
township, this county; Jennie lives in Michigan City, Indiana. The follow-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. II25
ing named children are deceased : Philip, John, Henry, Daniel, Jacob, Kate
and Susan.
Sarah Buck was the daughter of Joseph Buck, born in Lehigh county,
Pennsylvania, September 13, 1799. His father was John Joseph Buck, a
native of the same state, of German ancestry. This family moved from
Pennsylvania to Butler county, Ohio, in 1816, and Joseph Buck married
Catherine Widnes. In 1829 they came to Tippecanoe county and settled in
section 17, Perry township, securing one hundred and sixty acres of timber
land, having entered this the year previous. He cleared the land, made a
good home, dying there in 1865. He and his wife were members of the
United Brethren church, and in politics he was a Democrat. They were the
parents of eight children, namely : Daniel, deceased ; Samuel lived in Perry
township; Elizabeth and Eliza are both deceased; Susan married John Sing-
ley, of Fairfield township, where they now reside ; Sarah first married Philip
Ely, and then Allen Overley; she died August 22, 1901. Philip Ely died
August 30, 1878, and Allen -Overley died November 15, 1S91. John is de-
ceased, as is also the eighth child, Elias. Mrs. Joseph Buck died in 1846.
Following are the names of the children born to Philip Ely and wife:
Catherine J., wife of Luther Tull, of this review, born March 30, 1861;
Cornelius J., born December 27, 1865, died June 27, 1866; Sarah J., born
February 24, 1871. died when two years old. Allen 0\-erley and wifed reared
a son, George, now living in Lafayette, Indiana, employed in the Monon
railroad shops. Philip Ely was educated in the common schools and he was
always a farmer, a Democrat in politics and a very active member of the
United Brethren church. He cleared a great deal of land and lived con-
tentedly on his farm in Fairfield township.
To Mr. and Mrs. Luther Tull one daughter,, Lida May, was born. She
was educated in the home schools at Lafayette, with one year in high school
and also a course in a business college. She is also a graduate in music,
being a very skilled musician, and she has taught music very successfully.
She is at this writing stenographer and bookkeeper for J. M. Miller, a real
estate and insurance dealer in Lafayette.
Ever since their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Tull have lived on their pres-
ent farm in Fairfield township. He has devoted his entire life to farming,
with the result that he is regarded as one of the leading agriculturists in
his community, carrying on general farming in a manner that shows him
to be abreast of the times. Mr. and Mrs. Tull are members of the Baptist
church of Lafayette, and they are popular both in the city and throughout
Fairfield township.
1 126 PAST AND PRESENT
JOSEPH WISE.
When Joseph Wise and his sister Catherine in childhood played about
the old Wise homestead in Alsace-Lorraine, then a part of France, where
the former was born June 14, 1840. they talked of a life of adventure and
agreed that when they had grown older they would cross the great briny
deep and with their own eyes see America, of which country they had heard
so much. Their parents, John and Annie (Fry) Wise, both of whom were
natives of Alsace where they spent their lives on a farm, both long since
joining the phantom army in the silent land, did not encourage their chil-
dren in this, to them, a very uncertain undertaking, especially to people of
their tender years. But it was hard for them to properly care for their family
of eight children, of whom only Joseph and his sister Annie, of France, are
now living, and the old parents finally acquiesced in the plan to come to the
New World, and thus with a blessing sent their two children out from the
old roof-tree, bidding them God-speed on their long trip. Joseph was then
(1859) nineteen years old, and he had a fairly good education, having
attended the schools in his native community while not at work on the home
farm assisting in the support of the family. He and Catherine boarded an
old-fashioned sailing vessel, and, after a voyage of forty-two days, landed
at the port of New York full of youthful ardor and hope. They soon made
their way westward to Wayne county, Ohio, where their brother had al-
ready located, and with him Joseph remained two years and then came to
Adams county, Indiana, where he was employed in clearing the then woody
land for a period of two years. He then went to Benton county, Indiana,
where he remained one year, then moved to Clinton county, later to Tippe-
canoe. Having saved his earnings, he was enabled to purchase eighty acres
of land three miles east of Rossville, which was then covered with timber ;
but he set to work with a will to clear the land and establish a home, which
he eventually did and has since enjoyed a comfortable income from his
farming as a result of his habits of industry and his good management. In
1866 Mr. Wise disposed of this eighty-acre farm and purchased forty-five
acres one mile north of Pettit, this county, and he lived on that place for
twentv vears. clearing and improving it, transforming it into a veritable
garden. He added to this and finally owned eightj'-five acres there. Sell-
ing this place in 1885, he bought where he now lives in section i, Fairfield
township, owning at this time one hundred and five acres, on which he has
made many valuable improvements, having cleared twenty acres himself, and
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. II2J
he raises wheat, corn, hay and oats in abundance, doing a general farming
business and is very comfortably situated, having a commodious dwelling
and good outbuildings and, plenty of stock on his place.
Mr. Wise was married January i, 1865, to Margaret Ginder, a native
of Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, and to this union eleven children have been
born, namely: Samuel, a machinist employed in Mason City, Iowa, married
Mary Freed and has four children; Benjamin is a farmer in Calhoun county,
Iowa, married Ella King and has six children; Annie, the wife of Charles
Hendrickson, of Tippecanoe county, Indiana, is the mother of four children;
Caroline (deceased) married William Amstutz, lived in Perry township and
had five children; Catherine is single and living at home; John, a farmer in
Fail-field township, married Pearl Clawson and has two children; Bertha
married Ed McLaughlin, of Lafayette, and has two children; Mattie mar-
ried Lewis Beaver, of Fairfield township; Emma is the wife of Bert Jenkin-
son, of Lafayette; Daniel died when sixteen years of age.
Mr. Wise has never aspired to positions of public trust ; however, he
takes an interest in the public welfare. He is a member of the Mennonite
church. He is a good sample of a truly self-made man and is deserving of
much credit for what he has accomplished and the honorable life he has
lived.
EDWARD HUBERTZ.
A native of Perry township, Tippecanoe county, and a man who has
proven to be one of the most scientific and progressive agriculturists of the
same since he has reached man's estate is Edward Hubertz. whose date of
birth was August 28, 1877. A criterion of his business ability and his high
standing in the community is found in the fact that he is the present assessor
of his township. He is the son of Stephen and ^Margaret (Duffy) Hubertz,
the former born in Germany, March i, 1847, and came to America with his
parents in 1854. They settled two miles east of Lafayette where they began
farming, later purchasing land in section 3, Perry township. Their farm
of eighty acres Avas all in timber, but Mr. Hubertz and his son cleared if
and made a good home, and here the parents died. Their family consisted
of four sons and two daughters, namely: Mathias, John, Kate, Marv,
Stephen and William. Stephen Hubertz, father of Edward, was educated in
the common schools. He remained at home taking care of his aged parents
— in fact, he still lives on the old place in Perry township where he has sue-
1125 PAST AND PRESENT
ceeded as a farmer. He never aspired for public office, although he is an
active Democrat. He is a member of the St. Lawrence Catholic church al
Lafayette, Indiana. Their family consisted of six children, namely : John,
who married Mary Alberts, is a farmer in Perry township; Dora is the wife
of Charles Batta, of West Point. Indiana; Edward, of this review; Ben-
jamin, a farmer in White county, Indiana, married Lena Batta; Margaret
married Oliver Rusk, of Lafayette; Elizabeth is single and living at home.
Edward Hubertz received a fairly good education in the home schools,
and remained under the parental roof-tree until he was twenty-four years
old. On February 20, 1906, he married Catherine Batta, a native of Perry
township, this county, the daughter of Nicholas and Celia (Youst) Batta,
the former a native of Germany. Celia Youst also came from the Father-
land, having been born near Berlin. The father came to America in 1840
when seventeen years of age, accompanied by his parents who settled in
Perry township and died there. In their family were twelve children, name-
ly: Julia, William, Charles, George, John, Catherine, Mary, Magdaline,
Bernard, Anthony, Rosie and Margaret. Nicholas Batta died September 11,
1904. He followed farming for the most part for a livelihood, his farm
having been located in Shelby township. His widow still lives there. Two
daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Edward Hubertz, Margaret J.,
born December 11, 1907, and Lauretta Cecelia, born October 8, 1909.
After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Hubertz went to White county, In-
diana, locating in Round Grove township, where they remained for two years
and then came to Perry township, Tippecanoe county, locating near Heath
where they have since remained, living on the Lesley place ever since. Mr.
Hubertz has devoted his life to farming with gratifying results. He carries
on general farming, and also handles some good stock. He has become well
known in this locality. In politics he is a Democrat, active in local afifairs
and he is now, as already stated, faithfully serving as township assessor.
He is a member of the St. Lawrence Catholic church, and he is regarded as
one of the leading young farmers of the township.
ANDREW J. DOWNS.
The family of this name comes from an early pioneer of Ross county,
Ohio, and the name was familiar in that section during the formative period
of the state. William Downs, a son of the first settler, was born in Ross
county, was engaged in farming all his life and ended his days in his native
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. II29
place. He had fifteen children, a third of them daughters, and all lived to
maturity. His son William married Rachael Green, born near Wheeling,
Virginia, and with her he came to Indiana, in 1843, locating in Tippecanoe
county. He met with fair success as a farmer for those days, and when the
final summons came was the owner of one hundred and fifty acres of land.
He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his
politics were first Whig and then Republican. Of his fifteen children seven
lived to maturity. Ann is the widow of Edward Edmonds, of Dundee, Il-
linois; Sarah is dead. Allie, the widow of C. C. Moore, of Pond Grove,
Warren county, Indiana; Eliza, the wife of John Robinson, Lincoln, Ne-
braska; Catherine is the widow of J. W. Jamison, of Lafayette.
Andrew J. Downs, one of the survivors of this family, was born in Ross
county, Ohio, September 2, 1835. He was about eight years old when his
parents settled in Tippecanoe county, and as he grew up he helped on the
farm after the manner of pioneer boys. In due time he became a farmer
on his own account and has followed this occupation all his life, the only
interruption being four years spent in the livery business at Lafayette. In
1857, Mr. Downs married Mary F. Tuttle, a native of Fountain county, In-
diana, by whom he had eight children: Byron P. Downs, born in 1859, of
Rensselaer, Indiana; Rachael, born in iSf)!. at home: \\'illiani. of Lafayette,
born in 1863, was in the Spanish-American war; Harry M., of Wea town-
ship, born September, 1865; Edward L., of Lafayette, born in 1867; and
Clark B., of the Panhandle, Texas, born in 1870. The mother died February
27, 1900, and Mr. Downs was married September 11, 1901, to Sarah, daugh-
ter of Isaiah and Elizabeth Wharton, born March 20, 1859. The parents
were natives of Ohio. Mrs. Downs was educated in the public schools of
Greencastle, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Downs are members of the Methodist
Episcopal church at Battle Ground. He is past master of Battle Ground
Lodge, No. 313, Free and Accepted Masons. His first presidential vote was
cast for John C. Fremont, in 1856, and he has been a consistent Republican
ever since. He owns seventy-two and a half acres of land in section 3, of
Tippecanoe township, manages his own farm and stands well with his
neighbors. As a member of the pioneer families, he shares the credit due
those who rescued Tippecanoe county from the wilderness, changed forests
into farms, and started this section on its way to the highly developed agri-
cultural region observable on all sides. It took a hard battle to do this, theirs
was much suffering and privation, much sickness and death ; but amidst it all
the Downs family bravely bore their parts and deserve recognition among
the "nation builders," as counties are formed of townships, states of counties
and the union of states.
PAST AND PRESEN1
NOAH JUSTICE.
This is the name of a quiet and unobtrusive farmer who Hves in Tippe-
canoe township on a highly improved farm, attends strictly to business, treats
everybody right, asks no favors out of order and altogether makes a good
citizen. He is the type of a class who own much of the best land in Indiana
and by good management have made it highly productive. It is to them we
owe the celebrity of the state in agriculture, and their descendants give
promise of improving on their fathers as the result of the scientific training
now in easy reach of all at Purdue University. The older generation, how-
ever, will always be entitled to much credit for what they have done as
they had to bear the burden when farming was not so easy as now. The
Justice family have long been identified with the development of Tippe-
canoe county. George K. Justice, now deceased, is well remembered by the
older generation as a well-to-do farmer and all-around citizen. He married
Martha Young, now deceased, by whom he had a number of children, of
whom only four are living. Flora, the oldest, is the wife of Samuel Moore,
of Ft. Morgan, Colorado; Rhoda married Freedon Clark, and George K.
resides in Tippecanoe township.
Noah Justice, the other survivor, was born in Tippecanoe township,
Tippecanoe county. November 2, 1864. As he grew up he learned all about
■farm work, but had little chance to go to school and consequently was a
little short on book-learning when he reached his majority. This defect,
however, he made up in after life by reading and observation, going to the
best of schools — the Academy of Experience — and taking note of things as
they actually happened. Such men are usually the best informed on the sub-
jects which it is the most useful for them to know. He has made a succe-^s
of his business, as any one can see who visits his pretty farm of one hundred
acres in Tippecanoe township. Everything is in apple-pie order, the farming
implements, the residence, the stock well stabled, the fences and outbuildings
kept in repair. Besides his home place, Mr. Justice owns forty-one acres
in partnership. He has also paid a good deal of attention to livestock and
one can always find fat hogs, sleek horses, lowing herds and other animals
around, always of the best breeds.
Mr. Justice married Anna Hurst, member of one of the old families
of the county, and by this union there were six children. Rosela E.. James
E.. Grace E., Flora. George and Noah. Mr. Justice is a member of the
MR. AND MRS. JAMES HURST
TIPPECAN^OE COUNTY, IND. II3I
Home Insurance Lodge, and carries a life policy in the same. In politics he
is a Republican, though never a seeker of office and has long been respected
as one of the thrifty and well-to-do citizens of Tippecanoe township.
JAMES HURST.
The founder of the Hurst family in America was an Irish immigrant
who married a French woman and was among the early settlers of Indiana.
His son, Thomas A., born near Madisonville, Indiana, in 1822, went with
his family to FuUon county in 1844. He located on new land and farmed
until his death in 1868. Of his thirteen children, all grew to maturity, and
six are still living. Four of the sons served most creditably as soldiers for
the Union during the trying days of the Civil war. . After the close of the
war two sons enlisted in the regular army, their names being Allen and Wil-
liam, both now deceased. John A. was in an Illinois regiment. Stephen A.
and Thomas J. were members of Company A, Twenty-sixth Indiana Regi-
ment. James Hurst, the other Union soldier, was born in Fulton county,
Indiana, February 26, 1847. When still a mere boy he enlisted, in Feb-
ruary, 1864, in Company E, Eighty-seventh Regiment Indiana Volunteer
Infantry, with which he saw much hard service before the final muster-out.
He was with Sherman in his celebrated campaign from Chattanooga to At-
lanta, took part in the siege and fall of that stronghold, went on the famous
"march to the sea" and witnessed the surrender of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston
in North Carolina. Mr. Hurst is justly proud of his record as one of the
defenders of his country, and receives an honorable pension of thirty dollars
a month in recognition of his services. After leaving the army he returned
to Fulton county, but soon removed to Tippecanoe which has ever since been
the scene of his activities.
In 1867 Mr. Hurst married Nancy Freel, who was born in Tippecanoe
county, December 28, 1846, and has spent all her life in her native neighbor-
hood. Her father, Charles Freel, was a Union soldier in Company E, One
Hundred and Thirty-fifth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and reached
the rank of corporal. His son Charles was a member of Company D, For-
tieth Indiana Regiment, and thus it will be seen that the Hurst family have
an unusually creditable military record on both sides of the house. Mr. and
Mrs. Hurst have had ten children, six living and four deceased ; Fannie, the
eldest, is the wife of James Bounty, of Lafayette; Anna married Xoah Jus-
I 132 PAST AND PRESENT
tice, Jr. ; Charles and George are residents of Lafayette ; Pearl is the wife of
Ford Holsimer, of this county, and Ward is a farmer in Tippecanoe town-
ship. The family are members of the United Brethren church of Battle
Ground, and Mr. Hurst belongs to John A. Logan Post, No. 3. Grand Army
of the Republic, at Lafayette. In politics he is a Democrat, but not an
ofifice seeker and in no sense of the word a politician. He has always been
devoted to farming, likes his calling and has done well at the business, though
it involved much hard work. He is a good citizen and good neighbor, with
the result that he has many friends and is generally esteemed.
JOHN B. SWISHER.
The founders of the Indiana branch of the Swisher family were orig-
inally Pennsylvanians, but joined the western tide of emigration during the
earlier half of the nineteenth century. Samuel Swisher when a young man
emigrated to Ohio and located in Champaign county, where he met Philadel-
phia Dickey, patriotically named after the city of her birth. They were
married and not a great while after crossed the line into Indiana, where they
found a home in 1842, in a county seat. Here they occupied a farm, made
their living in the manner customary in those early days and finally com-
pleted the period of existence allotted to them in the unobtrusive way char-
acteristic of tillers of the soil. The father died August 12, 1877, and his
wife May 18, 1900, at Monon, White county. Their children were Levi, a
Union soldier ; Nathan, who was killed at Kingston, North Carolina, during
the Civil war ; John B., Lydia, Harriet, Perry and Ida.
John B. Swisher, third in tht above list, was born on his father's farm.
in Jasper county, Indiana, January 7, 1850. He remained under the parental
roof until he was fourteen years old, and at this tender age went forth to
fight the battles of life with a firm, resolute heart and determination to win.
Hiring by the month as a farm hand, he held to this hard job until he could
do better, and in time was able to improve his fortunes. He came to Tippe-
canoe county, in October, 1866, and has remained a resident ever since. May
2, 1878, he married Emma F., daughter of Stephen A. and Mary W. (Daw-
son) Hurst. The father was born near Martinsville, Indiana, December 28,
1834, and his wife in Tippecanoe county. October 28, 1839. They had
children, Emma, Harry, Orry, Mary J. Mrs. Swisher was born March S,
1859, on the old homestead known as the Dawson farm, it being one of the
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 1 1 33
noted places of that part of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Swisher have one
child, Fred C, born October i, 1879. He was married to Hazel Hoover on
March 4, 1909, and they live at Battle Ground. Mrs. Swisher is a mem-
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church and of Rebekah Lodge, No. 368, in
wrhich she has passed all the chairs and represented the order in the grand
lodge. Mr. Swisher is a member of Battle Ground Lodge, No. 6590, Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and Tecumseh Encampment, No. 292. He
is also a member of Rebekah Lodge, No. 368, has passed all the chairs in
subordinate and encampment and represented both in the grand lodge. In
politics he is a Republican, being the first of his family to vote that ticket.
He and his wife own eighty-five acres of land in Tippecanoe township, which
he cultivates with success, and he is also manager and one of the directors
of the Battle Ground Telephone Company. He was injured some time ago
by the falling of a tree, but his general health remains good. He is re-
garded as one of the best citizens in his township and has the esteem of all.
WILLIAM A. AMSTUTZ.
Reared to the sturdy discipline of the homestead farm, during all the
succeeding years of his life Wiliiam A. Amstutz has not wavered in his al-
legiance to the great basic art of agriculture. To the public schools he is
indebted for the early education privileges which were his, and he duly avail-
ed himself of the same, while he has effectively broadened his knowledge
through active association with men and afifairs in practical business life
which has placed him well in the front rank of citizens of Perry township,
Tippecanoe county. His birth occurred in Adams county, Indiana, January
8, 1869, the son of Jacob, who was born near Bluffton, Ohio. The latter
married Barbara Staffon, a nati-\'e of Germany. ' She came to America in
1854 when eleven years of age and located in Adams county, Indiana, where
she married Jacob Amstutz, Avho grew to maturity in his native community
in Ohio and came to Adams county, Indiana, when a young man. He piu"-
chased eighty acres of wild land, which he cleared and improved. In 1876
he left that locality and came to Tippecanoe county, locating in Perry town-
ship, where he got forty acres in section 16, later adding another forty. On
this place there stood an old log house and a stable built after the same fash-
ion, but these gave way in time as he prospered to more modern and com-
modious buildings and the place was put under excellent improvements, hav-
I 1 34 PAST AND PRESENT
ing built his home in 1888 and his barn in 1891. He was a first-class fanner
and prospered. His death occurred in March, 1908; his widow still lives
on the place. She is a member of the Mennonite church, as was also her
husband. Their happy home ^\as blessed by the birth of eight children, five
of whom are living at this writing, namely : Emma, who has remained
single, is a member of the home circle; William A., of this review; Sarah
married Raymond Watkins, of Perry- township; Mary married David Sutter
of Perry township; Henry married Anna Spitzr.agle, and he is farming in
Wea township.
William A. Amstutz was reared in the faith of the Mennonites — in fact,
he attended a school under the auspices of this denomination. He assisted
with the work on the home place until his marriage, December 31, 1891, to
Caroline Wise, who was born in Perry township, the daughter of Joseph
Wise, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Five children have
been born to Mr. and Mrs. William A. Amstutz, as follows: Edith, Earl,
Matilda, Everett and Luella. Mrs. Amstutz died January 4, 1909.
After his marriage, Mr. Amstutz lived in Mulberry, Indiana, for one
year and then worked his father's place for one year. Then he purchased
ninety-five acres where he now lives in Perry township, it being a well im-
proved and highly productive place. On it stands an excellent and com-
fortable home, erected in 1906, and a good barn, built in 1903 — in fact, all
the up-to-date improvements one sees on this place now were made by Mr.
Amstutz. He carries on general farming, paying especial attention to the
raising of wheat, oats, corn and hay. He takes a great deal of interest in
livestock and some excellent breeds are always to be found on his farm, such
as shorthorn cattle, draft horses and Poland-China hogs. He has operated
a corn shredder for a number of years.
Mr. Amstutz can claim all the honor accorded him for what he has ac-
complished, for he started in life with nothing, but he is now one of the sub-
stantial men of his community, as a result of his close application to duty and
his persistency. He and his wife are members of the ]\Iennonite church.
SAMUEL BUCIv.
This venerable citizen of Perry township is one of the honored and in-
teresting pioneers of Tippecanoe county, and he has been a very active man
in the development of this locality, having witnessed the wonderful growth
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 1 1 35
of the country from its wild woods and rude liuts to one of the most fertile
and thriving sections of the state. Samuel Buck was born in Perry town-
ship, this county, March 8, 1834, the son of Joseph Buck, who was born in
Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, September 13, 1799. The father of the latter
was John Christopher Buck, a native of the old Keystone state, whose an-
cestors were of German origin. Joseph Buck was seventeen years old when
his father went to Butler county, Ohio, and there married Catherine Widner.
They remained in that state until 1829 and then came to Tippecanoe county,
Indiana, and settled in section 17. Perry township, where he secured one
hundred and sixty acres of land which he had entered the year previous.
Here he developed a good farm by dint of hard toil and lived on the same
until his death, in September, 1865. He was a rugged and honest man, high-
ly esteemed, a member of the United Brethren church and a Democrat. He
and his wife were the parents of eight children, namely: Daniel, Samuel,
Elizabeth, Eliza, Susan, Sarah, John and Elias. Two of them are now liv-
ing, Samuel, of this review, and Sarah, widow of John Singerly, of Fairfield
township. The wife of Joseph Buck passed to her rest in 1846.
The education of Samuel Buck was obtained in the rude log cabins of
the early days, equipped with puncheon seats and greased paper for window
panes; his schooling was limited. He worked on the home place hel])ing
clear and ditch the same during his boyhood. He was first married in July,
1864. to Ellen Smither. who died in 1870, after becoming the mother of the
following children : John, who has remained single, is living with his
father; Rufina Alice is deceased. The second marriage of Sam-
uel Buck was solemnized on June 10, 1875, ^o Elizabeth Belcoma, widow of
Jacob Belcoma, a native of Holland, who died in 1870. Elizabeth Palmer
was born in 1849 at Alecklenburg, Germany. By her second husband, the
subject, she became the mother of two children, the first, an infant son,
dying unnamed; Minnie, the second child, is still a member of the family
circle. By her first marriage to Mr. Belcoma, Mrs. Buck had two children,
namely: William Belcoma, who lives at Battle Ground, Indiana, and Mary
the wife of Daniel Gushwa, of Fairfield township.
Mr. Buck has devoted his life to the tilling of the soil and now in the
evening of his life he finds himself surrounded by plenty as the result of his
earlier years of toil. He has a neat little place and a good home. He has
long been a Democrat, Init has never aspired to public office, preferring to
lead a quiet home life and devote his attention to his farming. He is a
member of the United Brethren church. Useless to say that he is well known
throughout the county and has hosts of warm friends here, for his life has
been honorable in every respect.
[36 PAST AND PRESENT
CHARLES H. CLEAVER.
The Cleaver family were originally from Maryland. We first hear of
Ann Cleaver, a widow and nine children, six boys and three girls. The
oldest child, Mahlon, came to Indiana in 1827, locating in Perry township,
Tippecanoe county, on the north fork of Wild Cat creek, where he erected
a saw-mill and operated the same for years. In 1828 the mother and the
balance of the children joined him, settling in the same vicinity where the
older son and brother had located, and this was known for years as the
Cleaver settlement. The brothers were named as follows : Mahlon, Charles,
Sewell, Chalkley, Isaac and Joseph, and the sisters bore these names, Lydia,
Annaretta and Louisa. Isaac and Joseph died when they were young men
in the prime of life, neither having ever been married. Charles married a
lady by the name of Madden, of Baltimore, Maryland ; she was the mother
of C. O. Cleaver, who is now seventy-four years old and acting as police
magistrate of Milford, Illinois. Sewell Cleaver married a Miss Davis, of
Lafayette, Indiana. Chalkley married a Miss Larry, of Perry township, this
county. Annaretta married John McCurdy, who settled on the middle fork
of Wild Cat creek where he built and operated a saw-mill, near where Moni-
tor is now located in Perry township. He later moved to Delphi, Carroll
county, Indiana, where he engao^ed in the mercantile business, and where he
lost his first wife by death. Several years afterwards he married his first
wife's sister, Lydia, with whom he lived until his death. Louisa, the young-
est sister, married David Cleaver and with him emigrated to Illinois and
settled near Milford, Iroquois county, where they engaged in farming and
stock raising and where they both died. . Mahlon Cleaver never married.
He died at the age of seventy-six years,, being the last one of that branch
of the family tree to answer the "last roll-call." He took, educated and cared
for C. O. Cleaver after the death of the latter's parents. Of the second
generation of the Cleaver family there are but four left, namely: William
F. Cleaver, of Burlington, Indiana; Rev. Isaac S. Cleaver, of Elkhart, In-
diana. They are sons of Sewell and Martha Cleaver. Mrs. Louisa Cleaver,
of Lafayette, is the daughter of Chalkley and Nancy Cleaver. Charles Oscar
Cleaver, of Milford, Illinois, is the son of Charles and Ann Cleaver. All the
ancestors of this family from the paternal grandmother down are buried in
the old family burying ground on the old homestead, near the site of the
saw-mill operated in the long-ago by Mahlon Cleaver in Perry township,
Tippecanoe county.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. II37
Charles H. Cleaver, whose name introduces this review, was born in
Perry township, Tippecanoe county, July 31, 1876, the son of Mahlon and
Mary Eliza Cleaver, the former a native of Perry township, the latter of
the state of Ohio. Mahlon Cleaver, father of the subject, was the son of
Chalkley Cleaver, who married Nancy Larry Chalkley. Chalkley Cleaver
came to Tippecanoe county in 1828 and settled in Perry township, where he
got wild land which he cleared and on which he made a home and where he
died. He and his wife were the parents of three sons and one daughter.
Mahlon Cleaver had only a limited education in the home schools. He lived
at home and finally purchased the home place, and died there July 31, 1884,
his wife having preceded him to the grave in June, 1883. He was always
a farmer and a Republican in politics. To them eleven children were born,
namely: Electa married A. E. Rickert, of Stanley, Wisconsin: Alice is
single and living in Lafayette, Indiana; Elby married Stella Buck; they
are both deceased; Edward married May Cockrell, and he is living on a
farm in Huntington county, Indiana ; Blanche died in infancy ; Mordecai and
Howard; the former is deceased, and the latter is a farmer in Washington
township; he married Flora Spidle; Charles H., subject of this review; Jesse
married Bertha Healey and is living in Perry township; Nellie married
Claude Lesley, deceased, but she is living in Lafayette.
Charles H. Cleaver had little chance to attend school. He worked
among strangers until he was twenty-one years old. His marriage occurred
December 28, 1896, when he espoused Fannie V. Newhouser, of Clinton
county, Indiana, the daughter of Peter and Mary Ehrsman, both natives of
Germany. They first came to Adams and later to Clinton countv, Indiana,
where they engaged in farming; both are now deceased.
Two sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Cleaver, namely :
Floyd L., born May 15, 1900; Clyde L., born March 17, 1905. After his
marriage, Mr. Cleaver located in Clinton county, Indiana, where he remain-
ed for four years. He had seventy-six acres of land which he sold and then
came to Perry township, where he got eighty acres in section 3, known as
the Seyers farm. In 1908 he built his fine modern eight-room, two-story
house, with a slate roof and everything quite up-to-date. He built an ex-
cellent barn in 1900, renewed his fences and made many other changes which
have greatly enhanced the value and appearance of the place. All his place,
with the exception of five acres in woods, is under a high state of cultiva-
tion. He is a breeder of thoroughbred Duroc Jersev swine : he also raises
Shetland ponies, horses and mules. His annual sales are alwavs profitable
(7^)
I 138 PAST AND PRESENT
and made with no trouble owing to the fine quahty of his stock. He has
exhibited his fine stock in both this and Chnton counties where his stock is
always greatly admired. In politics he is strongly Republican. His wife is
a member of the Missionary church. Although Mr. Cleaver started in life
poor, he has been very successful and is now one of the leading young farm-
ers of his township, his fine place being widely known as Clover Leaf Stock
Farm.
JOHN C. F. REDINBO.
The Redinbos were originally Pennsylvanians who migrated to Ohio
when that state was still young, engaged in farming and finally ended their
days in the Buckeye commonwealth. Adam and Sarah (Shankland) Red-
inbo, who were the pioneers and founders of the family in the west, had six
children, whose descendants are found in various portions of the West.
James was the eldest. Elizabeth, the second child, died many years ago.
Lucy is a resident of Delphos, Ohio. Sarah lives in Newport, Kentucky.
Charlotte, who married M. E. Meyers, is dead, and John, the youngest, is a
citizen of Delphos, Ohio. James grew up in Ohio, learned the carpenter's
trade and worked at it for thirty years. When twenty-three years old he
married Julia Ann Prichard, of Butler county, Ohio, came to Tippecanoe
county, Indiana, in 1837, and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in
Perry township in 1856. It was wild, heavily timbered and practically
unimproved, the only buildings being a decayed log cabin and broken-down
stable. His first wife died in 1856 and on August 22d of the following year
he married Mary, daughter of Richard and Sarah (Russell) Collins, of
Butler county, Ohio. The two children by the first union were Robert and
Martha. The former served in the cavalry three years, and after the war
lived in Tippecanoe county, where he died in 1893. The daughter married
Daniel Beens, of Webster county, Missouri. James Redinbo's children
by his second marriage were five in number. Sarah, the eldest, married
John Smith, of Lafayette, and has five children, Edgar, Albert, Clarence,
Harry and Elden. The second of James Redinbo's last children was Jnh'i
C. F. ; the third was Lincoln, who married Minnie Birn. now deceased, and
died in 1899. Laura, the fourth child, married John Davis, of Tippecanoe
county. Manson, the youngest, married Jessie Birm, and is a farmer in Web-
ster county, Missouri. In 1870 James Redinbo engaged in the milling busi-
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 1 1 39
ness at Monitor, Indiana, with Fritz Brothers, and continued in this hne for
seven years. After he obtained his farm he built the house and barn him-
self, being an expert carpenter, and made many other improvements on the
place. He was active in politics, first as a Whig, and then Republican, but
later as a Democrat, beginning with the support of Greeley, but the only
office he held was that of justice of the peace, in which he served eight
years. He was a member of the Masonic lodge at Dayton, Indiana, and
took much interest in fraternity affairs. He and his second wife, who died
in 1892, were members of the Universalist church, and at one time he was
quite prominent and influential in the county. Being born January 22, 1813,
and dying in October, 1896, it will be seen that he had reached the venerable
age of eighty-three.
John C. F. Redinbo, the second child by the second marriage, was born
on his father's farm in Perry township, and got his education in the local
schools and business college at Lafayette. September 29, 1892, he married
Catherine, daughter of Anselm and Barbara (Killian) Behringer, of Perry
township. The parents were Germans, who came to this country more than
half a century ago, and settled in Tippecanoe county on a farm where both
of them died. Mr. Redinbo has five children; Leonard C., Ansie. George,
Barbara and Lawrence. He owns eighty acres of the old homestead farm
and has earned a wide reputation as a breeder of Shorthorn cattle, though he
also carries on general farming. He served as trustee of Perry township
from 1900 to 1905, and helped build the Monitor high school. He is a mem-
ber of the Masonic lodge at Dayton, Indiana, and of the Modern Woodmen
Camp, No. 4107, at Monitor. His wife is a member of St. Lawrence Cath-
olic church at Lafayette, and Mr. Redinbo is esteemed in the county as one
of its best informed farmers.
WILLIAM McCORMICK.
Owen McCormick and Margaret Culligan were young Irish people, who
were reared near Dublin. Like most of the population of Ireland, they were
poor and their chief ambition was to emigrate to America, of which they had
heard so much and which was regarded as an earthly paradise. Their wishes
were gratified as they eventually found themselves in the land of promise,
though thev came over at different times. During the temporary sojourn in
New York, Owen and Margaret again met, renewed their acquaintance, fell
I 1 40 PAST AND PRESENT
in love with each other and married. There was not much in the East for
poor Irish immigrants at that time, the western fever was at its height, and
soon we find our friends making their way to the vast regions beyond the
Alleghanies. Indiana in those days was much-sought territory. Owen Mc-
Cormick thought favorably of it and decided to seek a home in one of its
rich agricultural sections. Lauramie township, in Tippecanoe county, was
picked out for a location, but after residing there several years he bought
forty acres of land in section i6, of Perry township. It was cheap, but very
wild, and Mr. McCormick had to put in many a hard blow getting rid of
the heavy timber. By great industry and good management he prospered
fairly well and from time to time was enabled to buy more land until his
holdings eventually amounted to two hundred and seventy acres. Much of
this he cleared, while also making many expensive improvements, and be-
fore his death, in December, 1905, had become to be regarded as one of the
prosperous farmers of the county. His Irish wife proved a faithful assistant
during all these years and did her full share in helping on the general pros-
perity, up to the time of her death, in January, 1893. They were members
of St. Mary's Catholic church, of correct life in every way and highly es-
teemed by a large circle of friends. This worthy couple had seven children.
Mary, the eldest, married William Burns, of Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Thomas,
the oldest son, is a retired farmer at Lafayette. John is a farmer in Perry
township. Owen, now dead, carried on farming during his lifetime both
in Perry township and Illinois. Margaret married Joseph Kirchofif, of Perry
township; and Lizzie is the wife of Christian Benner, of Benton county, In-
diana. 1
William McCormick, the sixth child, was born in Lauramie township,
Tippecanoe county, Indiana, September 5, 1866. He remained at home until
twenty-five years of age and then began to think of the most important step
in a young man's life. October 15, 1890, he married Lena, daughter of
Anselm and Barbara (Killian) Behringer, all of Perry township. The par-
ents, both of whom are now dead, were natives of Germany, but came over
many years ago and settled in Tippecanoe county and became prosperous by
farming in Perry township. Mr. McCormick has four children, Clara, Pau-
lina, Thomas and Frank. In 1887 he began business on his own account by
renting a piece of land which he farmed for a while, and in 1907 bought
eighty-five acres of the old homestead, most of which is in a good state of
cultivation. He is a member of the St. Lawrence Catholic church at La-
fayette, and one of the leaders among the younger generation of farmers.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. II4I
OWEN McCORMICK.
No man who has lived in Perry township, Tippecanoe county, of recent
years stamped his individiiaHty more indeHbly upon the citizens with
whom he mingled than did, the late Owen McCormick. This was due to a
number of direct reasons and not because of any imaginative characteristics,
because he was a man who could be trusted in all the relations of life, honest,
sincere and always thoughtful of the welfare of others, kind and generous to
his family and ever ready to lend his support to any cause looking to the
upbuilding of his community whether materially or morally. Mr. McCor-
mick, like many another thrifty citizen of this country, was foreign born, hav-
ing first seen the light of day near the far-famed city of Dublin, Ireland, in
the year 1830. There he grew to manhood and received some early school-
ing. On November 15. 1850, he was united in marriage with Margaret Cul-
ligan. a native of the same place. Believing that the great republic across
the sea held greater advantages for them than could be found at home, they
accordingly, after a tedious voyage in an old-fashioned .sailing vessel, landed
in the harbor of New York city, and spent the two subsequent years in New
Jersey where they farmed. Then, in 1854, they migrated to the great middle
West, locating at New Richmond, Indiana, later locating in Lauramie town-
ship, Tippecanoe county, finally coming to Perry township, where Mr. Mc-
Cormick bought a small fruit farm. Being a man of excellent judgment
and a hard worker he added to this until lie had a most excellent farm of
three hundred acres. He cleared a great deal of this and made many ex-
tensive and substantial improvements and soon had a good income from year
to year by reason of his able management of the farm. He became well
known in this vicinity and all who knew him liked him for his. many amiable
qualities. His death occurred on December 7, 1905, having been preceded to
the "silent halls of death" by his wife on January 3,^1902. In politics the
former was a Democrat, and he belonged to St. Mary's Catholic church.
They were the parents of seven children, namely : Mary, who married Wil-
liam Barnes, of Ft. Wayne, Indiana; Thomas lives in Lafayette; John is a
farmer in Perry township; Margaret is the wife of Joseph Kirckhoff. of
Perry township; William is a farmer in Perry township; Elizabeth, who
married Christian Benner, lives at Earl Park, Indiana; Charles is deceased,
as is also Owen, the eighth child. These children were all educated in the
common schools of their home district and are fairly well situated in reference
to this world's affairs, all reflecting in their daily lives the wholesome home
atmosphere in which they were reared.
1 142 PAST AND PRESENT
JOHN H. EHRESMAN.
The family of this name in Perry township is of German origin. Jacob
and Catherine Ehresman came to the United States in 1839 from Hesse-
Darmstadt, taking eighty days to make the voyage in a sailing vessel. After
a very rough passage they landed at Boston, shortly afterward coming to
Butler county, Ohio, and later removing to Clinton county, Indiana, where
they eventually died. Jacob was a weaver by trade, but lived on and worked
a farm. He had five children, Jacobena (deceased), Christian, Catherine
(deceased), Mary (deceased) and Fannie,: of Adams county, Indiana. Chris-
tian Ehresman, the second child, was born in Germany, October 15, 1832,
educated in the German and English schools and remained at home until his
marriage. This event occurred December 10. 1857, and his wife was Mary
Saltzman, born in Butler county, Ohio, her parents being Christian and Marv
(Imhoff) Saltzmen, the former of Alsace-Lorraine and the latter of Hesse-
Darmstadt. The former's parents were pioneers of Butler county and died
there many years ago. Alary (Imhoff) Saltzman came with a
brother and sister to America and settled in Butler county. In
1850 the Saltzmans came to Clinton county, and four years later
settled in Perry township, Tippecanoe county. Entering a lot of im-
proved land, a home was built, improvements made and farming conducted
after the manner of those times. After his wife's death Christian lived
with his children two years and then went to Kansas where he died. His
children were Magdaline, who resides in Perry township; Mary, wife of
Christian Ehresman; Catherine, .of Pawnee county. Kansas: Elizabeth, de-
ceased ; Annie, a resident of Gibson City, Illinois, and John, deceased. Chris-
tian Ehresman and wife had ten children, as follows: Jacob, a farmer in
Clinton county, married Jacobena Imhoff, and died in 1904. leaving four
children, Elmer, Essie, Elson and Ernest; Christian H., a farmer in Clinton
county, married Alice Widener and has six children. Rose, Charlie, Dorotha,
Laura, Virlie and Inez; Daniel died unmarried at the age of twenty-seven;
Henry, a farmer and ex-trustee of Perry township, married Catherine Ehres-
man and has five children. Olivia. Laura, Willie, Ralph and Floyd: John
H., subject of this sketch; Elizabeth, wife of Charles Beeker, of Allen coun-
ty, Indiana, has six children, Laura, Emanuel, Alvin, Amelia, Alma and
Irwin : Gideon, a farmer in Allen county, Indiana, married Emma Steinman
and has one son, Russell V; Mary, wife of Henry Becker, of Allen county,
has three children, Esther, Elma and Elsa; William died young; Emanuel,
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. II43
a carpenter in business at Sand Point, Idaho, married Elsie ,Rapp and has
one child, Mary.
John H. Ehresman, fifth in the list of this family, was born in Perry
township, Tippecanoe county. Indiana, June 19, 1868. Besides attendance
in the district schools he was at Purdue University from 1893 to 1896, study-
ing mechanical engineering. After leaving college he engaged in farming,
spent the year 1908 in California as a rancher and later took to southern
Texas and Colorado. Since his father's death, February i, 1907, he and
his mother have lived together in Perry township. His parents had bought
sixty acres of land in section 22, on which an old log cabin and stable were
the only buildings. The father made some brick and put up a fine home, at
the same time erecting a barn and making other improvements. In 1894 he
bought the small place where John H. and his mother live, and there spent
the rest <-)f his days. He was a member of the Mennonite church, well known
throughout the county and much esteemed. John H. Ehresman owns forty
acres and has for several years devoted his time to farming and ranks as a
leader among the progressive farmers of Perry township.
ALLEN A. YOST.
Among the men of Perry township, Tippecanoe county, who have ap-
preciated present-day opportunities right here at home and have profited by
their ingenuity and persistency in their own environment is Allen A. Yost,
who was born August 13, 1857, in Perry township, the son of William H. Yost,
who was born in 1826 in Preble county, Ohio, and whose death occurred
in 1893. He married, in 1855, Mary Mikesell, a native of Perry township,
this county. Jacob Yost, grandfather of Allen A., was a native of Preble
county, Ohio. He came to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, in 1840, locating in
Perry township when this locality was all in woods and settlements were
scattering. By profession he was a distiller, and he lived here until his
death. Allen A. Yost's grandfather, Andrew Mikesell, married Catherine
Weaver: they were both natives, of Ohio, but came to Tippecanoe county,
Indiana, in a very early day, locating in Perry township, where they both
died, having cleared land and made a good home. They became the parents
of the following children : Elizabeth lives in Carroll county, Indiana ;
Susanna, of Purimont, Indiana; Abbie. of Mt. Vernon, Ohio; Kate, of La-
fayette, Indiana; Mary, mother of Allen A. Yost, of this review: David died
I 1 44 PAST AND PRESENT
during the war between the states while on duty in ^lissouri; John, who was
also a Union soldier, died in Tennessee. The following children were born
to Jacob Yost and wife: William H., Isaac P., James and Jacob, all de-
ceased; George W. is living in Perry township; John is deceased; David is
living at Monitor. Indiana ; Mary died in Cass county, Indiana.
William H. Yost, father of Allen A., had only a limited schooling. He
engaged in the manufacture of linseed oil at Monitor, Indiana, and he was
also a skilled sawyer and worked in various saw-mills, and also operated
several saw-mills himself after his marriage. He bought forty acres of land
in Perry township which was partly cleared. In 1863 he purchased eighty
acres in section 24, where his widow and Allen A. now reside. There was
a small clearing on the place and he lived here, improving his farm until
his death, leaving a fine place to his widow and their children. In politics
he was a Democrat and a member of the Dunkard church. To Mr. and Mrs.
William H. Yost eight children were born, namely: Allen A., subject of
this review; Caroline E.. wife of J. C. Jester, of Lafayette; Andrew J.,
a barber, is single and lives with Allen A. ; Rachael A. married Charles C.
Seabaun, a druggist of Cincinnati, Ohio; Mary C. married Samuel Utley,
and she died in November, 1908; William H. is deceased, as is also Fara
Estelle, the youngest born.
Allen A. Yost attended the home schools and worked on the home
place for five years. On September 2, 1907, he married Ida May Clenden-
ning. a native of Clinton county, Indiana, and the daughter of Robert and
Temperance R. (Coble) Clendenning, the former a native of Butler county,
Ohio, and the latter of Clinton county, Indiana. Mr. Clendenning came to
Indiana when a boy, and he is still living on a farm in Clinton county. His
wife died forty-one years ago. Mr. Clendenning is an extensive stock dealer
and raiser.
To Mr. and Mrs. Allen A. Yost five children have been born, named as
follows: Frances M., Mary Ann Margaret, Allen A., Jr., Luella June and
Susie Belle. They are all interesting children and are receiving every at-
tention at the hands of their fond parents.
Mr. Yost has been a stock dealer and breeder of Shorthorn cattle and
Poland-China hogs, also draft horses, having achieved quite a reputation
with his excellent breeds of stock. He is also in the dairy business and finds
a ready market for his products. He conducts a model little dairy and all
his stock is first-class and finds a ready sale when he cares to dispose of anv.
He is regarded as one of the best judges of livestock in the township. In
his political relations he votes with the Democrats, and he and his estimable
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. I I45
wife are members of the Reformed church at Mulberry, Indiana. Mr. Yost
keeps well posted on current events and especially on all things relating to
farming and dairying, at which he is succeeding in a way that stamps him
as one of the leading farmers of this locality.
\MLLIAM G. MASTERS.
James and ]\Iary (Johnson) ^Masters were Ohioans, and after the form-
er's death his widow and children came to Indiana in 1834 and settled in
Perry township, Tippecanoe county. She bought forty acres in section 14,
put up a log cabin and long before her death, January 4, 1874, had the pleas-
ure of knowing that early trials had resulted in a comfortable home. As she
was born April i, 1797, she was about seventy-seven years of age when called
to her final rest. Her children were as follows: Mary, born in 1818, died
in infancy; Ann, wife of William Burgeon, was born September 25, 1819,
and died in 1889. Sarah, wife of William Y. Sense, was born April 22.
1822, and died in 1859. James, the fourth child, died in 1824. Samuel
was born in Butler county, Ohio, August 13, 1826. William, born October
30. 1828, died in 1846. John, who married Mary Johnson, was born Sep-
tember 9, 1830, and died in Livingston county, Illinois, January 15, 1906.
Samuel Masters came to Tippecanoe county with his mother in 1834; May
13, i860, he married Eliza Jane, daughter of George and Catherine Young
Sense, who were Virginians, the former born April 23, 1789, and the latter
September 17, 1787. They were married March 17, 181 1. Their children
were Mary, deceased, born September 17, 1813; David, born March 24,
1817, and died in Perry township; Inlyam, born February 7, 1819; William,
born December 13, 1821, died at Milford, Illinois; Eleanor, born Septem-
ber 22, 1824, died in Tippecanoe county; Eliza Jane, who became Mrs. Mas-
ters, was born March 16, 1831, died November 11, 1907. Her husband died
October, 1898. After his marriage Samuel Masters located on the place that
has been known as the Masters homestead. He owned one hundred and
forty acres of , land, much of which he cleared and improved. He became
prosperous as a farmer and raiser of various kinds of livestock. He had
two children, a son and a daughter. Martha V., who was born ]\Iarch 29,
1870, married William Clark Murphy, a farmer of Perry township.
William G. Masters, the only living son and eldest child, was born in
Perry township, Tippecanoe county, Indiana, November 3, 1867. From the
1 1 46 PAST AND PRESENT
time he could handle a hoe he has been a farmer and, all his neighbors say, a
good farmer. He has always remained on the old family homestead, has
lived a quiet and industrious life and has prospered in his business. He has
long been recognized as one of the progressive farmers and prominent citizens
of the county, none being more highly esteemed. In 1907 he built his beau-
tiful eleven-room, two-story house, with all the modern improvements. A
fine barn, in keeping with the surroundings, was erected in 1905, and num-
erous other improvements have been made, making this farm up-to-date in
every respect. Mr. Masters bought the old homestead in 1899, has in all
one hundred and thirty-five acres and one hundred and fifteen of these are
under cultivation. He carries on diversified farming, raising all the crops
suitable to this climate and keeping the proper amount of livestock for such
a farm as he owns.
November 3, 1891, Mr. jMasters married Emma G., daughter of Daniel
and Sarah (Ely). Buck, of Perry township. The father, who died June
5, 1905, was a native of Perry township, and his wife, who now resides
near Buck Creek, was born in Franklin township. Mrs. Masters is a model
citizen in every respect, a member of the United Brethren church, highly
respected throughout the county and esteemed by all who know her.
JAMES D. LEWIS.
The genial and neighborly owner of Walnut Hill Stock Farm, James
D. Lewis, is one of Perry township's best known and substantial citizens, a
man who, while advancing his own interests, does not lose sight of his
obligation to the community at large. He was born in Butler county, Ohio,
October 18. 1853, the son of Robert and Elizabeth (Brochius) Lewis, both
natives of the same county in which the sub'ject was born. The Lewis fam-
ily is of Welsh extraction, an uncle of Robert Lewis having come to this
country from Wales in a very early day and located in Kentucky. Robert
Lewis's father, Joseph Lewis, located in Butler county, Ohio, during the
pioneer days, and his son Andrew remained on the old home place on Indian
creek. The Brochius family were of German stock. The maternal grand-
father of James D. Lewis was Daniel Brochius who lived in Butler county,
Ohio, a cabinetmaker by trade, who also followed farming, and he died in that
countv.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 1 147
Robert Lewis, father of James D., of this review, was educated in the
common schools and hved at home until his marriage. He was not a robust
man and while somewhat handicapped on account of ill health, he made a suc-
cess of his life work. In 1862 he went to California, where he received much
benefit physically, but feeling that his country needed his assistance when the
great rebellion broke out, he returned to Ohio and enlisted in Company K, of
an Ohio regiment of volunteers. Very much to his regret, he did not get
to see much active service, having contracted rheumatism, consequently he
was discharged for disability. He then came to Clinton county, Indiana, lo-
cating near Rossville. He operated a saw-mill there for a time, also one in
Carroll county, near Lexington, Indiana, on Wild Cat Creek; later he managed
a grist-mill with equal success. In 1875 he came to Colburn, Indiana, and
purchased the Emete steam mill and was there two years ; he sold this and
moved to Monitor, Tippecanoe county, locating on the Payne farm. After
remaining one year on the place he went into the grocery business at Buck
Creek, later sold his stock of goods and resumed farming in Washington
township. He later purchased the Perimont mill, then bought a farm in
Perry township, this county. He was a good manager and a man who stood
high in the estimation of all who knew him. His political affiliation was
with the Republican party. His death occurred in 1893, having been survived
by his widow until January 2, 1905. They were the parents of six children,
named as follows : Daniel is an engineer living at Deadwood, South Dakota ;
James D., of this review; Martha married Henry Munea and died in 1882;
Margaret married Frank Retterath. of Newton county, this state; Isabella
married John Lyons ; Rebecca married Albert Ulery, of White Water, Wis-
consin.
James D. Lewis had little chance to attend school. He remained at
home until he was twenty-four years old, and on March 25, 1877, he chose as
a life partner the representative of an old and honored family in the person of
Eliza Gates, of Washinglon township. Tippecanoe county, the daughter of
Peter and Hester Ann (Doty) Gates, the latter a native of Lafayette, having
been horn where the court house now stands. She is the daughter of Ben-
jamin Doty, who was the owner of eleven acres of land where the court house
was built in Lafayette, having located there in 1822.
After liis mnrri''p-e ]\'lr. Lewis lived in Washington township, this coun-
ty, one mile west of Colburn, where he remained one season, then went to
Monitor, Indiana, where he engaged in farming until the spring of 1882 when
he moved west of Colburn. where he remained for two years. He then
moved to Perry township on a farm and after working there for one year he
I 148 PAST AND PRESENT
bought forty acres where he now lives in section 2, Perry township. He
cut logs and built a cabin and began making a home in true pioneer style,
and, being a hard worker, it is useless to add that he has succeeded admirably
well, having now a very productive farm of eighty-eight acres and an ex-
cellent dwelling and plenty of farming machinery. All of his farm is under
cultivation but ten acres. It was in 1903 that he built his beautiful home, and
in 1904 that the old log barn was replaced by a modern one, — in short, his
place, while not so large as some, is one of the most attractive and fertile in
Perry township. Since 1903 Mr. Lewis has been a breeder of Berkshire
hogs and Shropshire sheep, and everybody who sees his fine stock admires
them greatly. His farm is located ten miles east of Lafayette on the Heath
pike.
To Mr. and Mrs. Lewis the following children have been born : Hollis
C, born July 17, 1878 ; after graduating in the home schools he took a course
in Purdue University, from which he was graduated in 1903 from the agri-
culture department. He took up civil engineering and was employed by the
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company in construction work and
bridge building for a period of five years. On March 24, 1909, he married
Ada Jeffers, of Keokuk, Iowa. On March 28, 1909, he bought eighty-two
and one-half acres of land in section 2, Perry township,^ where he now lives,
the farm having long been known as the Gibson place. Clifford B. Lewis,
the second son of James D. Lewis, was born August 22, 1882, and was edu-
cated in the home schools, after which he began teaching which he followed
for six years, but is now farming in Perry township;. he married Martha
Buck. Maud May, the subject's third child, was born May 15, 1889, attend-
ed the home schools, later Valparaiso University, from which he was grad-
uated in 1909. She is a teacher in Perry township.
Although James D. Lewis started in life a poor boy. and has received
no outside aid, he has succeeded, now having a good farm and an excellent
income.
JOHN ZIMMERMAN.
It is interesting to study the life record of such a man as John Zimmer-
man, owing to the fact that he began life under none too favorable auspices,
and in battling his own way through the world he has not only succeeded
remarkably well in the temporal things of life, but has done a great amount
of good to his fellowmen and is therefore deserving of the high esteem in
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. II49
which he is held by all who know him and that includes everyone in Perry
township, if not the major portion of the residents of Tippecanoe county.
He was born in old Alsace-Lorraine, now a part cf Germany. No man could
have better ancestry, many of their commendable traits being noticeable in
the subject, who is wearing the mantle that has descended to his shoulders
with becoming dignity. His paternal grandfather went from Germany to
Alsace, France, during the revolutionary troubles in the latter country, and
there his son, John Zimmerman, father of the gentleman whose name intro-
duces this sketch, was born, reared and married, his wife being known in
her maidenhood as Magdalena Slagel, also a native of Alsace. By a previous
marriage to Christian Shurk she had two children, Joseph and Nicholas, Ixith
now deceased. John Zimmerman, senior, was a farmer and a man of in-
fluence in his community. His death occurred in 1846 and that of his wife
a few months later in 1847. They were members of the Amish church, and
thev spent their lives in Germany. John Zimmerman, of this review, was the
only child by his mother's second marriage. After the death of his parents
he went to live with an uncle with whom he remained one year, and when
only sixteen years of age he gratified an all-absorbing desire to come to
America, setting sail from Havre, France, in an old-fashioned sailing vessel,
the voyage requiring forty-two days, the harbor at New York finally being
reached in June, 1849. Making his way westward, young Zimmerman, with
little means but plenty of courage and youthful exuberance, made his way
to Wayne county, Ohio. In Butler county of the latter state he found his
uncle, Nicholas Roth, with whom he worked on the farm for a while, re-
maining in Butler county for one year. In 1851 he went to Henry county,
Iowa, visiting at Mount Pleasant and at Keokuk. After three years spent in
this country he returned to the Fatherland and spent the three years following
there. During that time he came into possession of a part of his father's
estate.
The chapter in the life of Mr. Zimmerman bearing on his marriage
began October 16, 1852, when he espoused Magdalena Slegel, a native of
Alsace, where her birth occurred August 10, 1832, the daughter of Joseph
and Magdalena (Smith) Slegel. The former, also a native of Alsace, was a
prosperous farmer, and in 1853 he and his family accompanied John Zim-
merman to America. Mr. Slegel settling in Davis county, Iowa, where he
bought eighty acres of land which he developed. He died when about sixt>-
two years old.
Mr. Zimmerman also purchased eighty acres of land in Davis county.
Inwa. It was wild prairie land, but after being improved was very valuable.
1 1 50 PAST AND PRESENT
He lived here until 1863 when he \vent to Hickory county, ^lissouri. Here
he also purchased eighty acres of land which was rough and the country
lacked public improvements, but after seven years there Mr. Zimmerman, in
1872. came to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, locating in Perry township where
he rented for five years, then bought his present farm in section 10 known
as the Fisher place, owning at this time two hundred and twenty-four acres.
He prospered and in 1888 built his fine brick dwelling-house, which is in the
midst of attractive grounds, and everything about the place is in keeping with
its ornate setting. He made the brick on his farm. In 1890 he built his
barn, which is one of the best in the township, and he has made all the im-
provements on this place, — in short, his place is one of the most attractive
and valuable in Perry township and none is better managed.
Although well qualified for positions of public trust, Mr. Zimmerman has
never aspired to public office. He is a member of the Amish church, and has
been a minister in the church of this creed for over a quarter of a century,
but of late years has done little preaching. He is an excellent scholar, having
been educated in both the German and French languages, having attended in
his youth a college at MontpeHer, France. He has a good library, including
a very highly prized old German Bible, printed in Zurich, Switzerland, by
Christopher Froschouer in 1536. one of the first Bibles printed, and it is be-
lieved to be one of the oldest Bibles in America.
Mrs. John Zimmerman passed to her rest January 16, 1888, after be-
coming the mother of fourteen children, namely : Josephine, who was lx)rn in
Germany, married Christian Garber, living in this state; Nicholas, who was
born in mid-ocean and was named for the vessel on which the family sailed,
is deceased ; Leah is deceased ; Annie married Simeon Roth, of Allen county,
Indiana; Mary married Joseph Goldsmith, of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Kate,
who has remained single, is living at home ; Joseph is also single and living
at home: Lizzie, who married Simeon Roth, is deceased; John, who married
Ruth Goldsmith, lives at Harlan, Indiana, where he is engaged in the hard-
ware business; Lydia married C. Goldsmith and is living at Fort Wayne;
Rosa is deceased ;.Lillie, who married Daniel Shubeck, is deceased; Sarah is
also deceased; Benjamin, a farmer in Tippecanoe county, has remained un-
married. These children have all received good educations in the home
schools. Lena, Annie, Mary. Kate. Joseph, Lizzie and John were born in
Iowa; Lydia, Rosa, LilHe, Sarah and Benjamin were born in Missouri. In
1884 Joseph, the son of the subject, bought one hundred and fifty-three acres
in sections 9 and 10, Perry township, Tippecanoe county, known as the
Cleaver farm. He has always been a farmer and a good one, too ; however.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. II5I
he spent two years in the hardware business with his brother, John, at Fort
Wayne, Indiana.
John Zimmerman is a man whom it is a dehght to meet, for he is a
scholarly, refined, honest and courteous gentleman, and he holds high rank
with the people of Tippecanoe county.
Walter c. rosser.
Among the representative agriculturists and public-spirited men of Tip-
pecanoe county who, while advancing their own interests, have not neglected
their duty to the community at large is Walter C. Rosser, the present effi-
cient trustee of Tippecanoe township. He has many of the fine traits, espe-
cially in a business way, of his father, long one of the best known business
men of this county, who through his own indomitable efforts became the
owner of property rated at one time at one hundred thousand dollars ; so, for
many reasons, this family is deserving of conspicuous mention in the his-
torical annals of Tippecanoe county.
John Rosser, father of Walter C, was a Welshman, having been born in
Wales, October 25, 1818, and he was brought to America when less than a
year old. In 1820 he was brought by his parents to Springfield, Ohio, where
he grew to maturity, attended the common schools and was apprenticed to
a bookbinder to learn the trade, at which he worked faithfully until he had
mastered the business, and then he ran away and went to New Orleans to do
for himself. Not liking the climate and trade conditions in the southern
state, he returned to Springfield. Coming to Lafayette, Indiana, in 1845,
he went into the bookbinding and printing business, at which he prospered,
having mastered his trade well and was a business man by nature. He soon
became known not only as a faithful business man, but also as a public-
spirited citizen of strict integrity. As already intimated, he became well-to-
do, one of the leading business men of Lafayette in his day. He married
Alice A. Casad on October 26, 1848. They resided in Lafayette until 1863
when Mr. Rosser purchased a farm on which he established a comfortable and
attractive country home, but he continued in business in Lafayette. Taking
an active interest in the wefare of the coounty and being also interested in
politics, he was soon slated by the political leaders for public office, and al-
though a very busy man, he accepted the nomination for representative from
Tippecanoe county. He was elected in 1867 and made a very commendable
II52
>AST AND PRESENT
record which received the approval of his constituents in every respect. After
an influential, active and well-spent life, John Rosser was called from his
earthly labors on March 24, 1903, having been preceded to the silent land
by his faithful life companion March 13, 1897. They were the parents of
eleven children, of whom Walter C. is the only one living.
Walter C. Rosser received a good education, having attended the com-
mon schools and he also attended a business college. Deciding, upon com-
pleting his school work, that the life of an agriculturist offered the greatest
attractions for him, he began farm work, which he has since followed with
very gratifying results, at present owning an attractive and productive farm
of two hundred acres in section 27, Tippecanoe township, where he carries on
general farming and stockraising in a manner that stamps him as one of the
leading farmers of the county. He has raised an extraordinary fine grade of
hogs for years which never fail to find ready sales.
Mr. Rosser was united in marriage with Virginia Nelson, a member of
an old and highly respected family of Tippecanoe township, where she was
born, just north of the Soldiers' Home. She passed through the common
schools. Two children have brightened the pleasant home of ]\Ir. and Mrs.
Rosser, namely: John, who was born December 2. 1899. and Mary B., born
March 17, 1902.
Mr. and Mrs. Rosser are members of the Christian church, and Mr.
Rosser is a charter member of and past chancellor commander of Battle
Ground Lodge, No. 273, Knights of Pythias. He is prominent in the polit-
ical circles of Tippecanoe county, having been elected trustee of the township
where he resides in 1908. He has served as a member of the county central
committee, being a member from Tippecanoe township, and he looks to the
interest of the public with the same careful consideration as he does his own
business affairs, consequently he is well and favorably known to the people
of his and adjoining townships.
THE LAFAYETTE CONSERVATORY OF AIUSIC,
located at Nos. 401-403 North Fourth street, was founded in the year 1904
by Miss Lena M. Baer. It is the purpose of this conservator}' to send forth
artists and teachers whose work in any special line shall rest upon a broad
and comprehensive knowledge of the principles underlying the arts and their
relations to life. It is the aim of the conservatory to furnish opportunity
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. II 53
for thorough training to tliose who wish to become professional musicians,
also to provide for the general student a means of practical acquaintance
with musical arts.
The Lafayette Conservatory of Music receives pupils of all ages, from
six years upward. It is held that children should receive instruction as early
as possible, in order to accomplish in life all to which innate talent entitles
them, which instruction should be given by competent teachers, for without a
good foundation no high degree of art or knowledge can be obtained. Care-
ful study of the rules of technique and theory, intellectual training by which
the student learns to grasp the spirit of composition, both modern and clas-
sic, is the object of the intermediate and normal department.
The element of temperament and individuality — in short, the personal
equation — enters so much more largely into the study of music than into
the pursuit of any other branch of either art or literature, that it is im-
possible to lay out any definite and absolute curriculum of works to be studied
by each and every student. Any teacher or institution that attempts to
definitely establish such a course ignores the intensely subjective nature of
music as an art, and is in danger of failing of its highest significance and pos-
sibilities. The science of musical pedagogy is becoming more and more sub-
jective each year. The old-fashioned endless practice of dry technical ex-
ercise is rapidly being supplanted by the more rapid and far more certain
acquisition of technique through a higher recognition of mental and muscular
functions.
The growth of this institution has been most encouraging to its pro-
moters, and already its influence for creating higher and better standards of
art and culture have been felt. The officers of the institution follcnv : Lena
M. Baer, president ; Miss Alma E. Crowden, vice-president : ]\Iiss Susan K.
Baer, secretary and treasurer.
Miss Crowden, the vice-president, was the first student of the conserva-
tory to finish the artist's course. A number of students have been graduated
from the normal departments and are filling positions as instructors. Stu-
dents' recitals are held frequently at the conservatory which are nf great
benefit to the student. The annual recitals are held in June, at which time
diplomas are awarded.
Through the efforts of Miss Baer, the directress, a number of the fore-
most artists and musical organizations have appeared before the public. It
is the aim of the conservatory to present at least four celebrated artists dur-
ing the academic year. These concerts will be held at the Dryfus and may
( 7:^ )
I I 54 PAST AND PRESENT
be attended by the general public. Season tickets are procurable at a rea-
sonalile price and a special rate is made to all students of music, whether con-
nected with the conservatory or not. The following artists have appeared:
Course of 1907-1908 — Charles W. Clark, baritone; Olive Mead quartette;
Rudolph Ganz, Swiss pianist; Herr Ferdinand Schafer, violinist; Tilla Par-
sons, reader; Douglass Boxall, pianist: Christian F. Martens, baritone.
Course of 1908-1909 — George Hamlin, tenor; Theodore Bohlmann, pianist;
Marion Green Concert Company ; Steindel Trio.
The piano department of this conservatory is deserving of special notice.
Miss Lena M. Baer, who is a teacher in this department, is widely known
as an able and successful instructor, having spent a number of years in the
study of piano at St. Mary's Academy in Lafayette, Miss Clara Baur's Con-
servatory of Music in Cincinnati, and the Indianapolis Conservatory of
Music. Her special aim is to send out students as teachers, and, in fact, all
who pass through the institution to be well qualified. She is assisted in this
department by Miss Stella M. Gause, who has been a member of the faculty
for a period of four years. Two most important additions to the faculty
were Herr Ferdinand Schafer and Christian Frederick Martens. Herr
Schafer, who has charge of the violin department, is a native of Germany, a
concert violinist of international reputation, formerly taught in the Royal
Conservatory at Leipzig and is conductor of the Schafer Symphony Or-
chestra of Indianapolis. Mr. Martens, who is at the head of the vocal de-
partment, is a native of Norway and is widely known as a master of the
voice and an accomplished singer. The other members of the faculty are
well qualified for the work to which they have been assigned, and hundreds
of pupils are being benefitted by this praiseworthy institution annually.
PROF. CHARLES FRANCIS HARDING.
The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch is professor of elec-
trical engineering and director of the electrical laboratory of Purdue Uni-
versity, Lafayette, Indiana. He is a native of New England and combines
many of the characteristics which have long distinguished the people of that
section of the L^nion. His parents, Charles Theodore Harding and Ellen M.
Lane, were born in Massachusetts, the former in the town of Millis, the lat-
ter in Ashburnham. He is the only child born of their marriage, his Ijirtli
occurring in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, September 11. 1881. He received his
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 1 155
primary education in the public schools of his native town, completing the
prescribed course and graduating from the high school in 1898. He then
entered the Worcester Polytechnic Institute at Worcester, Massachusetts,
from which he was graduated four years later, with the degree of Bachelor
of Science in electrical engineering, and in 1902 accepted a position with the
General Electric Company, of Schenectady. New York, where he remained
for some time in the testing department. During his connection with the
above named company he was made electrical engir.cer of the \\'orcester ik
Southbridge Street Railway Company, which position he held two years,
when he resigned to engage with the D. & W. Fuse Company, of Providence,
Rhode Island, where for a period of one year he had charge of the electrical
engineering department, carrying on design and original research work.
At the expiration of the time indicated. Professor Harding left the em-
ploy of the last-named company and became manager of the publication de-
partment of the electrical works at Fort Wayne, Indiana ; but after nearly a
year in that city resigned for the purpose of accepting the position of assist-
ant professor of electrical engineering at Cornell University, Ithaca, New
York, where, in addition to his professional duties, he did post-graduate work
during tris connection with the institution. From Ithaca. Professor Harding
went to Boston, Massachusetts, where for two 3'ears he was electrical engi-
neer for the Stone & Webster Engineering Corporation, during which time
he was also associated with the Edison Electric Illuminating Company, of
that city, making rapid advancement in his profession the meanwhile and
acquiring much more than local repute as an electrical engineer.
In 1908 Professor Harding severed his connections with the two Boston
companies and on March 15th of that year became professor of electrical
engineering at the head of the school of electrical engineering of Purdue Uni-
versity, Lafayette, Indiana, and director of the laboratory, which position
he still holds.
Professor Harding is a close student and avails himself of every op-
portunity to keep in touch with the trend of professional thought and scien-
tific investigation and discovery. To these ends he holds membership with
the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, the American Society for
the Promotion of Engineering Education, Indiana Academy of Science. In-
diana Engineering Society, and he is an associate member of the American
Street and Interurban Railway Association. He is a charter member of the
Purdue chapter of the honorary fraternity of Sigma Xi.
Professor Harding was married on July 14. 1903. to Mabelle C. Brooks,
a native of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, and the daughter of Howard W. and
I 1 56 PAST AND PRESENT
Celia M. (Warner) Brooks, the father a merchant of that town for many-
years and a citizen of influence and high social standing. Mrs. Harding was
educated in her native state, graduating from the high school of Fitchburg
when young.
In his pohtical affiliations. Professor Harding is a Republican. He was
reared a Congregationalist, a religious body to which his parents and many
of his antecedents belonged, but he is now a member of the Second Presby-
terian church of Lafayette, as is also his wife.
Professor Harding is well grounded in his profession, keeping abreast of
the times in all matters pertaining to electrical engineering, and possesses the
happy faculty of imparting his ideas and theories in a lucid and comprehen-
sible manner.
JOHN C. BARTHOLOMEW.
There is no nation that has contributed to the complex make-up of our
American social fabric an element of more sterling worth and of greater
value in supporting and fostering our national institutions than has England.
A man who may well look with pride on his English ancestry is the subject
of this review, who is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Tip-
pecanoe county, where he has passed his entire life and where he is person-
ally recognized as a representative citizen, having attained a high degree of
success through his operations in connection with agriculture.
John C. Bartholomew, who for sixty-six years has resided in Lauramie
township, was born in this township on the 3d of September. 1843, and is
a son of William and Rebecca (Chandler) Bartholomew. William Bar-
tholomew was born October 29, 1813, in the parish of Mardon, county of
Kent, England, about twelve miles southeast of Maidstone, the market town,
and fifty miles southeast of London. He was the first child born to William
and Philadelphia (Moon) Bartholomew, the former having been tlie first
child born to Thomas Bartholomew and wife, whose maiden name was Hisk-
mott. Thomas Bartholomew died at the age of eighty-four years, while his
wife was sixty years old at the time of her death. Grandfather William
Bartholomew died about the year 1840, at the age of about fifty-six vears. his
wife having died in the fall of 1837, at the age of fifty years.
William Bartholomew, the subject's father, was married in 1837 to
Rebecca Chandler, and three children were horn to them in England. In the
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. I 1 57
latter part of October, 1841, they sailed for America, leaving the St. Cath-
erine's dock, London, bound for the port of New York. They were pas-
sengers on the old sailing vessel "St. James," one of the regular line of sail-
ing vessels running between those two ports. They had a very tempestuous
voyage of forty-six days, adverse winds and storms driving the vessel far out
of its course. They were so far behind their schedule time that a sister ship,
which left London ten days after they did, reached New York and was on
the return trip before they reached port. They arrived in New York city on
December 10, 1841, and they at once took boat passage up the Hudson river
to Albany. Thence they went by rail to Canastota, where Mr. Bartholomew
left his wife and children at a hotel and started out into the adjoining coun-
try in search of work and shelter for his family. Some three miles from the
town he met a gentleman who offered him work and a house for his family,
and still further evidenced his kindness of heart by sending his son and a
team for the family. The family were located in a little village called Quality
Hill and here they made their home until April of the following year, when
they again took up their way westward. They went to Buffalo by rail, be-
yond which point there were then no railroads, and they' proceeded from
there to Cleveland by lake boat, thence through the Ohio canal to Portsmouth
on the Ohio river. Down the Ohio river to Evansville, they proceeded up
the Wabash river to Attica, then by wagon across the country to the town
of Monroe, where for a few days they stopped with William Oyler. Mr.
Bartholomew at this time purchased eighty acres of land just south of the
village of Stockwell (at that time known as Baker's Corners), Lauramie
township, and here he spent the remainder of his life. His wife had been in
poor health for a number of years and her death occurred on the 9th of Oc-
tober, 1847. She was the mother of the following children: William, born
January 21, 1838; Thomas J., born August 17, 1839; Walter D., born Jan-
uary 3, 1841 ; John C, born September 3, 1843; and Aldred, born October
27, 1845. Of these, William lives at Colfax, Indiana, and the last two in
Lauramie township. On February 4, 1849, Mr. Bartholomew married Mrs.
Amanda Pattern, and to this union was born one son, Edmond T., on Jan-
uary 19, 1850, his death occurring on October 28, 1865.
William Bartholomew joined the Methodist Episcopal church in the
winter of 1851 and was ever afterward a faithful member of this society,
serving as trustee and steward for many years. In politics he was an ardent
Republican. He spent his whole life in the development of his farm, and at
one time was the owner of three hundred and twentv acres of land. His
1 1 58 PAST AND PRESENT
death occurred on July 28, 1897, and his wife passed away on February 20,
1896, both being buried in the cemetery at Stockwell.
John C. Bartholomew was reared in this township and, as before stated,
has lived here all his life. He attended the common schools in his early
boyhood, and in the sixties attended Stockwell Collegiate Institute, obtain-
ing a fair education. The farm which he now owns consists of one hundred
and seventy-five acres. The original eighty acres first bought by his father
after his arrival here was divided between the subject and Aldred, his brother,
the subject's home being located on his share of this tract, and the same has
been maintained at the highest standard of excellence, being considered one
of the best farms in this section of the township. ^Ir. Bartholomew is one
of the most highly esteemed citizens of his township and has an enviable
reputation as a man of sterling worth.
On the 22d of December, 1870, the subject married Lula E. Brown,
who was born near Fry's Hill, Kentucky, the daughter of Milton and Eliza
(Willhoit) Brown. Her parents spent their last years in Stockwell. They
were faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church and were held in
high esteem by those who knew them. Both are now deceased. To the
subject and his wife were born the following children: Ferris Milton, of
this township, married Jessie Mabel Claypool and they have three children,
Lula Olive, Jessie Margaret and Dorothy Helen; William Carrol married
Grace Arnold and they reside in Indianapolis. J\Ir. and Mrs. Bartholomew-
are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a trustee
and she a member of the board of stewards. In politics he is a stanch
Republican.
PROF. E. A. TOWER.
Prof. E. A. Tower, present head of the Battle Ground schools, is es-
sentially a school man. From the time he completed his common school
education he has devoted his time to teaching. Later, realizing the need of a
broader training, he entered the State Normal School at Terre Haute, where
he made a good record. As the head of the Battle Ground schools he has
proved that he is capable of effective work. He took charge of the schools
when but a three-years course was offered; now the school has four years'
work, and is on the list of accredited schools in the state. It will be ready
for a commission in 1909.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 1 1 59
Mr. Tower is a native of Crawford county, Indiana, where he was born
May 25, 1862. He is the son of Ambrose and Mary J. (Totten) Tower.
The grandfather. Cotton Tower, was a native of the state of New York. In
early life he went to Kentucky, and later came to Indiana, settling in Craw-
ford county, where he farmed. Ambrose Tower, father of the subject, was
born while Cotton To\\er lived in Kentucky- He came to Indiana with his
parents and worked on his father's farm. He had a liking for the teacher's
profession and acquired an education sufficient to fit him to teach in the
public schools of Crawford county.
Prof. E. A. Tower was reared on the home farm in Crawford county.
He worked industriously on the farm in the summer time, and in the winter
attended the public schools at Leavenworth, Indiana. He showed unusual
ability in his studies in common schools, and as soon as he had graduated
he began teaching. After teaching two or three terms he decided to further
equip himself for his profession, and he entered the State Normal in 1884.
He took work every other year until 1892, when he was graduated. He
worked in the summer time and taught in the winter, and thus earned enough
in the alternate years to pay his expenses while in college. Upon his gradu-
ation from this institution he was elected principal of the Prairie Creek high
school, a position which he held three years. He then acted as principal of
the Montmorenci high school for three years more, filling the position with
credit. It was in 1901 that he was elected superintendent of the Battle
Ground schools. His best work has been done at Battle Ground. He is
a lover of his profession, and teaches English and history.
Mrs. Tower is a cultured woman, who is in sympathy with the work
her husband is so successfully carrying forward. She has been a teacher and
has studied at the State Normal, and also at Purdue University. Her
maiden name was Carrie Van Natta, and she was the daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. James Van Natta. having been born in Tippecanoe county, December
15, 1862.
Besides being interested in the profession of a teacher, Mr. Tower is a
devotee of farm life. He owns two hundred acres in sections 7 and 8,
ranges 24 north and 3 west, and to these broad acres he gives his personal
attention. He loves livestock, and takes a great interest in studying the
latest methods of tilling the soil.
Mr. and Mrs. Tower are prominent members of the Battle Ground
]\Iethodist Episcopal church, and ^Ir. Tower is a trustee of the congregation.
For the past nine years he has been superintendent of the Sunday school.
t60 PAST AND PRESENT
ORA E. THROCKMORTON, M. D.
Success was not thrust tipon Doctor Throckmorton — a fact tliat may
be true .with some men — but he was compelled to work hard for it, having
started in life under no favorable environment. He was, however, endowed
by nature with indomitable courage and indefatigable zeal, consequently he
has forged to the front in one of the most exacting of professions, occupy-
ing today a dignified position among his fellowmen.
Dr. O. E. Throckmorton was born in Johnson county, Indiana. June
28, 1867, the son of J. H. and Sarah (Taylor) Throckmorton. The Throck-
morton family was conspicuous in this section of the Hoosier state in its
earliest epoch. Samuel Throckmorton, grandfather of the Doctor, was born
in New Jersey, and he was but six years old when brought by his parents
to Franklin county. Indiana. His son. J. H.. father of the Doctor, was
born in Johnson county, where he was later married. He still resides there,
being regarded as a man of integrity and industry. His wife was Sarah
Taylor, to Avhom he was married April 6, 1862. She passed to her rest on
April 6, 1909. To them the following children were born : Carrie, who
died in infancy; Sarah, wife of C. A. Vandivire, of Johnson county; and
Doctor O. E., of this review.
Doctor Throckmorton was reared on the home farm, which he worked
during the summer months, building up a splendid physique which has stood
him well in hand for his subsequent career. Being ambitious to learn, he
attended the neighboring schools during the winter months and gained a good
education, having passed through the common schools at a very early age.
He then took up farming, but, believing that his true calling was in another
direction, he saved what money he could from his farm work in order to de-
fray the expense of a higher education, so he entered Miami School of Medi-
cine, where he remained one year, when his means were exhausted: then he
returned to the farm to begin saving money for another year's work in
school. At that time he was joined in marriage with Effie Palmer, in the
year 1893. Mrs. Throckmorton was educated in the common schools of
Johnson county, the home of her childhood, and where her family were long
well established among the leading citizens. She was always a woman of
great determination and courage and no little of the success achieved by the
Doctor has been due to her encouragement and judicious counsel, for she
gave him every assistance in securing his medical training. After getting
together sufficient means. Doctor Throckmorton entered the Central College
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. II61
of Medicine in Indianapolis, where he made a very commendable record
and from which institution he was graduated in 1897. He located at Ken-
nard, Henry county, and had a good patronage during his stay there of two
years. He then went to Battle Ground, where he is now located and where
he finds himself a very busy man attending to his numerous patients through-
out this portion of the county. He has a good home and thirty-six acres of
land in Tippecanoe township. His residence in Battle Ground is one of the
most attractive and beautifully located in this part of the county, and it is
known as a place of hospitality and refinement.
To the Doctor and wife one winsome daughter has been born, Esther
F., whose date of birth occurred in November, 1894. She graduated from
the Battle Ground schools in 1909, ha\'ing made a good record for studious-
ness and deportment.
Doctor Throckmorton has long taken an interest in fraternal work, be-
ing a member of Battle Ground Lodge, No. 313, Free and Accepted Masons;
also the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 659, at Battle Ground;
and Tippecanoe Lodge, No. 273, Knights of Pythias. In the Odd Fellows
lodge he is past noble grand, and served two terms as deputy grand master.
He is also a member of Tecumseh Encampment, No. 292. He is a Re-
publican in politics and is a member of the pension board in Tippecanoe
county. Both Mr. and Mrs. Throckmorton enjoy the friendship of a wide
acquaintance in this county.
MILTON BUCK.
Of those who have seen the wonderful development of Tippecanoe coun-
ty from the swamps and primeval forests and who have played well their
part in the great undertaking, none deserve special mention in a historical
work better than Milton Buck, whose conversation is at once instructive and
interesting as he recalls the pioneer days, the times when there were only
log school houses, with puncheon floors and greased paper for window
panes, the long miles of endless woods, large numbers of deer and other wild
animals which haunted the forests at that remote period, and of the days
when civilization first attempted to reclaim these lands, turning them into
fine farms, where plenty and happiness now abound. He was born near the
picturesque spot where Indian creek empties its waters into the turbid Wa-
bash river, in Shelby township, Tippecanoe county, November 28, 1837. He
was the son of M. and Mary ( Beauchamp) Buck, typical old-type pioneers.
1 1 62 PAST AND PRESENT
fearless and noble. David Buck, grandfather of ^klilton, was a native oi
Mrginia. who emigrated to the Buckeye state early in life and there married,
and there it was that the father of Milton Buck was born and when he reached
man's estate married Mary Beauchamp. They emigrated from their native
state to Indiana, settling in Tippecanoe county as early as the twenties. They
were frugal and soon had a home in the midst of the forest, becoming pros-
perous in time, owning several fine farms, amounting in all to nearly eight
hundred acres. They were the parents of fourteen children, eight of whom
grew to maturity, as follows: John, Aaron, Washington, iNlilton, Amazire,
David A., Alexander and Xewton. Four are living at this writing, David
A., Alexander, George Washington and Milton.
Having been reared on the farm, Milton Buck took quite naturally to
this line of work. Early in boyhood he learned to swing the ax, helping to
clear, improve and cultivate his father's farm in Shelb'y township. He had
little opportunity to attentl school, but got what education he could from the
old log school house, ^^"hen eighteen years of age he went to live with an
older brother. John, on whose farm he worked until his brother's death, two
years later. He had accumulated some money and decided to invest in a
farm. Since then his progress has been steady and he is now the owner of
nearly four hundred acres of land besides his property in Battle Ground.
His farm is highly improved and very productive, showing that a man of
excellent judgment has had its management in hand. He keeps some good
stock and has a comfortable and commodious home, surrounded by excellent
outbuildings. He is a cattle raiser besides a general farmer, having made the
major portion of his competency in that way. He frequently buys and ships
stock to market.
In February. 1862. 'SLv. Buck married Hester A. Foster, daughter of
Jeremiah B. and Elizabeth (Johnson) Foster, prosperous farmers of War-
ren county, this state. ^Irs. Buck was born in that county in December,
1841, and reared on a farm, receiving her education in the district schools.
She has been faithful in all life's walks and is a woman of gracious person-
ality. To this marriage twelve children were born, eight of whom grew to
mtaurity and six of whom are living at this writing, namely : Anna, wife of
William Bratz, living in Texas: J. B., who married Alice Hawkins, is a
prominent farmer. of Tippecanoe county; Dr, George H., a practicing physi-
cian in Burrough, Carroll county, who married Helen Justice: E. O. married
Ella Franklin and is now living in \\'arren county, this state: Charles L.,
who married Edna Lemon, is now farming: Daisy is still a member of the
family circle.
^ ^r^ . aIa^mJT^
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. II63
]\Ii-. and Mrs. Buck have long been prominent in the affairs of the Meth-
odist church, holding membership in their old home church in Warren coun-
ty. Politically, ^Nlrs. Buck has been a supporter of the principles laid down
by the Democratic party since his mature years. He and his good wife are
widely known for their hospitality, no worthy person ever having left their
door unfed, and their high standing among the people of Tippecanoe county
shows well how their lives ha\-e been spent, for they are appreciated for
their wholesome lives in every respect, to society, to the church and to the
state. ^lilton Buck is a man who never used an oath in all his life.
JOSEPH C. STERRETT.
Samuel Sterrett, grandfather of the gentleman whose life record we
here take under review, was born in Ireland, and while still an energetic
lad, after studying conditions at home and listening to the fascinating stories
of free America, conceived the idea of coming here, with the result that
while yet a single man he got together enough money to pay his passage
across the Atlantic, and thus established the Sterrett family in the New
World, descendants of which have played well their parts in various walks of
life. He married here, his first wife being a Miss Porter, and after their
marriage, which occurred in the East, they migrated west, settling in Wayne
county, Indiana, where the wife died, and where Samuel Sterrett married
his second wife, known in her maidenhood as Mary Russell. By the first
wife five children, four daughters and one son, were born, but there were
no children by the second wife. One son, Alexander, father of the gentleman
whose name heads this review, and his brother Joseph came to Laporte coun-
ty, Indiana, in 1830, where Alexander died. He had married Tersey Mc-
Clain, and to them was born Joseph C. Sterrett, of this review, March 20,
1841, who, when his father died. \\'ent to live with his grandparents, who
had then moved to Tippecanoe county from AA'a}'ne county, Joseph C. re-
maining with them until he was ten years of age when Samuel Sterrett, his
grandfather, died ; then a bachelor uncle took him, on whose farm he worked
and attended the neighboring schools, recei\'ing a somewhat limited, but
serviceable education.
When the great war between the states began, Joseph C. Sterrett sym-
pathized with the Union cause, and in August, 1862. enlisted in Company
F, Ninety-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in which he served until the
1164 PAST AND PRESENT
close of the war in a manner that stamped him as a true American soldier.
He was in the Army of the ^^'est under General Sherman, and took part in
the Atlanta campaign, having been at the fall of that stronghold; he was
with this army when it went to Rome. Georgia, and was also on the famous
march to the sea, seeing the fall of Savannah. He was never wounded, but
had some narrow escapes. He is now remembered by his government with
a substantial pension.
Owing to the fact that the military chapter in the life of Mr. Sterrett
is one of the most important as well as interesting, it is deemed advisable
here to subjoin a complete history of the company in which he served. Com-
panv F, Ninety-ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, was mustered
for three years' service, from August 17 to 22, 1862, in Tippecanoe county,
those composing the company being from the following to.wns or vicinity:
Brookston, Battle Ground, Lafayette. Monticello, Crown Point. Winamac,
Pittsburg, Transitville, Westville and one from Indianapolis, by far the
largest number being from Brookston. The official report of Adjutant-
General Terrill shows that Joseph C. Sterrett enlisted at Battle
Ground on August 22, 1862. and for gallant ser\-ice was promoted to cor-
poral and was mustered out with the company on June 5, 1865. He saw
some hard service in many trying campaigns and battles, serving with his
company in western Tennessee in 1862 and 1863, against Vicksburg in 1863.
in the relief of Chattanooga in 1863, in the pursuit of Bragg in 1863. in
East Tennessee in 1863 and 1864. Of this company the following died while
in the service : John P. Russell. Thomas H. Calvin. Alexander Herron,
Adam Kions. Ephriam Loman, Archibald ^McLean. William Shaw and
Hallett Barber. Nathaniel Matthews and Lemuel E. Newell were drowned
near Helena, Arkansas, and notwithstanding the many engagements in which
the company participated only two were killed; they were John \\'. Hughes,
at Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia, June 27, 1864. and Andrew J. Herring-
ton at Chattanooga, Tennessee, January 5, 1865.
Following is the complete roster of this company; ^^■illiam Kent, first
sergeant, was promoted to second lieutenant: sergeants — John F. Ramey.
promoted to first lieutenant; John C. Klepinger. John S. Davenport, Thomas
J. Thompson ; corporals — Patrick Sullivan, Alaly T. Ramey, ^^'illiam Best,
John W. IMcClure. William Beeker, John D. ]\Iyers : musicians — John P.
Russell and William Lockwood ; wagoner — Lemuel Burson; privates —
Joseph K. Austin. Jesse Ault. John Bunnell, John J. Barnes, Arthur J. Brack-
nev. David Buckman. Levi C. Bryant. John S. Critchfield, Levi P. Cunning-
ham, Wavwood Cottenham. Robert G. Collins. Thomas H. Calvin, Hiram
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. I165
B. Clegg, George W. Dyer, William G. Downs, Jacob H. Downs, Clark S.
Davenport, Job Eldriclge. Francis M. Fierce, Stephen B. Gould, I\Iark Geater,
Adolphus German, John W. Hughes, Louis House, Alexander Herron, Sam-
uel Irwin, Frederick Jennings, John W. Jeanes, John Kenney, Adam Kions,
David C. Little, Ephriam Loman, John S. Little, Archibald McLean,
Nathaniel Matthews, George P. Metz, Michael Miller, Thomas McCartha,
William Myers, William Maxson, Lemuel E. Newell, William M. Nelson,
William Overhaults, James M. Pengry, David Piatt, William' Rarden, John
W. Rush, Ebenezer Riley, William Rush, George W. Smith, Isaac Smith,
William F. Smith, Edward W. Spears, Christian Summerstate, John Sayers,
George A. Stewart, Joseph C. Sterrett, William Shaw, Moses F. Shaw, Wil-
liam T. Simms, Greenberry Smith, John Sherman, Richard Striker, George
A. Stevenson, Francis Trainer, Nicholas Vincent, Henry V. Walker, Wesley
Walden; recruits — Samuel Arnold, Hallett Barber. Henry Goldsberry, An-
drew J. Herrington, James K. Lee and Nelson G. Smith.
At the close of the war Mr. Sterrett returned to Tippecanoe county
and began farming, which he has since continued in a most successful man-
ner, having developed an excellent farm which has yielded an excellent in-
come from year to year, his farm of four hundred and twenty-eight acres
in Tippecanoe township being one of the model farms of this highly favored
section of the Hoosier state. He has a modern, commodious and nicely fur-
nished dwelling, large substantial barns and outbuildings, and general farm-
ing and stock raising is carried on extensively, showing that Mr. Sterrett
is a man of sound judgment, and up-to-date business principles are employed
in all his affairs. He is deserving of much credit for what he has accom-
plished when we consider that he first started farming on a small interest
in sixty acres, then bought forty-six acres adjoining, then forty acres, then
thirty-nine acres, then eighty-eight acres, then two hundred acres. The rest
of this fine farm he has made unaided. His land is conservatively worth
one hundred dollars per acre. No small part of his competence has been
secured by raising hogs and cattle.
Mr. Sterrett's happy domestic life began April 15, 1866, when he chose
as a life partner Orlena Beeker, a descendant of John Beeker, who came to
Tippecanoe township, this county, as early as 1827, and, like many pioneers
of that time, succeeded in getting a good start in the then new common-
wealth of Indiana. To Mr. and Mrs. Sterrett eight children have been born,
namely: Clinton, Dosia, Cora, Sumner, Osa and Oda (twins), Carl and
Macy. These children ha\-e been given good educations and are fairly well
started in the battle of life.
1 1 66 PAST AND PRESENT
In his fraternal relations, Mr. Sterrett is a member of Battle Ground
Lodge, No. 313, Free and Accepted Masons, being past master of the same.
He is religiously inclined and is a stanch member of the Methodist Episcopal
church at Battle Ground, Indiana. Although a Democrat all his life, he has
not sought public office, merely preferring to attend to his private affairs
and to cast his vote for the men he believes to be best fitted to serve the
people, consequently he is independent in local politics. Any movement
having for its object the betterment of his township and county in any form
has in Mr. Sterrett a loyal supporter and advocate.
THE FOWLER FAMILY.
Moses Fowler, the head of the family of which this memoir treats, was
unlike the man who slips noiselessly through life, touching here and there
only the lesser interests of the community, and after a quiet, unobserved
career, steps from the scenes of his activity, to be missed by only his imme-
diate family. In the case of [Mr. Fowler, his intense nature caused his influ-
ence to be felt along almost every avenue of enterprise and legitimate indus-
try within the extensive scope in which he was a masterly operator for a long
period of time, thus connecting himself with men of achievement who "do
things" for their day and generation, and whose memory is long cherished
for the lasting results which their minds and hands have worthily wrought.
Mr. Fowler was the son of Samuel and Mary (Rogers) Fowler, who
were descendants of the old Revolutionary stock, and were both reared
in Virginia, inheriting the patriotic pride of the Old Dominion common-
wealth. The father was a soldier in the Revolutionary struggle, and both
parents removed to Ohio before the birth of their son. Moses, the chief sub-
ject of this biographical memoir, was born near Circleville, Pickaway county,
Ohio, April 30, 181 5. and remained on his father's farm until sixteen years
of age, assisting his father summers and attending school during the winter
months. He next went to Circleville to learn the trade of a tanner, under
the direction of James Bell, who owned an extensive tannery at that point.
After serving two years, Mr. Bell was so impressed with the young man's
ability and business foresight that he wanted him as a partner in the busi-
ness, but this offer young Fowler respectfully declined, preferring a clerkship
which was tendered him in a dry goods store belonging to an excellent busi-
ness man at Adelphi, Ross county. There he remained about three years,
mastering the business and saving his earnings. The spring of 1S39 marked
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. IIU/
a new era in the life of Mr. Fowler, who was then twenty-four years of
age, in the prime of his young manhood and entering the doorway of an
eventful life. At that date he, in company with John Purdue (founder of
Purdue University in later years), removed to Lafayette, Indiana, where they
established a store of their own. The only capital Air. Fowler then pos-
sessed (and a part of that was borrowed) was seven hundred dollars. Dur>
ing the five years following the foundations of the future fortunes of both
these young men were laid. At the termination of this partnership, Mr.
Fowler embarked in a similar business on his own account, in his own room,
on what is now the corner of Main and Second streets, Lafayette. So
great was his success that at the end of a half dozen years he was able to
close out his store and become an equal pai'tner with William F. Reynolds
and Robert Stockwell, under the firm name of Reynolds, Fowler & Stockwell,
in the wholesale grocery business, which at that date required no little
capital. Mr. Fowler managed the business largely, and purchased the great
bulk of the goods. For seven years this firm conducted the leading whole-
sale grocery house in Indiana. Although Lafayette was then but a small
village, it was the terminus of the Wabash & Erie Canal, as well as at the
head of na\igation on the Wabash river. They had a trade extending over
a radius of more than one hundred miles. So prodigious was their trade
that they frequently chartered a whole fleet of steamboats to transport their
southern supplies, including sugars, syrups, molasses, coffee, rice, etc., from
New Orleans. The Wabash river then allowed steamboats of the largest
magnitude to ply its waters as high up as Lafayette. Many times from six
to eight of these boats might have been seen unloading at the Lafayette
wharf. With large sales and good profits, Mr. Fowler, at the end of a few
years, had accumulated a handsome competency and retired from this line of
business. However, he had not ended his career as a business factor in
Indiana, for he had really but laid his foundation deep and strong for his
future operations.
Two years after his arrival in Lafayette, Mr. Fowler was made one
of the directors of the old Indiana State Bank, which position he held until
the bank closed up its business. Subsequently, and after the organization
of the Bank of the State, Hon. Hugh McCullough, supervisor of all the
banks in the series throughout the entire state, selected Mr. Fowler to organ-
ize the branch at Lafayette, with a capital of three hundred thousand dollars.
The stock was speedily taken and he was made president of this branch.
This system of banking in Indiana existed eight years, during which time
Mr. Fowler was a delegate to the Bank Board, which held its sessions at
Indianapolis and which had charge of all the banks of the branch character
1 1 68 PAST AND PRESENT
within the state. With one exception, the Lafayette liranch was the most
successful of all these banking houses. It was finally wound up to the profit
and entire satisfaction of all concerned.
In 1865 Mr. Fowler secured a charter from the Unitetl States govern-
ment to organize the National State Bank of Lafayette, with a capital of
six hundred thousand dollars, and of which he was made president. This was
even a greater bank and succeeded far beyond the operations of the former
bank which he had been at the head of. The charter of this bank expired in
January, 1885.
Thus Mr. Fowler had been in one way or another connected with the
banking business for about thirty years, and desired to retire from the cares
and perplexities of the business which had grown to such magnitude, but
when this desire was made known to those with whom he had long been
associated, they stoutly protested and wanted him to organize a new^ bank-
ing house in Lafayette. Chiefly to gratify his old stockholders, he consented
to do so. He was finally led to this step, at the instance of his old-time
cashier. Brown Brockenbrough. He organized the National Fowler Bank of
Lafayette, a small national bank of only one hundred thousand dollars capital,
the stock of which he chiefly held himself. But instead of reducing his
business and accompanying cares, he in reality increased it. His honor as
a banker was everywhere known ; no one cared what the advertised cash cap-
ital of the new bank might be so long as he was at its head. Deposits soon
reached the million dollar mark, a sum equal to all other national banks in
Lafayette. Its growth and financial success and profits was indeed phe-
nomenal. Had he left no other monument to his great business ability than
this banking concern it were sufficient to preser\-e his name in the minds of
the coming generations.
But not alone in the roll of a banker did this man succeed. In 1861
—the first year of the Civil war period — he organized the firm of Culbertson,
Blair & Company, of Chicago, of which he became a member. This was a
firm engaged extensively in the slaughter of cattle and hogs, doing a general
meat packing business. It was next to the largest plant in that line of busi-
ness in the entire West. After eight years. Mr. Fowler withdrew from the
fimi, selling his share for a quarter of a million dollars. But his business
tact and tendency still urged him on in the direction of other large conquests.
The next speculation was the purchase of large tracts of unimproved lands,
in company with Adam Earl, Esq. Their plan was to put large droves of
cattle on these lands, and after partly subduing the land then make farming
tracts of it. These lands were located in Benton county, Indiana. After
twelve thousanil acres had been purchased, under the first arrangement, Mr.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. Il6g
Fowler preferring to be sole owner in the business, conducted it on his own
account, he having divided the former lands with his partner. He continued
to purchase lands in this county, until he owned in his own right, and in
the very heart of the rich county, twenty thousand acres. After having
thus secured these lands, he set about the building of a railroad through the
same, which line of highway should connect his interests whh the great
cities of Chicago and Cincinnati, his lands being one hundred miles south-
east of Chicago. He had already had some railroad experience, having been
one of the directors of the Cincinnati & Lafayette Railway Company. This
knowledge was now to serve him a good turn. He. with two other men. or-
ganized a company and constructed the Cincinnati. Lafayette & Chicago
Railroad, since known as the Kankakee Short Line, being the most im-
portant link in the "Big Four' system between Chicago and Cincinnati. The
next stroke of business diplomacy was to move the county seat from Oxford
to the town of Fowler, in the center of the county where his landed estate
was situated. This was soon accomplished, ]Mr. Fowler donating forty
thousand dollars to Benton county for court house purposes and additional
grounds for buildings. By this improvement, including the construction of
the railroad, Benton county was made a county of value and importance,
while up to the day of this transformation it had been one of the most
valueless, back-woods districts within Indiana. He verilv made the waste
places blossom like the rose.
Besides the lands already specified in the narrative. Mr. Fowler owned
immense tracts in \\'arren county, adjoining; also in ^^'hite county. In
the two counties he owned fully twenty-five thousanil acres of land. In 1886
these lands were valued at an average of fifty dollars per acre. For more
than a decade he, with William S. VanNatta, business manager, was en-
gaged in the cattle business on these lands. The droves contained two
thousand head of fine cattle, which eventually found their way to the markets
of Chicago and the far East. Among these cattle were to be found about
five hundred head of the finest Herefords in the United States. On these
broad acres Mr. Fowler had about ten thousand acres planted annually to
corn, oats and other crops. His pastures were carpeted with as fine a
growth of blue grass as ever graced the soil of the famous Kentuckv blue
grass district. It will go almost without saying that Mr. Fowler became
one of, if not altogether, the wealthiest citizen of Indiana.
With all of his immense business operations, Mr. Fowler ne\er shirked
his obligations as a loyal citizen of the county, state and nation. In his pol-
itics, he was originally a Whig, tried and true in principle. When the Re-
(74)
I I/O PAST AND PRESENT
publican party was formed he became one of its pioneer members and,
while never allowing his name to be up for public office, he ever aided the
cause of the political party of his choice. In the dark days of the great
Rebellion he aided his country mightily by both means and personal influ-
ence. Too old to enter the ranks of the Union army himself, he sent a
substitute who carried the musket three and more long years. Gov. Le\i
P. Morton found in him a wise counsellor and confiding friend. While a
man of affairs and largely absorbed, it might seem, with secular matters, yet
he ever did his duty as a Christian gentleman, he having been connected with
the Presbyterian church from his early manhood. In Lafayette he was a
worthy member of the Second Presbyterian church and for almost thirty
years was a trustee in that church. He was also a trustee of the Wabash
College for a quarter of a century. He, with a few men, donated bank stock
to the sum of thirty thousand dollars to be used for the support of this in-
stitution.
Mr. Fowler was married in 1843 to Eliza Hawkins, daughter of James
and Susannah (Jones) Hawkins. Mrs. Fowler's paternal grandfather was
Benjamin Hawkins, of English ancestry. James Hawkins moved to Ohio
from South Carolina, with his parents, who located in Butler county when
he was a mere lad. The date of his birth was January 8, 1788. The date
of his death was December, 1850, his widow surviving him five years.
Politically he was a Whig, and in religious faith both he and his good wife
were members of the society of Friends. He became a pioneer in Tippe-
canoe county in 1829. He was the father of eleven children, Mrs. Fowler
being one of the daughters. ]\Ir. and Mrs. Moses Fowler were the parents
of five children — three daughters and two sons. Two died in infancy. They
were as follows: Annis, who married Fred S. Chase (eldest son of H. W.
Chase, of Lafayette), a graduate of Yale College and an attorney of La-
fayette. This daughter, Mrs. Chase, died about 1885, leaving a son whom,
in honor of her father, she named Fowler. The other daughter, Ophelia,
married Charles H. Duleme, of Cincinnati, now dead. The son, James
Fowler, after he obtained his education, was associated with his father in
business. More concerning the son will appear elsewhere in this work.
Pre-eminently a self-made man, Moses Fowler forged his way steadily
to the front rank of industrial men of his times. He had but a limited
education, no money with which to commence his operations, but did pos-
sess that peculiar genius for accumulating wealth that is seldom surpassed
in this country. His judgment was of the best; his acts were always on a
"square deal" basis, and among his traits of noble manhood may be enumer-
ated these — honesty, industry, courage, energy, and by the preservation of
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. II7I
his self-control and the observance of a courteous manner under all circum-
stances he was enabled to attain the height of business standards, finally
being crowned with ultimate success, and enjoyed an exalted power of in-
fluence.
Strange as it ma}- seem, in all of his eventful career he never gave a
mortgage on any of his property, save in a case or two where it was given
as a matter of form in purchasing some tracts of land. Again, he never
had but two suits at law, and then he was made the defendant and won
his judgment against the parties for the plaintiffs in such action. This is
all in contrast to such other men who do a large business on borrowed cap-
ital, and are made parties to numerous suits at law, by reason of their over-
reaching and questionable methods of transacting business with their fel-
low men.
Not only did he make money fast during the latter years of his busi-
ness career, but he used wealth for the good of his family and the great
busy world of men and women less fortunate than himself. Finally the
end came and this good man and public benefactor passed to his rest on
August 19, 1889. He left a widow and two children, and not only they but
the whole state of Indiana mourned his loss. He had reached the advanced
age of seventy-five years. His was truly an eventful life and a praiseworthy
career, of which the world has none too many.
JAMES M. FOWLER.
In a work of the province assigned to the one at hand, having to do
with the representative citizens of Tippecanoe county, James M. Fowler,
a well known banker of Lafayette, is most consistently accorded recogni-
tion, for as the worthy son of a worthy sire he has played well his part in
the development of the interests of this locality. He was born in this city
October 7, 1844, the only son of Moses and Eliza (Hawkins) Fowler, who
for many decades were among the best known people of this localitv and
whose praiseworthy lives are given proper notice on other pages of this
work.
James M. Fowler had the advantages of a common-school education
and one year at Wabash College, receiving a very serviceable text-book
training which has subsequently been augmented by extensive miscellaneous
reading and travel and by contact with the business world. When the Civil
1172 PAST AND PRESENT
war began he proved his loyalty to the Union cause by offering his services
to the government, going to the front in an Indiana regiment.
When eighteen years of age Mr. Fowler began his eminently successful
business career by working for the wholesale grocery house of Earl &
Hatcher, but not finding this line of mercliandising exactly to his tastes, he
became a partner in the wholesale dry goods business of Dodge, Curtis &
Company in 1867, from which he retired in 1884 to enter the National State
Bank of Lafayette, of which his father was president. He at once showed
his adaptability for the banking business. In 1885, the charter having ex-
pired, the bank was reorganized under the name of the National Fowler
Bank. In 1889, when his father died, Mr. Fowler was made president of
the institution, which position he has continued to occupy, fulfilling the
duties of the same with a fidelity of purpose that has stamped him as a
financier of more than ordinary executive capacity and business acumen,
Mr. Fowler having followed in the footsteps of his father as a safe, conserv-
ative and successful banker. He has many other business interests which
claim his attention, but he manages large affairs with perfect ease and suc-
cess, owing to the splendid system of his methods. He has large land in-
terests in Benton county, Indiana, near Fowler. He is also largely inter-
ested in business matters in Chicago, and he easily takes front rank among
those men of large affairs in northern Indiana.
Never active in politics, Mr. Fowler is, nevertheless, a stanch Repub-
lican and he takes an abiding interest in political and other questions of
national and local import which are occupying the attention of the thought-
ful and public-spirited citizens throughout the land; in fact, any movement
or enterprise which has for its object the betterment of the community
at large. He takes just pride in the fact that he never "speculates," never
borrows, or gives mortgages on his property. He has served as a trustee
of the Lafayette Savings Bank for several years. He has served for many
years as a trustee of the Second Presbyterian church, of which his family
are members. He has always been a good friend to Purdue University in
West Lafayette, and has been treasurer of that institution for the past
twenty years. When his mother gave seventy thousand dollars to erect Eliza
Fowler Hall he completed the building by adding a fine pipe organ and
later had the hall handsomely decorated.
Mr. Fowler was married at Tiffin. Ohio. June 3, 1875, to Eva Hedges
Gross, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Hedges) Gross. She is a talented
and cultured, lady, the representative of a prominent family. Mr. and Mrs.
Fowler's pleasant home has been blessed by the birth of four children, three
sons and a daughter, the oldest son dying in infancy. The oldest living son.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. II73
Cecil G. Fowler, was married in 1902 at Watseka, Illinois, to Louise Camp-
bell, and they are the parents of one child, James M. Fowler, the third, who
was born April 14, 1909. Mr. Fowler's second son is James M. Fowler,
Jr., and his daughter is Elizabeth Fowler, both unmarried. These children
have received every advantage from an educational standpoint and they
all give promise of successful and happy futures.
Personally Mr. Fowler is plain and unassuming, a man of genial ad-
dress and courteous demeanor, making and holding friends readily. He
wields a wide influence among those with whom his lot has been cast, ever
having the afifairs of his county at heart and doing what he could to aid
in its development, whether in material, educational, civic or religious mat-
ters. A high purpose, vigorous prosecution of business, fidelity to duty
and a just regard for the rights of others are some of the means by which
he has made himself useful, and he has kept untarnished the bright escutch-
eon of an honored familv name.
HENRY HEATH VINTON.
No member of the Tippecanoe county bar is more highly esteemed among
his professional associates and no citizen of the county enjoys a greater meas-
ure of respect among the people generally than the gentleman whose name
appears above, who is rendering efficient service as judge of the superior court
of Tippecanoe county.
Henry H. Vinton is a native son of Tippecanoe county, having been born
at Lafayette on November 30, 1864, and is a son of David Perrine and Eliza-
beth Catherine Vinton. He was reared under the parental roof and received
his elementary education in the public schools of Lafayette, later becoming a
student in Purdue University, where he was graduated in 1885. Having
decided upon the legal profession as his life work, the subject read law in
the office of Cofifroth & Stuart at Lafayette in 1885-86, and during 1886-87 he
attended the Columbia Law School. In the latter year he was admitted to
the Tippecanoe county bar, and he practiced law in this city in partnership
with his father, David P. Vinton, from 1889 until the latter's death, and from
that time until February, 1901, he was associated in the practice with Edgar
D. Randolph. In 1898 Mr. Vinton was appointed referee in bankruptcy by
Hon. John H. Baker, United States district judge for the district of Indiana.
He was appointed judge of the superior court of Tippecanoe county bv Gov-
ernor Winfield T. Durbin on February 8, 190 1. At the regular election in
I 1 74 P'-^ST AND PRESENT
November, 1902, he was elected to this position, and so eminently satisfactory
were the services rendered by him on the bench that lie was re-elected in
November, 1908.
On June 13, 1888, Judge Vinton was united in marriage to Mabel Lev-
ering, and they have one child, a daughter. Katherine Levering Vinton.
COL. RICHARD M. SMOCK.
An honored veteran of the late Civil war and, since the close of that
struggle, called to fill various positions of trust, Col. Richard M. Smock,
late commandant of the Indiana State Soldiers' Home at Lafayette, has been
much before the public and today few men in Indiana are so widely known or
as highly esteemed. His life, a very strenuous one, has been largely devoted
to the public good and among the state's distinguished men his name will
always be accorded a conspicuous place. The Smock family is of Dutch
origin and was first represented in America as long ago as 1654 by certain im-
migrants, who settled in Long Island, who figured prominently in the develop-
ment and subsequent history of that part of York state. Subsequently, the
descendants of those early comers migrated to other parts, some moving to
New Jersey and others to Pennsylvania, and later the family name became
familiar on the frontier of Kentucky, especially in the county of Mercer, where
the subject's grandfather, John Smock, settled while the country was still in
the throes of warfare with the Indians. John Smock was married in his
native state of Pennsylvania, October 21, 1786, to Ann \'anarsdalen, whose
father, Simon Vanarsdalen, was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. It
was shortly after this marriage that the young couple joined the tide of emi-
gration to the rich alluvial valleys of Kentucky, but which proved to them, as
it had proved to many others, to be "the dark and bloody ground," as they
shared all the vicissitudes and hardships of pioneer life and were not exempt
from the dangers to which not a few of their friends and companions suc-
cumbed. Among the children of John and Ann Smock was a son by the name
of Isaac, whose birth occurred in Mercer county, but who removed in 1827 to
Marion county, Indiana, locating about six miles south of Indianapolis on a
farm which he made his home during the remainder of his life. When a young
man, he married Ann T. Smock of Shelby county, Kentucky, but then a resi-
dent of ]\Iari(in c<iunty, Indiana, who bore him eleven children, of whom five
sons and one daughter are living, viz. : William C. a lawyer of Indianapolis;
Colonel R. M.. the second in order of birth: Charles E., a bookkeeper for a
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 1 1 75
business firm in Indianapolis ; Fred L., a retired farmer, and John M., a farmer
living on the family homestead, one hundred and seventeen acres, which he
owns. The daughter is the widow of the late Dr. Charles M. Gravis, who
died recently in Martinsville, Indiana. Isaac Smock was a farmer by occu-
pation and a man of sturdy character and excellent repute. He lived to be
seventy-eight years old, his wife surviving him some years and dying at the
age of eighty-five.
Richard M. Smock was born April 2, 1841, and spent his childhood and
youth on the family homestead in Marion county, attending such schools in
the meantime as the county afforded and obtaining his first knowledge of
practical affairs by laboring in the fields. His early life was without incident
worthy of note and until attaining his majority he assisted his father in cul-
tivating the crops, ministering to his parents' comfort with filial devotion and
under all circumstances proving a true and loyal son.
Meanwhile the struggle over the extension of slavery was approaching
and, being a reader and close observer, the subject perceived the ominous in-
dications of the troublous times, which in the no distant future would
deluge the country with fraternal blood. Sometime after the war cloud gath-
ered and burst, young Smock put aside all personal considerations and, with
an earnest desire to be of service to his country, enlisted on July 19, 1862, at
Indianapolis, in Company G, Seventieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry,
under Col. Benjamin Harrison, and in due time was at the front, where he
shared with his comrades the fortunes and vicissitudes of war in a number
of campaigns and battles. On June 16, 1864, he was wounded on the skir-
mish line at Lost Mountains, Georgia, and, being disabled for further field duty,
he was furloughed home and placed on detached service. He continued in
the latter capacity until his discharge June 30, 1865, after which he returned
home and in the following November entered the county clerk's office at Indi-
anapolis, where he held a deputyship for a period of ni'neteen years, during
whiich time he discharged his duties with a credit to himself and to the satis-
faction of his several superiors. Retiring from the clerk's office
at the expiration of the period indicated, Mr. Smock, in 1884. was elected
justice of the peace of Center township, which included the city of Indianap-
olis, and served as such until 1892, having been re-elected in the meantime.
In April, 1893, Colonel Smock was appointed assistant adjutant general
of the Department of Indiana, Grand Army of the Republic, filling the posi-
tion for ten years.
In the month of April, 1903, Colonel Smock was appdinted cummandant
of the Indiana State Soldiers' Home at Lafayette, an important and respon-
sible position, which he filled with ability, for a period iif six years, (h'scharg-
11/6 PAST AND PRESENT
ing the duties incumbent upon him acceptably to the members of the institu-
tion and to the state and proving a capable, impartial and painstaking
official. The Home is one of the largest State institutions for dependent
soldiers and their wives in the United States and the first in which provisions
were made for the support of wives and destitute soldiers' widows. Under
the wise and judicious administration of Colonel Smock, the Home was made
to answer the purposes for which intended and the spirit of harmony and ac-
cord which obtained between officials and members and among the latter, was
largely due to the measures which he inaugurated and the firm but kindly
manner in which all the regulations were enforced. At the expiration of his
period of service, the Colonel retired from the institution, with the confidence
and good will of the many old veterans who received such consideration at
his hands and he will ever live in their affections and memories as a friend
who was always true and loyal to their interests and who hesitated not to
make any reasonable sacrifice to promote their comfort and welfare.
As commandant. Colonel Smock was commissioned with the rank of
colonel by Governor Durbin. the second time by Governor Hanly, both bearing
testimony to his standing as a capable, faithful and judicious officer and to his
fitness for a branch of service which has always demanded a superior order of
talent. He has discharged worthily every trust that was reposed in him,
honored every station to which called, and as a soldier or civilian, in public or
in private life, his record is without a stain and his character above reproach.
The Colonel has been twice married, the first time on December 21, 1865.
to Jane E. Johnson, of Battle Ground, Tippecanoe county, who died after
eight years of mutually happy wedded experience, the union resulting in two
children : Ferdinand C, an architect and builder of Indianapolis, and Hanford
E., ]nincipal bookkeeper for the E. C. Atkins Co., saw manufacturers of that
city. On November 5, 1874, Colonel Smock was united in the bonds of wed-
lock with Frances E. Fisher, of Carroll county, near Delphi, Indiana, who has
been his faithful companion and helpmate from that time to the present, one
child having been born of the marriage, a daughter by the name of Helen G.,
whose untimely death on May 15, 1905, at the age of twenty-eight years, was
profoundly mourned, not only by her parents and immediate relatives, but by
the large circle of friends in the city, by whom she was so greatly beloved and
esteemed.
Mrs. Smock is a daughter of Robert and .\nn (Walters) Fisher, the
father a native of Franklin county, Indiana, the mother born near the city of
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Both were among the pioneers of Tippecanoe
county. Indiana, coming to this part of Indiana in the early twenties and
settling near what is known as Jewettsport, thence removing to Carroll county.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 1 177
where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mrs. Smock was largely
reared and educated in Carroll county, finishing her intellectual discipline at
the Battle Ground Collegiate Institute, which ceased to exist some years ago,
but which for awhile was one of the most popular educational institutions in
this part of the state. She has two brothers living. Robert D. Fisher, of
Indianapolis, and Charles A., a physician of Pittsburg, Kansas, and at the
present time mayor of that town.
Colonel Smock is a member of the Masonic fraternity and past master
of the Ancient Landmarks Lodge, No. 319. being the third oldest living past
master of his lodge. He is also an active and influential worker in the Grand
Army of the Republic, both in the local post, with which he is identified, and
in the affairs of the order throughout the state, being a regular attendant of
the state and national encampments and a prominent figure in the delibera-
tions of these bodies. Religiously, he holds to the Presbyterian creed and,
with his wife, belongs to the Tabernacle church of that denomination in Indi-
anapolis, being liberal in its material support, also to other enterprises having
for their object the moral and spiritual good of his fellowmen. A Republican
in politics, well versed on the issues of the day and thoroughly grounded in
the principles of his party, he is not a partisan in the ordinary sense of the
term, neither has he been an aspirant for office or leadership.
The character and position of Colonel Smock illustrates most happily,
for the purposes of this work, the fact that if a young man be possessed of
the proper attributes of mind and heart, he can attain to a position of un-
mistakable precedence and gain for himself a place among the men who are
foremost factors in shaping the destinies of the state and nation. His career,
both civil and military, proves that the only true success in life is that which
is accomplished by personal effort and strict regard for duty. It also proves
that the road to success is open to all young men who have the courage to
tread its pathway and the record of such a man will serve as an inspiration to
the youth of this and future generations and teach by incontrovertible facts
that success is ambition's legitimate answer.
THE WABASH VALLEY S. D. A. SANITARIUM AND MISSIONARY
TRAINING SCHOOL.
Attractively located (jn the banks of the beautiful ^^'abash ri\er, famous
in song, story and Indian tradition, is the noted and praiseworthy institution
under the auspices of the Seventh-day Adventists. an institution utilizing all
I I Jo PAST AXD PRESENT
measures included under tlie term physiological therapeutics and one in which
the city of Lafayette and the county of Tippecanoe may well be proud. It is
located very conveniently three miles north of the city and may be reached by
a trolley ride of less than fifteen minutes. The buildings are on the eastern
slope of the banks of the river, amid groves, parks and tiower gardens, and
overlooking the beautiful valley. Nature has done more toward beautifying
the location than is possible for human art and skill to do in centuries. The
ever sparkling spring water, the eight acres of well-kept lawn, the constantly
flowing river with its unsurpassed facilities for boating and bathing, and the
almost unbroken chain of wooded hills rising to a height of several hundred
feet, offering a splendid view of nature's panorama, make an ideal place for
both health and scenery. The equipment of the sanitarium could not be bet-
ter, modern, new, thoroughly prepared for work in a scientific and up-to-date
manner. The commodious halls, lounging and reading rooms on each floor
are very inviting, as is also the large veranda space. The parlor and dining
room are airy and comfortable almost to luxury, and the treatment rooms
are perfectly sanitary. The stairways are wide and easy of access, a good
electric elevator has been installed, and the building is steam heated and lighted
with electricity. A general air of harmony, good will and home comfort
prevails and according to patients who have been here, they soon forget that
they are sick and find themselves members of an exceedingly happy family.
One of the essential features of the institution is its instructive and educa-
tional features, where the patient is impressed with the importance of living
in harmony with the health laws of nature ; that correct living is indispensable
in order to maintain soundness of mind and body; that man cannot defy
nature's laws with impunity. Lectures are given by the pliysicians on general
topics of health, which are always both instructive and entertaining. Instruc-
tion is also given in the art of cooking.
Among the most important facilities offered by the sanitarium are its
extensive treatment rooms which are equipped for the employment of all
recognized hydrotherapeutic measures, most important of which are the fa-
mous electric light baths, electric hydric baths, salt glows, fomentations, packs,
etc. Special attention is given to massage, which is administered in the most
thorough and scientific manner. The electric department employs the fol-
lowing currents: static, faradic. galvanic and sinusoidal, also a complete
X-ray outfit. All forms of disease are treated, except such as, by their na-
ture, would prove detrimental to the interests of the other patients and guests,
as serious mental disorders, infectious and contagious diseases. Invalids con-
sidered incurable under less favorable conditions, frequently find relief or
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. I I 79
permanent help by the various improved methods of treatment provided by
the sanitarium.
Dietetics as a remedial measure is of great importance, and this subject
receives special attention at the Wabash Valley Sanitarium. The culinary
department is carefully supervised, and, as elsewhere in the institution, the
laws of simplicity and actual needs of the system are taken as a guide in the
selection and preparation of a natural, wholesome and nutritious diet. Tea,
coffee and flesh-foods are not found on the sanitarium tables, their place
being supplied with healthful foods, which are made so inviting that those
foods and beverages which are frequently responsible for the disease from
which the patient suffers are no longer desired.
The following daily program is carried out here in a most systematic
manner: 6:00 to 6:30 A. M., rising, morning tonic bath; 7:15 to 7:30 A. M.,
morning worship in the parlor; 7:30 to 8:15, breakfast; 8:15 to 8:30 A. M.,
breathing exercises; 9:00 to 12:00 A. IM., treatment and consultation; 12:00
to 12:45 P- M., rest hour; i :oo to 2:00 P. 'SL, dinner; 3:00 to 5:00 P. M.,
treatment and consultation: 6:00 to 6:30 P. INI., lunch; 6:00 to 7:00 P. M.,
gymnastics; 7:15 to 8:00 P. M., lectures, entertainments, etc.: 9:00, retiring;
9 :30, lights out.
Connected with the sanitarium is a scientific laboratory where bacteriolog-
ical, microscopical and chemical work is carried on according to the latest and
most approved scientific methods. In this laboratory examinations are made
of the blood, urine, contents of the stomach, sputum, etc.. which are an im-
portant aid in the diagnosing of diseases and the proper prescribing for the
same. Special laboratory research is made in every case to determine the
exact nature of the disease. Xo better equipped laboratory can be found in
the state.
Believing that many of the readers of this work will have more than a
passing interest in this descriptive article of this wonderful instituti(Mi, the
following rates will be added. They include for the week, board, room,
medical attention and regular treatments consisting of morning spray, gen-
eral treatment in forenoon, and a light supplementary treatment in the after-
noon or evening, for six days in the week. Office treatment and pharmacy
supplies extra. The entrance examination fee includes complete physical ex-
amination, and chemical and microscopical examination of the lilood and
urine. In special cases gastric and sputum analyses are made. Single r^om,
fifteen to thirty dollars: suite of rooms, twenty-five to fifty dollars: JKiard and
room without treatment, ten to twenty dollars: transients, per day, two to
I I so PAST AND PRESENT
three dollars; entrance examination, five to ten dollars; office treatments,
fifty cents to two dollars; day or night nurse, fifteen to twenty dollars.
These paragraphs can only give the reader an idea of what he may ex-
pect in this meritorious sanitarium in a general way. To be fully appreciated,
one must make a visit to it and see what great results are being accomplished
here. It would, indeed, Ije a difficult matter to find a better equipped, more
admirably located and withal more desirable sanitarium than this. Over
seventy other sister institutions are to be found throughout the United States.
Europe, Africa, Australia and Japan, all under the general supervision of,
and safeguarded by, the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, and are there-
fore all conducted on the same general principles, and are a great blessing to
the localities where they are located.
The Wabash Valley Sanitarium Missionary Training School is con-
ducted in connection with the sanitarium proper. It has sent out large
numbers of thoroughly equipped and well prepared men and women for
this line of work, and wonderful results have been achieved by them in
many lands and climes, the laudable work they are doing receiving the
hearty approbation of all who are acquainted with the same. Lafayette and
Tippecanoe county should, indeed, be proud of this institution which would
be a credit to any locality in the United States.
The object of the school is to train missionaries to assist in spreading
the gospel message, and those having other objects in view are not welcomed.
The candidate for a scholarship here must come properly recommended,
his age must range from nineteen to thirty-five years, he must be in good
health, have a good common school education, be possessed of a physical
and mental adaptability to the work of nursing, and an intelligent consecra-
tion to missionary work. All pupils are given a four-months probationary
ticket of admission, after which a permanent ticket is given if conduct,
ability and health have proven satisfactory, but the faculty reserves the right
of dismissal at any time upon just provocation. The course is three years in
length, each year of which is divided into two semesters. At the end of
each subject an examination is given by the instructor, and a general examina-
tion is given by the faculty at the end of each semester. Upon the completion
of the entire course and passing a satisfactory examination, a diploma will
be awarded to all those who have shown evidence of the genuineness of their
missionary calling.
Following is a schedule of classes: First year, first semester, sixteen
weeks — physiology and anatomy, fifty hours : principles of medical and tnis-
sionary work, fifty hours; culinary science, twenty hours, referring only to
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. I181
regular class work. In addition eight weeks' practical work in the kitchen
is required of each student, the final grade given including both the theoretical
and practical work. Domestic economics, fifteen hours; social purity, ten
hours. Second semester, thirty-four weeks — Bible, Old Testament history, six-
ty-five hours ; practical hydrotherapy, fifty hours ; practical massage, twenty-five
hours; practical nursing, twenty-five hours; medical dietetics, twenty hours;
physical culture, twenty hours; electricity, ten hours. Second year, first
semester, twenty-five weeks — Bible doctrines, twenty-five hours; principles of
nursing, twenty-five hours ; theoretical hydrotherapy, fifty hours ; theoretical
massage, fifteen hours; electricity, ten hours; fevers and contagious diseases,
twenty hours. Second semester, twenty-five weeks — Bible doctrines, twenty-
five hours; obstetrics, twenty hours; surgical nursing, twenty-five hours;
bandaging, fifteen hours; operating drill, ten hours; manual Swedish move-
ment, fifteen hours ; nervous and mental diseases, fifteen hours ; physical cul-
ture, twenty hours. Third year, first semester, twenty-five weeks — Bible,
gospel studies, thirty-five hours; general diseases, fifty hours; children's dis-
eases, twenty-five hours ; genecology and genito-urinary diseases, twenty hours :
accidents and emergencies, fifteen hours. Second semester, twenty-five weeks —
Bible, gospel studies continued, forty hours ; materia medica, forty-five hours ;
general hygiene, twenty-five hours ; laboratory work, fifteen hours ; physical
culture, twenty hours; clinics, reviews.
The expenses in the school are reasonable, a rate of only one dollar per
week being charged, which entitles students to the classes of each of the school
vears, and room and board are furnished at three dollars per week, books
and uniforms, twenty-five dollars per year. The sanitarium will provide work
suflRcient to meet the above expenses. The rules of the Missionary Training
School are not rigid, but such as any clean, high-minded person always ob-
serves in every walk of life.
The present faculty of this excellent school is composed of the medical
superintendent, physicians and graduated nurses who are in charge of different
departments of the work. The curriculum is thorough, as may be seen from
the foregoing list of studies.
This institution was erected in 1907, although a similar work had been
carried forward on a smaller scale for two years prior to this. The promoters
of this grand institution and those who composed the board of directors when
the present site was secured and the buildings erected, were Elder W. J.
Stone of Indianapolis, President of the Indiana Conference of Seventh Day
Adventists ; Dr. W. W. Worcester, who has been medical superintendent up to
the present time; T. A. Goodwin, of Indianapolis: Elder C. J. Buhalts,
1 1 82 PAST AND PRESENT
who is located at Lafayette, and W. P. Cunningham, of Middletown, Ind.
These men are to be highly congratulated upon their splendid achievement.
Elder W. J. Stone, whose labors in behalf of this institution have been
of a definite and potential character, has long been recognized as one of the
leading members of his church, whose advice and counsel in all matters of
moment ha\e been considered inxalualjle. A theologian of widely recognized
ability, he has occupied the best pulpits of his church in this section of the
country, being a forceful and eloquent speaker and a faithful and efficient
pastor. As president of the Indiana conference of the Seventh Day Adventist
church, he rendered effective service in advancing the interests of that body.
A man of genial disposition and pleasing address. Elder Stone enjoys a wide
acquaintance and a large circle of warm friends.
JOHN K. Mc:\IILLIX.
A splendid type of the early Virginian, noted alike in song and story, a
type of genuine chivalry now almost passed away in this country, was John K.
McMillin, who was born in Tazewell county, Virginia, near King's Cove, Sep-
tember 2y, 1807, the son of Andrew and Nancy (King) McMillin. His grand-
father, Hugh McMillin, was of Scotch-Irish descent, having come to this coun-
try from Scotland, settling in Raleigh county. North Carolina, later moving to
Spartanburg, South Carolina, where Andrew McAIillin was born. To Mr.
and Mrs. Hugh McMillin eight children were born, an equal number of boys
and girls, namely: Andrew, Robert, Hugh, William, Anna. Mary and two
daughters whose names are not given, each of whom married men named Mc-
Clure. Andrew McMillin married Nancy King, whose ancestors were natives
of England. Her grandfather came to America just before the breaking out
of the Revolutionary war in 1776 and settled at King's Cove, Virginia. He
was killed by the Indians in the troublous days of the Revolution. His son,
James King, was the father of Nancy King and three sons, Elijah, Isaac and
John. After his marriage to Nancy King near King's Cove, Virginia, Andrew
McMillin settled on a farm in Spartanburg county, South Carolina, near the
Packet river. Leaving South Carolina, he moved to Virginia, in which state
John King McMillin was born. Later this family moved to Claiborne county.
Tennessee, at the head of the Old Town creek, ten miles west of Cumberland
Gap. After a residence there of seven or eight years, the McMillins returned
to Virginia. Their family consisted of eight children: Jane, who married
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IN D. 1 1 83
John JMontgomery, li\'e<l and died near Sugar Grove, Tippecanoe county.
Indiana, and James Montgomery, a son, lives at the same place. Martha
married Robert Sayers, lived at \Mieeler's Grove, antl his son, William
Savers, now lives in West Lafayette. A son, Robert, settled at Shawnee
Mound, this county, where he spent the remainder of his life, and of his
family, A. B. and Calvin, lived in West Lafayette and Pickney near Romney.
Susan married Thomas Baker and lives in Fairbury, Illinois. Sarah married
Frank Lane, of Milford, Illinois. Nancy Ann married R. Belcher and died in
Trenton. Missouri. William Pinckney enteiel the ministry of the Methodist
Episcopal church and was a missionary to California in 1849, having died
there in that vear. He was unmarried. ;\Iary married Eli Hicks and lived
and died in Missouri. Elizabeth married S. Kirkpatrick, settled in Iowa, and
died there. Andrew }ilcMillin died in South Carolina, although his home and
his family were in A'irginia. The family mo\-ed from that state to Tippecanoe
county, Indiana, in 1830, bringing with them a capital of only fifty dollars.
They settled on the Wlieeler Grove farm, stopping at the home of A. Kirk-
patrick w'hile they built a double log cabin. This farm of tw^o hundred and
eighty acres is known as the Sayers farm, near Sugar Grove. Here Xancy
(King) McMillin died.
John K. Mc]\Iillin, subject of this review, received a good education and
taught school for some time, thereby becoming able to purchase four hundred
acres of land, known as the ShuU and Price land. He disposed of this and
purchased two hundred acres at four dollars per acre, north of Sugar Grove.
He was a good manager and prospered, adding to his original purchase from
time to time until he had a large and well improved farm.
On January 16, 1838, John K. McMillin married Sarah A. Stafford,
daughter of James Stafford, of near Newtun, I'ountain county, Indiana. She
was born in Highland county, Ohio, and her mother's maiden name was
Nickle. To this union were born eight children, namely : Nancy Ann, who
married John Loftand October 17, i860, died in Crawfordsville, Indiana,
April 13, 1869, leaving a husband and four children. Susan Nickle died
at the old home at the age of nineteen years. Alary Z. died in childhood.
Martha J. is the wife of Abraham Meharry, of near Tolono, Illinois, at whose
home her father died. Sarah E. is the wife of F. A. Insley, of Portland, Ore-
gon. William B. is a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church at New
Whatcom, Washington. He married Araetta A. Downs, of Long Island,
New York. John Stafford married Lou Hiett, daughter of John Hiett, of
Sugar Grove, this county, and they live at Roche Harbor, Washington. Addie
E. is the wife of Barney Simison, of West Lafayette (see his sketch). It
I 1 84 PAST AND PRESENT
was in 1878 that the parents of these children moved to Tippecanoe county.
On February 23, 1885, while Hving at the home of her daughter, Airs.
Aleharry, of Tolono, lUinois, Airs. John AIcAIilHn passed to her rest, after a
beautiful Christian Hfe. Jolm K. AIcAIilHn was conxerted to the Christian
faith in boyhood while living in Virginia, and all through his long and singu-
larly useful life he regarded his Bible as a companion, becoming very fa-
miliar with its contents and he was an exponent of its sublime truths, his
walk before his fellowmen being exemplary in every respect. In politics he
was a Republican. While he took no great amount of interest in politics, he
twice served as commissioner of Tippecanoe county in a very able manner.
His lamented death occurred on Tuesday night. November 10. 1896, at the
advanced age of eighty-nine years, one month and twelve days. His funeral
at Trinity church on the afternoon of the following Saturday was very largely
attended, for he had long been held in high favor by a vast coterie of friends
and neighbors as a result of his pleasing personality and his upright life.
BARNEY SmiSON.
The record of the gentleman whose name appears above is that of a man
who has worked his way from a modest beginning to a place of influence
and financial ease, whose life has been one of unceasing industry and perse-
verance, and the notably systematic and honorable methods he has followed
have won him the unbounded confidence and regard of the citizens of Tippe-
canoe county where he has labored to so goodly ends, not only for himself,
but for the community at large.
Barney Simison. a leading farmer and citizen of Randolph township, was
born in Alercer county, Pennsylvania, January 8, 1856, the son of Parker and
Esther (McKean) Simison, the former a native of New Garden, Ohio,
where his birth occurred in July. 1828, and the latter a native of Lawrence
county, Pennsylvania, where her birth occurred on June 16, 1829. Parker
Simison came to Pennsylvania in an early day when he was yet a young man
and took up farming, also engaging in the milling business, at which he con-
tinued in a most successful manner, building up an extensive patronage and
laying by quite a competency until his death, in the spring of 1905. at the age
of seventy-seven years, finding at last a resting place in Fair Oaks cemetery
at New \\'ilmington. His widow survived him three years, remaining in
Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, being summoned to her reward on November
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 1 185
21, 1008, having reached the age of seventy-nine years. She is buried Ijeside
her husband in Fair Oaks cemetery. They were married in Lawrence county
and spent most of their Hves there, estabhshing a good home and becoming the
parents of ten children, an equal number of boys and girls, all of whom grew
to maturity, six of them living in 1909. Barney is the third child in order
of birth, the other children being Mary Evelyn, William E.. Margaret A.,
David D., Jennie E., Patrick R., Emma, Carrie M. and Jackson G. Those
deceased are Jennie, Margaret, Emma and Patrick R.
Barney Simison entered the graded common schools of his native com-
munity and received a fairly good education. He remained with his parents
in their Pennsylvania home until after he had attained his majority, when.
seized with the western fever, as was many another young man of the Key-
stone state, he set out for Indiana and located in Tippecanoe county where
he soon got a start, for he was a young man of thrift and good judgment. On
November 9, 1886, he was imited in marriage with Adda E. !McMillin. a
native of Jackson township, this county, her birth occurring near Sugar
Grove, January 7, 1861. She is the daughter of John K. and Sarah E.
(Stafford) IMcMillin. (For full record of the McMillin family see sketch of
John K. McMillin. )
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Barney Simison, in a short time,
returned to Pennsylvania, where they remained for a period of two years, then
returned to Indiana, Mr. Simison renting a farm in Jackson township. Tippe-
canoe county, upon which they lived for seven years. They then moved to
Lafayette where Mr. Simison engaged in various mercantile enterprises for
a period of two years and then bought the farm where he now resides in
Randolph township, near Romney. General farming is carried on successfully,
the place ha\-ing been carefully tilled and well improved ?o that it is one of
the valrable farms of the township. On it stand a modern an;l commodious
dwelling and sub.stantial outbuildings.. Mr. Simison pays considerable at-
tention to handling stock, especially feeding lambs for the Chicago market.
He buys principally western lambs. He has topped the market each time he
has been there for six years, or ever since he has been feeding and shipping
lambs. This farm comprises one hundred and three acres, a cursory glance
over which is enough to convince the stranger that its owner is a progressive
agricidturist, for e\-erything about the place denotes thrift and good
management.
Mr. Simison has never aspired to public office, although he has been fre-
quentlv solicited bv his friends and neighbors to serve them in some c:r!acitv.
(75)
Il86 PAST AND PRESENT
He is a Republican and has several times served as delegate to Republican
county conventions. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias,
belonging to New Richmond Lodge No. 288, in which he has passed all the
chairs. Mr. and Mrs. Simison are members of the Methodist Episcopal church
in Romney where they are active in all lines of church work, and in which
Mr. Simison is now steward and a member of the board of trustees, which
offices he has held for several years, carefully looking after the interests of the
local congregation.
Mr. and Mrs. Simison are the parents of two interesting children, a son
and a daughter. Edna Glen, born September 10. 1889. and Frank ]McMillin,
born November 2^. 1891 : they are both members of the liome circle. Edna
Glen married C. Lewis Green, of Attica, Indiana, a yi:>ung attorney.
AUGUST G. FELDT.
None of the countries of the world have sent emigrants to the United
States that are more appreciated than those that come from Sweden. Their
national traits are sobriety, industry, singular self-possession and self-control
and much of the admired quality of common sense. Usually they prefer agri-
culture, but they are successful in all the trades and professions, their strong
qualities always winning out. Tippecanoe county has obtained some of the
desirable accessions to our citizenship and none more highly esteemed than
the Feldt family. John and Mary Johnsdatter Feldt were both natives of
Sweden where they were married and lived during the most of their lives.
John was a blacksmith and mechanic and served in the regular army of his
country for thirty years, during which time three different kings were on the
throne. Being discharged in 1869, he came to this country and remained one
of its esteemed citizens until his death. He had six children. John and the
second child, unnamed, are dead. Charles is a farmer and carpenter in W'ea
township. Albert is a farmer in Ferry township and Augustine is dead.
August G. Feldt, the fourth child, was born in Sweden October 6, 1850,
and at the age of twelve years began to work out for a living. He served
three years as an apprentice to the shoemaker's trade, finally mastered it and
followed it for a lix-elihood for some time. In 1868 he and his brother
Charles came to the United States and secured employment in different lines
that kept the wulf from the door until they could do lietter. August farmed
for three vears and then rented for twentv-five vears the Parker farm in
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. II87
Perry township which he managed for twenty-five years. In 1895 he bought
eighty acres in Perry township, known as the Wallon farm, and under his
energetic management this place has been wonderfully improved during the
last fifteen years. The first year of his occupancy was spent in building a
handsome residence and since then two barns and other outbuildings have
been erected. Being a skillful mechanic he did most of the designing and build-
ing himself. Mr. Field married Mary J. Mangason, of Perry township, by
whom he has had four children ; Agnes died in infancy. Harrv Albert, who
remains at home, has spent his life as a farmer. He is a member of
the Odd Fellows, Dayton Lodge No. 758, and Knights of Pythias, Sheffield
Lodge No. 414. Hattie Alfreda and Edith Blanche are two younger children.
They are all well educated and all still remain under the parental roof. Mr.
Feldt has proven himself to be a good farmer and has profited by the years of
experience he has had in the business. He carries on diversified farming,
raising the cereal crops and all kinds of livestock. He is also an expert car-
penter and blacksmith and during the past twenty years has done much work
at these trades. He was for twenty-five years owner and manager of a
threshing machine, and with his many activities has been a very busy man.
Elected assessor of Perry township in 1897 he served five years acceptably to
his constituents, and has always taken much interest in township afifairs. He
is a member of the Lutheran church and highly respected all over the county.
He came over a very poor boy and has worked very hard, but by pluck and
much perseverance has won success.
LEWIS S. GRUBB.
The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch, the well-known ex-
trustee and assessor of Tippecanoe township, Tippecanoe county, is entitled
to hold high rank among the modern agriculturists of this favored section of
the great Hoosier commonwealth. He is of sterling Ohio parentage, he
himself being a native of the old Buckeye state, having been born near Chil-
licothe, that state, April 3, 1850. The year following, his parents. John and
Louisa (Foust) Grubb, emigrated from their native state to [Montgomery
county, Indiana, and later, in 1866, came to Tippecanoe county. John Grubb
was an honest, plain tiller of the soil and a man whom his neighbors trusted
and liked and he succeeded in getting hold of an excellent farm. At an early
age his son, Lewis S., showed that he had an inclination to follow the hon-
II»6 PAST AND PRESENT
orable pursuit of the husbandman and during the summer months he assisted
with the work on his father's place, attending the district schools in the winter,
and received a fairly good common school education. However, he soon
turned all his energies to learning the best and most improved methods of
agriculture with the result that he has always been considered one of the
leading farmers in his neighborhood, the early training he received under
his father having stood him well in hand during his subsequent career, until
today he is not only one of the leading farmers of Tippecanoe township, but
also a leading factor in the afifairs of the community.
\Mien he had reached maturity and had gotten fairly well launched in life
he chose as a helpmeet Margaret A. Patterson, who was born Februarv 26,
1855, the daughter of Lewis Patterson. She, having been reared on the
farm, has always been interested in agriculture, hence through the happy
years of his married life Lewis S. Grubb has had a faithful companion. The
early education which ]\Irs. Grubb received has enabled her to watch closely
the training of her children, and their success in school work as pupils and as
teachers may be largely attributed to her careful supervision. The names of
these children are Anna, born August 21, 1876, who is now the wife of Frank
Sowders, a resident of Tippecanoe township. She is a graduate of the com-
mon and high schools of Battle Ground, and she was for some time a very
successful teacher in the schools of Tippecanoe county. Nellie was born
April 13, 1880. She, too, passed through the common schools and graduated
from the high school at Battle Ground. She is now the wife of Ray Stewart,
being very comfortably located at Brookston, White county, Indiana. Maggie,
who is now Mrs. Harry ^lartin, a prosperous farmer of this county, was born
July 22. 18S2.
"Sir. Grubb"s well improved and highly productive farm lies in section 15,
Tippecanoe township, and consists of one hundred acres. He has a good house,
barn and such other buildings and farming machinery as his needs require.
He keeps various kinds of stock and poultry.
In church affairs Mr. and Mrs. Grubb are well known in the local congre-
gation of the United Brethren denomination at Liberty chapel, both ha\ing
been members at that place for many years, Mr. Grubb being one of the
trustees of the same. In his fraternal relations he belongs to Battle Ground
Lodge No. 313. Free and Accepted Masons, also Tippecanoe Lodge No. 273,
Knights of Pythias. He has long taken an active interest in political affairs,
and was elected township trustee in the fall of 1904, having ven,' ably held that
office for four years; he also served five years in a very satisfactory manner
as assessor of this township. ]\Ir. and Mrs. Grulili have always held high rank
in their conimunitv.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. Il8g
WILLIAM F. GREEXBURG.
A self-made and successful citizen of Jackson township, Tippecanoe
county, who has, Ijy a life of straightforward industry and uprightness won
the confidence and respect of all with whom he has come into contact, is
William F. Greenburg, who belongs to that large class of foreign-born citizens
who have done so much for the upbuilding of the great Republic of the west.
He was born in Prussia, northern Germany, April 4, 1841, spending his
childhood in his native community, not far from the city of Berlin, receiving
there some education, which, however, was not very extensive, but practical.
Being of poor parentage, he worked as a shepherd in order to pay for his own
schooling, but such admirable grit was bound to win some time, and the
abundant success that has crowned his efforts during his manhood years is sub-
stantial proof that Mr. Greenburg has innate qualities that cannot well fail in
the race for the goal — success, which all men seek one way or another. He is
the son of William and Lottie (Kruger) Greenburg, both natives of Germany,
both having followed the humble calling of a shepherd — plain, honest people.
The mother died in 1863 when fifty-five years of age, her husband surviving
her for several years. He came with his six children to the United States,
landing in New York harbor on June 9, 1865. after a tedious voyage of six
weeks' duration, the trip having been made in an old-fashioned sailing vessel,
carrying both passengers and freight, and the ship was many times blown
out of its course by violent storms. The family did not tarry in New York,
but at once started for what to them was the distant west, Lafayette, Indiana.
This being at the close of the Civil war, it was a serious matter to secure
transportation, owing to the great number of soldiers returning to their homes
and prisoners of war being transported from place to place, the trip from New
York to Lafayette requiring about a week. The family came to Jackson
township, settling on rented ground near Sugar Grove church, where the
father lived until his death, February 16, 1874, at the age of seventy years,
having been born January 3, 1804.
To Mr. and ^Irs. Willim Greenburg eight children were born, all of
whom grew to maturity, and, with one exception, all living at this writing.
They were named as follows: Frederick, Charles, John. William F..
Albertena, Whilimena, August (deceased), and Gusta.
William F. Greenburg remained at home assisting his father with the
farm work until his marriage, which occurred May 15. 1873, in Tippecanoe
county to Emily Staefifen. She was born in NeuhaufT, Prussia. October 7.
I 190 PAST AND PRESENT
1846, the daughter of Jolin and CaroHne Staeffen. both natives of Prussia,
where the latter died. In 1873 Mr. Staefifen brought his two daughters to the
United States and settled on a farm in Tippecanoe county, where Mr.
StaeiTen's death occurred October 26, 1874, at the age of seventy-three years.
They were the parents of four children, all daughters, the wife of Mr.
Greenburg being the youngest in order of birth. Their names are : Wilamina,
Augusta. Lena and Emily. \\'ilamina and Lena still reside in Germany;
Augusta is the wife of Alljert Dettbenner and resides on a farm in Jackson
township, this county.
For a time after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. William F. Greenburg
lived on a farm which thev rented. In 1899 they purchased one hundred and
twenty acres, having prospered and laid by a competency by their judicious
management and hard work. They still reside on this place, which is one of
the most productive and best improved in Jackson township. He has erected
a modern, comfortable and nicely arranged house and good outbuildings and
has been very successful since moving on his present farm on which he con-
ducts a general line of farming in a manner that stamps him as fully abreast
of the times in every respect regarding agricultural matters. He also makes
a specialty of breeding high grade hogs and sheep for the market, always
finding a ready sale for his stock — in fact, they usually bring top prices and
are eagerly sought for.
Mr. and Mrs. Greenburg are the parents of nine children, namely :
Carrie married Arthur Anderson and resides on a farm in Tippecanoe county,
being the parents of one child, Walter. Benjamin married Etta Finnegan.
They reside in Nebraska and have one son. Piatt. Laura is the wife of Darwin
Lane. They reside on a farm in Montgomery county and are the parents
of two children, Edna and Howard. Otto married Lola Clark. They re-
side in Tippecanoe county and are the parents of one child, Rex William.
Minnie is the wife of Edward Berryhill, residing in this county. Julius,
Lillian May, Anna !May and Harry are single and living at home with their
parents.
Mr. Greenburg is a Republican and for some time he has taken much
interest in local political afYairs. He is a loyal supporter of the temperance
cause, taking an active part in the local option movement. He has served
as petit juror many times, but has never aspired to pulilic office, although
he has frequently been solicited for various positions of pulilic trust. Fra-
ternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Wingate, Mont-
gomery county, just across the line from Jackson township; also belongs to
Starlight Lodge No. t,6^. in the work of which he has long been faithful and
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. IIQI
prominent, having passed all the chairs in this order. He and his family
were formerly members of the German Lutheran church in Germany, but
since coming to the United States this family has been associated with the
Methodist Episcopal church, holding their membership with the congregation
at Shawnee Mound, near their home in Jackson township, and they are all
very active in church work. This family bears an excellent reputation and
all its members are favorably known throughout the township.
MIGRAINE McCOY.
Although yet a man young in years, the gentleman whose life record
is herein outlined has stamped his individuality upon the locality where he
resides in no uncertain manner, being an excellent representative of that type
of the much heralded American business man — the type that does things —
Mr. ]\IcCoy being a worthy descendant of a long line of honorable and in-
fluential ancestors.
Moraine McCoy, better known as "Rainey" JNIcCoy, was born in Wea
township, Tippecanoe county, Indiana, June ii, 1879, the son of John McCoy,
a native of Ross county, Ohio ; the latter a son of Joseph McCoy, and he was
the son of James INIcCoy, the latter being a son of Joseph McCoy, a Ken-
tuckian and a pioneer in Ross county, Ohio. He had the distinction of
serving with his brother, Alexander, in the war of 1812. They
were both captured by the Indians near Sandusky, Ohio. Alex was
held by the Indians five years and was finally traded for a barrel of whisky.
Joseph was only held a short time and was released.. Alexander was never
married, but Joseph was the father of two sons and two daughters. He was
the owner of a farm of three hundred acres. His son, James, and family con-
stituted the second settlers in Ross county, Ohio. He marrietl Kate Anderson,
and their children were: Joseph, James, John, \\'illiam and Maria. James
]\IcCoy settled on the old homestead in Ross county, Ohiii, and he was an
elder in the Presbyterian church. He died at the age of sixty-seven years.
His son, Joseph, was born in 1820, educated in the home schools, and
adopted farming as his vocation. He married Xancy Dawley, daughter of
Moses and Mary (Cook) Dawley, natives of Baltimore, Maryland, and also
pioneers of Ross county, Ohio. His children were : James, Nancy and John.
After his marriage Joseph McCoy settled one mile from the old homestead
and devoted his life to farming, becoming comparatively well-to-do. He
life.
1 192 PAST AND PRESENT
and his wife were the parents of seven children, namely : Emma, who married
E. B. Ritchey : John, of Lafayette, and father of Moraine McCoy of this re-
view: James, of Stockwell, Indiana; Kittie is single and is living in Ross
county, Ohio, with her mother; ]\Iaria married John N. Ray, of Wea town-
ship; George died when young; Lucy married Stanton IMorrow. who li\es
in Ross county. Ohio. Joseph McCoy was a Republican in politics and a
member of the Presbyterian church. He had trying experiences during the
Civil war, having been in the army that encountered Morgan, the famous Con-
federate leader, on his northern raid. He was twice wounded by bullets and
was captured by the guerrillas, but was released after a short time. After a
successful life as a farmer, he died in 1892, at the age of seventy-three years.
His widow still lives on the old home place at the advanced age of eighty-
three years. John ]\IcCoy, the father of Moraine ]\IcCoy, married Keltic
Ritchey of Wea township, this county. She was the daughter of John and
Maria L. (Adams) Ritchey, natives of Pickaway county. Ohio, who came
to Tippecanoe county, Lidiana, in an early day, settling in Wea township,
where they developed a farm on which they both died. John Ritchey was also
an extensive raiser of mules and horses. They were the parents of the fol-
lowing children : Josephus. deceased ; Margaret ; Alice, deceased ; Keltic ;
Benjamin, deceased; Eliza, Robert, deceased.
John McCoy was educated in the common schools. He came to Tippecanoe
county. Indiana, in 1859, locating in W^ea township. His sister married
Benjamin Ritchey, who was with John Hay for several years, and he secured
forty acres of land in section 34, Wea township. It was wild land, but he
cleared it and made a good home. He later moved to section 21, where lie
purchased sixty-eight acres and was there until 1882. He bought one
hundred and four acres, part of Ritchey's estate, and he lived on that place
until 1904. He is now living retired in Lafayette, Indiana. He was a very
successful farmer. Although an active Republican, he never aspired to public
office. He is an elder in the Presbyterian church, having been a member
of the church practically all his life.
To Mr. and ]Mrs. John McCoy si.x children were born, namely: A
daughter who died in infancy, unnamed ; Moraine, of this review ; Joseph,
married Edna Sale, of Champaign county, Illinois; he is an architect in St.
Paul. Minnesota; they are the parents of one daughter, Josephine: Joseph
McCoy graduated from the University of Illinois in 1906. The fourth child
of Mr. and Mrs. John McCoy was a daughter who died in infancy: Nettie
Eldora graduated from the high school in Lafayette, spent one year at Ferry
Hall, Illinois, and married Cripps Moore and lives in West Lafayette. Eugene
Ritchev, the youngest child, died in infancy.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. ng^
Moraine McCoy was educated in the home schools, liaving graduated
from the local high school in Lafayette in 1899. He \Wed with his parents
until his marriage on September 7, 1934, to Mary Esther Ray, of Randolph
township, this county, daughter of Elias Ray, a prominent agriculturist and
stock man (see his sketch in this work). Mrs. McCoy was educated in the
common schools of Ranr.ol])h towr.ship and later ttuik a course in St. ]\Iary's
Academy at Terre Haute, wdiere she remained for fi\e years, from 1894 to
1899. Being artistic by nature, and having developed her esthetic qualities,
she is able to do sume \'ery fine painting" and decorating, as well as fancy work
of all kinds. She is a woman of pleasing personality, cultured an;l affable.
To Mr. and Mrs. Moraine McCoy three children have been born, namely:
Elias Ray, born May 22, 1903: John Ritchey, born April 21, 1937; Mary
Eleanor, born March 4. 1909. They .^.le bright and interesting c'liklren,
adding sunshine to the pleasant, mcxlern and attractive home of Mr. McCor.
Mr. McCov carries on general farming in a manner that stamps b.im as
fully abreast of the preser.t day methods of agriculture. He handles large
numbers of mules and large cjuantities of grain, and he is very successful
at whatever he directs his attention. He li\es on the old place in section 27,
Wea township, which is well improved in every respect. In politics he is a
Republican, and is an elder in the Spring Grove Presljyterian church, Wea
township. He is regarded by his neighbors as a model young man in every
respect and he is one of the leading citizens of the township, he and hi.i
estinrable wife having won hosts of warm friends here by reason of their
integrity, hospitality and generosity.
THE GLADDEN FAMILY.
England has sent her jiroportion of citizens to the new world and they
ha\-e become valued residents of the communities with which their lots have
been cast. They have ever been valiant people, fearless in defense of what
they believe to lie right, industrious, persevering and reliable, and the charac-
teristics of the race ha\-e been found in the members of the Gladden family,
of whom Walter Owen Gladden, of Lauramie township, Tippecanoe county,
is a worthy representative. He is well known as an enterprising and progres-
sive citizen of the township, where he is engaged in agricultural pursuits, his
well-directed efforts bringing to him gratifying success in his undertakings.
The Gladdens are of English descent and there the family, after a time-
1 194
PAST AND PRESENT
honored custom' of that country, hved on leased land for generation after
generation, it being customary to lease large tracts of land for periods of
ninety-nine years. Richard Gladden, the first of the name to come to America,
was a native of Leeds, and was but sixteen years old when he determined
to try his fortune in the New World. He was accompanied on the journey
by an older sister, who married a ]\Ir. Ingram, whose family were land-
leasers like the Gladdens. It was some time prior to the outbreak of the war
of the Revolution when Richard Gladden came to this country and at the
opening of hostilities he espoused the cause of the colonists, serving as a
soldier against the mother country for six years. On one occasion, while
working in a field, a party of British soldiers approached, and the officer in
command, after calling him a rebel and other offensive epithets, ordered him
to take down the fence bars that they might pass through. Believing that,
under the circumstances, "discretion was the better part of valor," he complied
with the request.
Ha\-ing mastered the trade of miller. Richard Gladden gave it his sole
attention for a number of years. He was noted for his skill in dressing buhrs
and his services were in demand far and near. For that day. he possessed a
good education and stood high in the community. Subsequently Air. Gladden
moved to Ohio, locating in ^Montgomery county, fifteen miles west of Dayton,
where he entered and improved one hundred and twenty-five acres of land.
He also operated a grist and flour mill in Perry township, that county, a
number of years. He died there at the age of about eighty-nine years. He
was twice married, both wives being natives of Virginia. The result of the
first union was a son. James. The second wife, who bore the maiden name
of Catherine Hiatt, bore him two children, Joseph and \\'illiam. James and
Joseph were drummer boys with a Virginia regiment during the war of 1812.
William Gladden, the youngest son of Richard and Catherine Gladden,
was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, in 1795. and soon after the war of
1812 moved to Ohio with his parents. He assisted his father on the farm and
in the mill, and in the meantime received a limited education in the common
schools of the period. On reaching manhood he applied himself to agricultural
pursuits, in which he was successful. He settled on a small farm in Perry
township. Montgomery county, which had been entered by his father, and for
eight years he operated that farm. He then moved to Preble county, the
same state, where he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, which
he cleared and lived on until 1834. He was then persuaded to come to
Lauramie township, Tippecanoe county, Indiana, by his brother Joseph, who
had previously settled here and who returned to Ohio and assisted in bringing
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND.
[95
the family on. The trip was made with a two-horse wagon, the men sleep-
ing out of doors at night, while the women obtained shelter in the hospitable
homes along the route. William Gladden located on a quarter section of
land four miles southeast of Lafayette, on Wild Cat Prairie. The place had
to some extent been improved by its former owner and on it stood a one-
story house, which the family occupied. During the following year j\lr.
Gladden contracted malarial fever, then so prevalent in this state, and died
in August, at the early age of forty years. He was sur\ived about five years
by his widow. The latter, in her maidenhood, bore the name of Magdalena
Yost, a daughter of Anthony and Catherine (Brock) Yost. ]Mr. Yost was
born in Germany and came to Virginia when a child, subsequently settling in
]\Iontgomery county, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Gladden were born the follow-
ing children : Elizabeth, Richard, John, Joseph, William, Harrison, Jacob W.,
who now lives in Kansas, Catherine who is now Mrs. Warwick of Battle
Grotmd, this county. In politics ]\Ir. Gladden was a Democrat and stood
high in the respect of his acquaintances wherever he had lived. While a
resident of Montgomer}- county, Ohio, he served as a justice of the peace and
was also captain of a company of state militia. His widow was a member of
the German Baptist church.
William, the sixth child in order of birth of William and Magdalena
Gladden, was born in Preble county, Ohio, September 23, 1823, and came
to Tippecanoe county with his parents in 1834. He was but twelve years
old when bereft of his father and five years later his mother died, consequently
early in life he was compelled to shift for himself in a large measure. He
secured what education he could in the common schools, and achieved special
success in mathematics, in which it was said he was ne\'er "stuck" on a
problem. About 1849 he bought eighty acres of timber land, on which he
built a log cabin. In this they lived until 1862, when they built a frame
house, which still stands. He made a distinct success of agriculture and
brought his farm up to a high standard of excellence. At the time of Mor-
gan's raid, during the Civil war, he left his wheat, which he was about to
cut, and went to Indianapolis and offered his services to assist in the capture
of the noted guerrilla. He was too late to be of service, but in the meantime
a neighbor, a Mr. Connell, had cut his wheat for him.
On November i, 1849, Mr. Gladden married Barbara A. Ellis, a daugh-
ter of Thomas Ellis, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. To them
were born two children. Walter Owen, and Ellis Fremont, who was born
November 30, 1855. and died September 24, 1893. U'illiam Gladden was
a strong Republican in politics. His death occurred on Mav 3, 1896, while
119'') I'AST AND PRESENT
his wi.'c passed away September 2^. 1893. and both are Ijuried in the Concord
cemetery.
Walter Owen Gladden was born October 11, 1853, and secured a fair
education in the common schools. He was for a time engaged in teaching
school, but after his marriage he went to Illinois, locating on farming land
near Rossville, where he remained until 1895, when he returned to his present
farm in Lauramie township. He owns eighty acres of land here, three
hundred and sixty acres near Juddville, eighty acres in Illinois and also a
tract in California. In 1901 Mr. Gladden erected the beautiful house in which
he now resides, and he has in many ways beautified and improved his prop-
erly, until today it is considered one of the best farms in this township.
On December 29, 1875, ]\Ir. Gladden married Uszas Hunter, a native of
Warren countv, Indiana, and a daughter of John P. Hunter, one of the
pioneers of that countv. Both of her parents are living, being upwards of
ninetv years of age. Being denied any children of his own. Mr. Gladden ha<
been the fo&ter father of two girls whom he took to raise, the first one in
1898 and the second in 1906. After seeing his own country, he made a
trip abroad, visiting Jersusalem, Jericho and Bethlehem and most of the
foreign countries. Mr. and Mrs. Gladden are popular among their acquaint-
ances and because of their many sterling qualities of character they enjoy
the confidence and respect of all.
A. M. MAYFIELD, M. D.
Dr. A. M. Mayfield was born in Clark county, Indiana, in the year 1871,
the son of William H. and Julia M. (Fitspatrick) Mayfield. The father
of the Doctor, a native of Kentucky, of German lineage, came to Indiana
wdien a boy and settled in W^ashington county, moving to Clark county in
the sixties, where he remained the balance of his life, dying when fifty-six
years of age. He was a man of much sterling worth and made a success
as an agriculturist. In his family were six children, all boys. An older
brother of Doctor ^Mayfield was a soldier in the Civil war, having served
gallantly through that sanguinary struggle. Mrs. William H. Mayfield
lived to be sixty-one years old. She had one brother who was a captain
in the Union army during the Civil war and who is now a physician in Kansas
City, Missouri.
The early education of the subject of this sketch was olitained in the
public schools of Clark county, having spent his summer months working on
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. I 197
the home farm. He attended the teachers' institute one year, after which he
taught school during the winter months, continuing to attend tlie institutes
during the summer months, having kept up this method until he began the
study of medicine. He was successful as a teacher, Ijut he decided that his
true calling was in another direction and, entering the work with his accus-
tomed energy, made rapid progress. He was then twenty-two years of age.
He attended the Kentucky Medical College at Louisville, from which he
graduated in 1894 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, having made a
very commendable record in the same. Since that year he has been engaged
in general practice, first for one and one-half years at Chestnut Hill, Indiana;
later at Salem, Washington county, for three years; then he came to Mont-
morenci, this county, where he actively engaged in his profession.
The domestic chapter in the life of Doctor Mayfield began in 1896 when
lie was joined in wedlock with Cora C. Smith, daughter of W. A. Smith,
who was of German extraction. Mrs. :Mayfield's father served in the Fed-
eral army. Company C. Forty-ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry,
and he still bears the scar of one wound. He is now a member of Dr. May-
field's household. One child, a son named Ambi-ose Richter, has been born
to the Doctor and wife, the date of his birth being December 23, 1907.
The Doctor's father and mother were always devout members of t1ie
Christian church, William H. Mayfield having l^een a deacon in the same.
Mrs. Mayfield's people also l^elonged to the same church, and both the Doctor
and his wife are memlaers of this congregation.
Doctor Mayfield in his political relations is a Democrat, and in his
fraternal relations he is a ^Mason, a member of the Knights of Pythias and
the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, also the Court of Honor.
REV. SILAS O. GOODRICH.
Rev. Silas O. Goodrich is a native of Steuben county. Indiana, born
April 22, 1880. He is the son of George B. and Alaggie J. (Twiford)
Goodrich, both of Irish descent. Upon coming to this country the Goodrich
family settled in the state of New York, but the birthplace of George B.
Goodrich was Steuben county, Indiana. George B. Goodrich is a licensed
veterinary surgeon and has l^een in the practice in Steuben county, this
state, for many years, during which time he has built up an extensive patron-
age and has been very successful in his work. To George B. Goodrich
Iiga PAST AND PRESENT
and wife five sons and one daughter have been born, all of whom received
a fairly serviceable education in the common schools.
Rev. Silas O. Goodrich i-eceived his primary education in the district
schools of Steuben county, Indiana, having completed the common-school
course in 1896, where he received sufficient education to enable him to teach
in the common schools, attending school during vacation months at the
Tri-State Normal at Angola, Indiana. He was principal of the Pleasant
Lake school for one year, made an excellent record as a teacher, and if
he had chosen to remain in that profession he would have, no doubt,
achieved a wide reputation as an educator. Turning his attention to the
life insurance business, he became general agent for the John Hancock
Life Insurance Company. He was then only twenty years of age, but he
proved to this company that he possessed the right qualifications in this
line of work, and he was placed in charge of four counties, remaining with
the company two years, and giving entire satisfaction.
Feeling impressed that he was called to spread the gospel of the Master,
he left the allurements of the successes in material things and was licensed to
preach in the United Brethren church when nineteen years of age, having
taken regular work in connection with his teaching. He also took a veter-
inary correspondence course, given by a Detroit (Michigan) school, gradu-
ating April 8, 1908; also graduated from the Veterinary Science Associa-
tion on May 2, 1908, at London, Ontario.
Rev. Silas O. Goodrich was sent to Colburn, Indiana, in 1903, as a
regular L^nited Brethren minister, filling regular appointments at Colburn,
Buck Creek, Ockley and Fairview. He is now completing his sixth year
in this work.
Reverend Goodrich was married to Imogene Philips, a native of La-
Grange county. Indiana. After passing through the common schools she
attended the Angola Normal School, and is a woman of marked intellectual
attainments as well as of refined personality. To this union two children
have been born, namely: Clela A. and Pearl I.
Reverend Goodrich is a member of the Transitville Lodge, No. 425,
Free and Accepted Masons; Buck Creek Lodge. No. 497, Knights of
Pythias ; the Uniform Rank at Delphi, being chaplain of the Eighth Regi-
ment of this order. He also belongs to the Ancient Order of Gleaners. In
politics he is a Republican.
As might naturally be expected. Reverend Goodrich is a lover of horses
and other livestock, and he is something of a horse trainer, being an excel-
lent judge of this animal. He and his estimable wife are held in the highest
esteem by members of the congregations which they seek to serve.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. I IQQ
CHARLES B. STUART.
Charles Benedict Stuart was born in Logansport, Indiana, April 21,
1 85 1, and died February 20. 1899, at his home in Lafayette, Indiana. He
was a son of Hon. \\'iliiani Z. Stuart, the distinguished lawyer and jurist,
whose name stands pre-eminent in the judicial history of the state of In-
diana, and Sarah Scribner Benedict, of Verona, New York. Judge William
Z. Stuart was a nati\-e of Dedham, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston,
born December 25. 181 1. His parents were Dr. James and Nancy (Alli-
son) Stuart, Scotch Presbyterians, who emigrated from Aberdeen to
America. Charles B. Stuart's elementary education was obtained in the
Logansport schools, then preparing for college at Williston Seminary, East
Hampton, Massachusetts, he entered Amherst College and graduated in
the class of "73 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He then attended
Columbia Law School in New York, graduating therefrom with high honors
in 1876. It was ]\Ir. Stuart's intention to practice law in New York City
and make that city his residence.
On the death of Judge Stuart, May 7, 1876, Charles B. was appointed
on the legal staff of the Wabash Railroad Company, a responsible position
which his father had held for eighteen years, and to him was intrusted the
duty of looking after the interests of this great corporation in Indiana. He
devoted his life to this duty, making the welfare of the road his study by
day and by night. He brought all his energies to the protecti(_in of the com-
pany's interests, as it was the nature of the man to do well whatever he
undertook. The legal affairs of the road were so well managed that he
continued in the capacity of legal counsel up to the time of his death, nearly
a quarter of a century. He had a wide reputation of being one of the best
corporation lawyers in the state.
Mr. Stuart opened his law office in Lafayette, Indiana, on January 2,
1877. having moved it from Logansport. In 1882 his brother. William V.
Stuart, became associated with him. After the dissolution of the firm of
Coffroth & Stuart the firm was, on January 21, 1890, composed of the Stuart
Brothers, Charles B., Thomas A. and William V. Soon death broke the
link and bore to the grave Thomas Arthur, then in the prime of life. On
August 23, 1892, Hon. E. P. Hammond became associated in the firm, and
the law firm of Stuart Brothers & Hammond was as familiar to the court
records of Indiana, and in the United States courts, as any in the West.
Mr. Stuart, in conjunction with his father-in-law, j\lr. Adams Earl, be-
I200 PAST AND PRESENT
came deeply interested in the importation and breeding of Hereford cattle
soon after the breed first came into prominent notice in the West, and to
the very last was one of the leading snpporters of that breed as well as one
of the most powerful single factors in the business affairs of the American
Hereford Breeders' Association.
The great importation of English royal winners and high class breed-
ing animals brought out by the firm of Earl & Stuart when they visited
England in 1880 has always been regarded as one of the most valuable ship-
ments of "white-faces" ever made by one man or firm at one time from
Herefordshire herds. Upon that great foundation was built up at their
beautiful Shadelarid farm, four miles from Lafayette, one of the most cele-
brated collections of cattle the world has ever known.
Mr. Stuart had a genius fur mastering the details of any subject to
which he gave his attention. He became not only an expert judge of Here-
fords, but as a student of blood-lines and combinations he was confessedly
one of the best informed men on either side of the Atlantic. When abroad
recentl}' ( 1895) he again visited many of the noted herds of Herefords in
the old world. Almost the last act of his life was the purchase of two fine
specimens of Herefords to head his stock farm on the Wea.
Mr. Stuart was greatly interested in Lafayette. Anything that would
push forward this city had his cordial support, both in influence and purse.
He was one of the organizers of the Lafayette Club: was one of the orig-
inators of the Merchants National Bank, in which he was a stockholder and
director: his influence and money aided in bringing natural gas to Lafayette;
he was an earnest supporter of the Monon shops project, now the pride of
the city : took an active part in the county fair for years, and was one of
the board of directors: was a director of the Belt Road enterprise; was
for fifteen years a trustee of Purdue University, and for ten years presi-
dent of the board. He always took a great interest in Purdue. It was the
child of his mature years, and he saw its rapid progress with all the pleas-
ure that a fond parent sees the growth of a favorite son. He gave his time
liberally to the cause of education, and his influence was e\er on the side
of the right and against the wrong. He was a man of action rather than
words. His opinion on all public questions was freely expressed, but his
differences with men and measures were so courteous that one always left
him with the feeling that his positions were the result of mature thought
and not of haste. Politically he was a Democrat — a Gold Democrat — and
that party hatl no truer supporter. Possessed of great influence, he never
sought preferment himself. He was a delegate to the national conven-
tion which nominated Mr. Cleveland at St. Louis.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY^ IND. I20I
December 20, 1876, Mr. Stuart married Alice J. Earl, daughter of the
late Adams Earl and Martha J. Hawkins, of Lafayette, Indiana, who sur-
vives him. Socially he was the prince of hosts. His friends were welcome
at all times and his nature was so genial and hospitable that it was always
a pleasure to be in his company. He was devoted to his home, and here,
after the labors of the day, he loved to spend his leisure hours. Most hap-
pily married, surrounded by those he loved, he was the ideal husband
and son.
\Mien such a man dies the community suffers an irreparable loss. His
industry and business sagacity placed him beyond the reach of want, and
he was looking forward to years of unalloyed happiness with those who
were near and dear to him. His life was an example to the youth of Lafay-
ette, and those who follow in his footsteps closely will leave behind a name
that will live and be forever cherished in the hearts of all.
From an editorial which appeared in the Lafayette Sunday Leader at
the time of ]\Ir. Stuart's death we quote the following :
"It is seldom that the press is called upon to chronicle the passing away
of one who was so universall}' loved and honored, and whose death so
saddens an entire community, as is the case with Charles B. Stuart. He was
a man largel}- interested in the affairs of our city. He was identified with
its growth and progress. He was an active factor in promoting its inter-
ests. A man of clear, keen penetration, he seemed to grasp the situation at
a glance, and time verified the soundness of his judgment. If Charles Stuart
had an enemy on earth the fact is not known. He was a man of the strict-
est honor. He made no promises that he did not fulfill to the letter. He
was a man of clean speech; the coarse jest had for him no charm. He
was a man whose invariable custom was to speak well of all men, or not
at all. His life was an open book with no dark pages ; there were no shad-
ows on his name or on his conduct. The writer was privileged to enjoy his
friendship for a long term of years. During those years there is not re-
called a single unkind utterance he ever made concerning any human being.
His record as a son, husband, brother, citizen, friend and business man is
an enviable one. In the midst of his legal battles, many of them neces-
sarily fierce, in the social circle, in the ofiice, on the street or at his fire-
side, his greeting was always cordial, his welcome sincere. In his death the
bar has lost a conscientious pleader : the community an upright citizen ; his
family a devoted husband and brother; humanity a noble, pure-minded rep-
resentative."
(76)
PAST AND PRESENT
THEODORE McCABE.
Among those men of Tippecanoe county who, Ijy the mere force of their
personaHty, have forced their way to the front rank of that class of citizens
who may justly be termed progressive, is Theodore McCabe, at present
county commissioner, and a well-known citizen who has taken an abiding
interest in the welfare of the community at large while advancing his own
interests, thereby winning the esteem of all classes. He was born in Hock-
ing county, Ohio, November 29. 1844, the son of Ezra and Adelia (Dillon)
McCabe. Grandfather McCabe was born in Mrginia and is remembered
as a hne old Southern gentleman. The paternal great-grandfather was
born in Ireland. The grandfather came from Virginia to Pickaway county.
Ohio, where the family resided the rest of their lives. They are described
as hardy pioneers, honest and hard workers, and many of their sterling
traits have descended to the present generation of this name. Ezra !\IcCabe
married Adelia Dillon in Ohio and they emigrated to Indiana in 1854. set-
tling in Washington township, Tippecanoe county, wdiere they remained
one year, then li\ed in Wea and Randolph townships. They developed a
good farm from primitive conditions and spent the remainder of their lives
here, the father dying in 1888 and the mother surviving until 1906. Thev
were the parents of ten children, four of whom are living in 1909. namely :
David is a resident of Randolph township : John, of WHiite county, this state :
Rebecca, who became the wife of Jasper Kious. lives in ]\Iomence. Illinois ;
and Theodore, of this review.
Theodore McCabe was nine years old when he was brought by his par-
ents to Tippecanoe county. He was reared on the home farm and educated
in the district schools, being the youngest of the sons born to his parents.
He remained on the farm with his father, assisting with the various duties
there until his marriage, on February 25, 1874, to Ella F. Kyle, who was
born in Romney, this county, the daughter of James H. and Mary E. Kyle,
a prominent family of that locality. She received a common school edu-
cation.
Mr. McCabe started in life under very unfavorable circumstances, hav-
ing very little capital, but he was possessed of the true grit that has charac-
terized all men who have risen from humble environment to positions of
responsibility and worth. He soon had a foothold and eminent success has
attended his eflForts. being now the owner of one of the finest farms in
this favored section of the Hoosier state, consisting of two hundred and
twenty acres in Shelby township. He accumulated his present handsome
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. I2O3
competency by judicious and skillful farming and stockraising. His farm
has been improved and cultivated in such a manner as to render it equal to
any in the county, and it is a very attractive place on which stands a beau-
tiful and modern farm house, surrounded by commodious and substantial
outbuildings, good orchards and gardens, and all necessary farming im-
plements. Mr. McCabe also owns one acre of land in West Lafayette; be-
sides this property he owns stock in the Merchants' National Bank of La-
fayette.
Mr. and Mrs. McCabe are the parents of the following children : James
Earl, born December 22, 1874, is a graduate of the Cincinnati ^^ledical Col-
lege and is engaged in successful pi-actice at Buck Creek: Alma E., born
August 9, 1876, is the wife of Thomas McKinnis, of Lafayette: Floyd C,
born August i, 1878, graduated in pharmacy at the Valparaiso University;
Winnie P., born October 5, 1880, is the wife of George Glaze, of Dayton,
this county; William T., born May 2, 1885, graduated from the Lafayette
high school and is a teacher by profession; Nettie ]\Iay, born October 13,
1888; Harry W., born December g, 1889, is a graduate of the local high
school; Juanita, born July 25, 1896.
In his fraternal relations Mr. McCabe is a member of the ]Montmorenci
Lodge, No. 534, Knights of Pythias. In politics he is a loyal Republican
and he has long taken an active part in local politics, his counsel often being
sought during campaigns, and he loses no opportunity to aid any worthy
cause whether political or otherwise. As a reward for his valuable services
in this direction and as a tribute to his genuine .worth, he was elected com-
missioner from district No. 2 in 1905, and is very ably discharging the
duties of the same at this writing, giving entire satisfaction to all concerned,
irrespective of party ties. He has been instrumental in repairing many of
the main bridges and erecting substantial concrete bridges. Since i\Ir. Mc-
Cabe became a member of the board a splendid bridge over the ^^'abash
river has been built at Granville, connecting Wayne and Shelby townships.
It is a steel structure with a concrete floor, and was completed in 1908. It
is beautiful in design and a most serviceable and substantial one.
HARRY B. LYMAN.
Harry B. Lyman has well earned the honor to be addressed as one of
the progressive, public-spirited men of Tippecanoe county, a worthy descend-
ant of an influential family, the exemplary reputation of which has been unas-
I204 PAST AND PRESENT
sailahle for several generations or since the first member of the family
became known in this locality. He was born in Lafayette September 24,
1868, the son of Edwin and Clarissa H. (Lewis) Lyman. He grew to
maturity in this city and attended the public schools and the business college
here, receiving a very serviceable education. He early in life conceived the
idea of becoming a merchant, and, accordingly, after he had finished schooling
he engaged in the grocery business for a short time, but the business in which
his father was engaged, that of coal and building material, seemed to offer-
greater advantages. He entered his father's office and gradually mastered
the details of the business ; and for a period of ten years prior to his father's
death he practically managed the same. Edwin B. Lyman died in November,
1898, and then his son, Harry B., succeeded to the business. The latter's
mother also died in i8g8, the final summons coming for her in Alarch of
that year.
In addition to the extensive business which yir. Lyman conducts in
Lafayette, he owns over se\-en hundred acres of as fine fanning land as
Tippecanoe county can boast. It is very productive and well improved, being
under a high state of cultivation. His valuable landed estates claim a large
part of Mr. Lyman's attention, for he delights in overseeing agricultural
work, and especially stock raising; for the past twelve or fifteen years he
has been a breeder and importer of piu'e bred Percheron horses. They
are of such fine quality that they are in great demand and sales are easily
effected, Mr. Lyman being extensively known for the fine stock he handles.
He is regarded as an extraordinary good judge of horses and his interest in
them has done much to stimulate a general interest in good horses through-
out the county.
Mr. Lyman is a director of the City National Bank of Lafayette, also a
director in the State Bank at Oxford. He is president of the Tippecanoe
County Agricultural Association, and much of the large success of the same
is due to his enterprise and judicious counsel. He is treasurer of the
Lafayette school board; also treasurer of the Lafayette Sales Company,
and vice-president of the National Builders Supply Association, an organiza-
tion of about sixteen hundred members. In all of the above-named enterprises
Mr. Lyman is a moving force and he has his business so systematized that
although the volume of the same would be sufficient to crush most men, he
manages it all with ease and dispatch, being a man of keen discernment, quick
of decision and able to see with remarkable accuracy the outcome of present
transactions. His judgment is seldom at fault and he easily ranks among the
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. I205
leading business men in a communit)- noted for the high order of its
citizenship.
Mr. Lyman was married to Theresa E. Scheie, of Lafayette, on October
14, 1901. She is an accomplished and cultured lady and the representative of
an old and influential family. This union has resulted in the birth of one
son, George Edwin Lyman, a bright and interesting lad, whose birth occurred
June 3, 1903.
Mr. Lyman has a modem, attractive and beautifully located home in
Lafayette, but, as already intimated, much of his time is spent at his counti-y
estates, one farm lying seven miles northeast of Lafayette where his horses
are kept and the other nine miles east of the city
Personally, Mr. Lyman is a pleasant man to know, unassuming,
approachable, genial and a good mixer, consequently he is popular with all
classes.
ED\MX B. LYMAN.
The late Edwin B. Lyman, of Lafayette, Indiana, was a native of New
England, having been born in Franklin county (now Lamoille), Vermont,
July 26, 1828, the son of Simeon and Emma (Potter) Lyman, the former a
native of Vermont, of Welsh descent, and the latter a native of Connecticut
and of French descent. Edwin B. Lyman li\ed in Vermont until he was
fourteen years of age when he removed with his parents to Orleans county.
New York, and in 1851 his parents emigrated to Tippecanoe county, Indiana,
and made their home in Lafayette where the father died in 1854, during the
cholera epidemic, his widow surviving until 1857. Edwin B. Lyman was
reared on a farm, and he made his home with his grandparents for two years
after his parents came to Tippecanoe county, following them here in April,
1853, coming from Toledo on the canal. Starting in business here, he
launched in the lumber trade with J. K. Snyder, a brother-in-law, with whom
he was associated for about eight years. He was married in Lafayette in
1857 to Laura A. Cook, who was born in Orleans county. New York, and
who died in 1861. In January, 1863, Mr. Lyman was married to Clara H.
Lewis, a native of Indiana, born at North Bend. To this union three children
were born, of whom only one is now living, Harrv B. Lvman, a detailed
sketch of whom appears on another page of this work.
Mr. Lyman commenced the burning of lime in Lafayette in 1861 and in
1870 he added coal business, building up an extensive trade in each. He
I206 PAST AND PRESENT
also became the owner of a fine farm in Shelby township on which he kept
considerable livestock. He made a success of farming and stock raising and
became fairly well-to-do during the latter part of his life.
In politics. Mr. Lyman was a Republican, and his religious affiliations
were with the Presbyterian denomination, having been a deacon in the
local congregation for many years and interested in all phases of church work.
He was truly a good man and one in whom all who knew him reposed the
utmost confidence, and he was influential in his vicinity, his advice being
sousfht along manv lines.
REV. JOHN W. T. AIacAIULLAN.
Few men in this part of Indiana achieved greater distinction as a minis-
ter of the Gospel and also in military circles during the great war between
the states than he whose life record is outlined in the following paragraphs,
a man of remarkable force of character, a bom leader of men, standing
pre-eminently among his contemporaries and winning their hearty com-
mendation and applause — one of nature's noblemen. Rev. John W. T. Mac-
Mullan was a descendant of distinguished ancestors, having been born in
Grange (now ]\Iadison), A'irginia. January 31. 1826, the son of William
MacMullan. a native of the same place as that of the subject. He was a
minister of much power in his day, in the Methodist Episcopal church.
Grandfather ]\IacMullan was a slave owner, but William Mac]\Iullan and
his brother left Virginia on account of this question, as they did not indorse
such an institution. They came to Indiana and settled about nine miles west
of Connersville. This was as early as 1836. They made the trip overland
in covered wagons. In ^^'illiam"s family there were six children. He died
the following year and the mother had the rearing of the little ones. She
was a woman of heroic mould and succeeded in this very admirably, making
a living in the midst of the then wilderness. There was an ecjual number
of Ixiys and girls, of whom John W. T. was the oldest child, and he survived
the other children. His education was obtained in the common schools, but
not being satisfied with what learning he obtained there, he continued to
study and mastered Latin, Greek and Hebrew, having been aided by a
private teacher from Indianapolis. He followed in the footsteps of his
father and became a minister, having been licensed to preach in the Methodist
Episcopal church in the Northeast conference of Indiana, but in 1861 he was
transferred to the Northwest conference of Indiana. He was presiding elder
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. I2O7
of four differert districts in this state, and was known far and near as a
very able pulpit orator, also speaking on many public occasions during the
tlavs of the Civil war. A man of commanding appearance, six feet tall,
weighing one hundred and seventy pounds, keen, steady hazel eyes, dark
beard and a military bearing, strong and powerful of frame. He was an
excellent singer, had a full, persuasive voice, and his discourses were smooth
in vocabulary, pathetic and elegant. While he was modest in his home
life, always very quiet, he was often as a lion aroused on public occasions, at
such times having magnetic influence over his audiences. Being a patriotic
man, he enlisted his service in behalf of the Union in 1861 and so meri-
torious were his services that he soon rose to the rank of colonel of the
Fiftv-seventh Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Rev. Frank Hardy,
of the Rock River conference, was his lieutenant-colonel, and Henry Elliott,
his adjutant, the latter living at New Castle, Indiana. The Reverend Mac-
Mullan raised four regiments for the Federal army. He was always ready to
do his duty, no matter how dangerous or arduous, and he was beloved by every
man in his regiments.
Rev. Tohn \\'. T. [NlacMullan was first married to Sarah Doddridge, a
descendant of a famous old English family whose lineage is traceable for
over one thousand years, many distinguished members of which were known
in the earlier annals of the family. To this union six children, four sons and
two daughters, were born, namely : James W. MacMullan, deceased ; Wilbur
H., and Carrie Belle, the last named also deceased. Wilbur H. has always
c3'-ed for his step-mother, having never married. He farms very success-
^mIIv her home farm of three hundred and twenty acres, four miles north
of Lafayette. He was educated in the local city schools.
The second marriage of Rev. John W. T. ^MacMullan was solemnized
with Hannah Heath, June 16, 1863. She was born in Lafayette on Main
street, June 16, 1840, the daughter of Robert and Mary (Emerson) Heath,
the former a nati\e of Ohio, whose parents came to Indiana June 30, 1826,
at which time the hamlet of Lafayette consisted of only seventeen cabins.
The elder Heatli purchased two lots on the north side of the public square
for the sum of four hundred dollars. To Reverend MacMullan and his
second wife five children were born, three boys and two girls, the sons all
being deceased at this writing. These children were named, Robert, born
August 7, 1864, died April 15, igo6: Henry K., born June 7, 1867, died
.August 19, 1870: Alfred FL, born February 12, 1870, died October 11.
1894: Lucv Vinton is the wife of E. C. Wagoner, of Chicago, and the
mother of one son, Robert, born September 9, 1907. Mr. Wagoner is in
I208 PAST AND PRESENT
the water-distilling business, at which he is very successful. His wife is a
very talented and cultured lady. ■Mary Heath iNIacMullan was born March
lo, 1878. Her education was obtained in the private schools of Lafayette.
She is a constant student of high-class literature and she has pronounced
literary ability, and she is a member of the leading literary clubs of the city.
She makes her home with her mother. The latter is a member of the Trinity
IMethodist Episcopal church. She is a woman of pleasing personality and is
popular in all circles in Lafayette.
The death of the distinguished divine. Rev. John W. T. ]\Iac]\Iullan,
which occurred on October 18, 1906, caused general sorrow and regret,
and his taking off was felt as a personal loss all over northwestern Lidiana
where he had labored to so goodly ends and reared a monument in the
affections of the people that will outlast time.
ASA C. BALS.
A man possessing unusual force of intellect and a character against
which there was no suspicion of evil was the late Asa C. Bals, who for
many years was popular with a large circle of friends m I^^.Tay^tte, He was
born in Indianapolis, Indiana, July 9, 1864, the son of Charles and INlary
(Levi) Bals, the former a well-known railroad man for several years. They
were the parents of two children, Asa C. being three years old \vhen his
mother died, consequently he was reared by his uncle at Colfax, Clinton
county, Indiana, with whom he remained, receiving the best of care and
attention until he was fifteen years old. He was then taken to another uncle
living in Tippecanoe county and he there made his home until he reached the
age of twenty-one years. Being a studious lad, he made rapid progress in
attaining an education ; after completing the \\ork in the common schools, he
attended the university at Valparaiso, Indiana, from 1883 to 1885, in which
institution he made a brilliant record.
Mr. Bals was united in marriage with Lottie Esper, the adopted daugh-
ter of Jacob and Eleanor Esper, of Lafayette. Mrs. Bals was born in
Lafayette. She received her primary education in the public schools of her
native city, also received special normal training and kindergarten work,
preparatory to a career as teacher which she has since followed with uniform
success, her services being in great demand in Tippecanoe county. She is at
this writing teaching in the city schools of Lafayette, being regarded as one
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND.
[209
of the most efficient in the city, possessing not only a profound knowledge of
text-books but also the many innate qualities that go to make up the suc-
cessful teacher, thereby being popular with both pupil and patron. She has
now been engaged in teaching for a period of eighteen years. That she is a
woman of remarkable individuality, strength of both body and mind and
of no mean executive ability is shown by the fact that she has kept up her
teaching and attended to the many household duties which has fallen to her
lot during the past fifteen years, for after the death of her lamented husband
in 1889 she was left to care for her mother, who was an invalid, also her
aged father, but she performed this service very ably and faithfully. She
owns a neat and comfortable home at No. 1407 Greenbush street, Lafayette.
At the time of this publication she is teaching in the Linwood schools of this
city. She is a lady of vivacious manners, showing excellent breeding and that
she has been reared in a wholesome home atmosphere. As might be expected,
she is an animated conversationalist, leaving the impression of a woman
well fitted for a successful public reader. She attends the Methodist Episcopal
church, and she is held in high esteem by a large circle of friends and
acquaintances owing to her intellectual attainments, her ai¥able disposition
and her kindness of heart.
ENOCH FRANCIS HAY\\'OOD.
Earnest labor, unabating perseverance, good management and a laudable
ambition to succeed and to assist others at the same time — these are the
elements that brought Enoch F. Haywood prosperity and won for him the
good will and respect of all with whom he has come into contact. A native
of Jackson township, Tippecanoe county, where he iarst saw the light of day
near Sugar Grove, September 9, 1847, 'i^ has spent the major part of his
life in his native locality and is, therefore, well known here. He is the son
of Henry and Martha Haywood, highly respected citizens here in the earlv
days. He grew to maturity on a farm near his birthplace, to which farm
his parents moved when he was six months old, and there he lived all his
life until 1904. Being familiar with farming and stock raising from early
life, he quite naturally took to those lines. On April 27, 1867, he married
Margaret Peed, a native of Jackson township, this county, born and reared
near Shawnee Mound, the daughter of William and IMatilda (Hardsock)
Peed, her father having come here from Kentuckv in the earlv davs.
I2IO PAST AND PRESENT
To Mr. and ]\Irs. Haywood eight children were born, two of whom are
deceased, Henry and George both dying in early childhood; those living are
Edward, Martha, Ella, Charles, Emma J. and Margaret Frances. Edward
lives in Randolph township, this county, is married anfl lias two children.
Martha married George Shelby and lives near Raulj, this county ( see sketch
of George Shelby in this volume). Ella married Allen O'Dell, a native of
Jackson township, now a practicing physician in Indianapolis : they ha\e one
son. Charles lives on the old home place where his father was reared ; he is
also engaged in the grain business at New Richmond ; married and has four
children; his wife was formerly Henrietta Raub, daughter of Edward Raub,
of Raub's Station. Emma J. is at home with her parents. Margaret Frances
married John Brown, of Memphis, Tennessee, a graduate of Purdue Uni-
versity ; tliey live in Memphis. Tennessee : he is a civil engineer, and they are
the parents of one little daughter.
Air. Haywood began married life in an humble way. living in a log cabin
on his father's farm, their first home being in marked contrast to the fine resi-
dence they now occupy. Mr. Haywood first farmed on rented land and,
being a good manager, he soon had a start, working early and late in order
to get a foothold ; he also traded in cattle and hogs. About five years after
he was married he bought one hundred and twenty acres of good land, for-
merly owned by Benjamin Ray. Although the land was very rich, it w'as some-
what swampy and partly covered with willows. By hard work, grubbing,
tiling and ditching, he transformed this into one of the l^est farms in the town-
ship. He was active in securing the Haywood ditch through that locality
which pro\-ed of incalculable good to every one living near it. He continued
buying more land from time to time, until at present he is the owner of four-
teen hundred acres, all but eighty acres being within the limits of Tippecanoe
county. It is all well improved and of great value in the aggregate. All this
he has made unaided, by his own thrift and industry and able management.
In April. 1904, Mr. Haywood moved to Lafayette where he remained
two years; in 1906 he purchased a lieautiful, modern antl attractively located
home at No. 610 South Ninth street, where he now resides, which place is
often the center of interest for the best society in the city.
\Mien the American National Bank was organized. Mr. Haywood became
its vice-president. In June. 1909, he disposed of his stock and became identi-
fied with the City National Bank. He still continued farming and is prob-
ably as extensi\-e a buyer of cattle as any man in the county, no small part
of his handsome income being deri\-ed from this source.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 121 1
Fraternally, 'Sh. Haywood belongs to the Alasonic lodge at Romney,
also the Elks, and one would judge from his daily life that he believes in
exetnplifying their sublime principles in his relations with his fellowmen.
Politically he is a Democrat and has long taken consderable interest in local
affairs. He very ably served as trustee of Jackson township for a period of
seven and one-half years. A criterion of his excellent standing among his
friends and acquaintances is shown by the fact that he was the first Democrat
ever elected to that office, and so faithfully did he discharge the duties of
the same that he was re-elected. He was nominated for the office of county
commissioner by the Democrats, but the county was nominally over sixteen
hundred Republican ; however, he was so popular and made such an excellent
race that he came w-ithin sixty-two votes of being elected.
The career of Mr. Haywood has ever been such as to warrant the trust
and confidence of the business world, for he has ever conducted all trans-
actions on the strictest principles of honor and integrity. His devotion to
the public good is uncjuestioned and arises from a sincere interest in his fellow
men.
BEXXETT FORESMAX.
To indulge in jimlix encomium of a life which was one of distinctive
modesty and unpretentiousness would be most incongruous, and yet in rexiew-
ing the career of the late Bennett Foresman. who was long one of the pro-
gressive agriculturists of Tippecanoe county, and who held a position of un-
equivocal confidence and esteem in the community where he labored to so
goodly ends, feelings of admiration are prompted, for he always looked to
the general good of his fellowmen while advancing the interests of his own
household, ever discharging his duties, whether private or public, in a most
conscientious manner, thereby winning the admiration and confidence of all
who knew him.
Bennett Foresman was born June i6. 1840. in Tippecanoe countv, In-
diana, and he spent his days in his native community. He was the son of
Philip and Elizabeth ( Bennett) Foresman. the latter a native of Ohio. Philip
Foresman was a successful business man, having devoted most of his life
to the milling industry, having purchased the Slaton farm where he erected
a mill that was patronized throughout this part of the county. His death
occurred there.
Bennett Foresman received a fairly gixid cummon school education in
the district schools and assisted with the work his father had in hand until
1 2 12 PAST AND PRESENT
he reached maturity, when he took up farming, which vocation he made his
hfe work, useless to say with pronounced success, for Bennett Foresman was
a man of untiring energy as well as good business judgment and he always
made a comfortable living. Having been an ardent worker in the Demo-
cratic ranks, he was singled out by the party leaders for positions of public
trust, and he was elected county treasurer on that ticket, which position he
held with credit and in such a manner that eveiyone concerned afiforded him
praise, whether of his politica' 'aith or that of the opposition.
In 1864 Mr. Foresman as united in marriage with ]\Iary G. Gruc-c,
who was born in Ross county Ohio, July 26, 1842, the daughter of John
and Ellen (Graham) Groce, in whose family there were four children, three
daughters and one son, all living at this writing. Mr. and Mrs. John Groce
were people of high standing in their community and were always known
as hard workers.
To Mr. and Mrs. Bennett Foresman two sons were born, namely : John
P., whose date of birth occurred October 3, 1866, was educated at Purdue
University and the city schools of Lafayette, having made a splendid record
for scholarship; he married Clara Kurtz, of Lafayette, and he is at this
writing the efficient county auditor. He lives on the Wea Plains, is married
and has three children. William Bennett Foresman, the second child, was
born August 3, 1873, married Mary Heston and he is engaged very success-
fully in the elevator and grain business in Lafayette.
Bennett Foresman showed his patriotism during the Civil war by en-
listing in the sixty-day sennce during the Morgan raid, where he took active
participation in thwarting the plans of a nonnern invasion by that daring
leader. Mr. Foresman's death occurred in 1900.
Mrs. Mary G. Foresman lives in a very comfortable and nicely appointed
home at No. 511 South Ninth street, Lafayette. She is now in her sixty-
seventh year, but is hale and hearty and takes a delight in her beautiful home
where she is often hostess to her many friends. She is a faithful member of
the Second Pi'esbvterian church.
ROBERT \\'ILLL\MS.
A well known and progressive citizen of Lafayette is Robert Williams,
of the real estate, loan and brokerage firm of Haywood & Williams, born in
Marshall county, Indiana, September 26. 1843. the son of Robert and Xancv
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. I213
(Grear) Williams, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Vir-
ginia, both families having been early settlers in ]\Iarshall county, Indiana,
where the parents of the subject were reared and married. The father was
a farmer and came to Tippecanoe county in 1844. settling in Washington
township where he entered land. He worked on the state dam when the
Wabash and Erie canal was building, contracting a severe cold while thus
engaged which resulted in his death ; his widow surviving a number of years,
re-married, her last husband being a Mr. Dawson. She died in Marshall
county at the age of eighty-four years. By her first marriage to a man
named Lions, she became the mother of two children; her second marriage,
to Robert Williams, resulted in the birth of several children, only two of
whom are living at this writing, Robert, subject of this review, being the
youngest. He was one year old when his parents brought him to Tippecanoe
county. He was reared on a farm and received a common school education,
spending one year in high school after the close of the Civil war, his edu-
cation having been interrupted by that conflict. On July 6, 1862, he enlisted
in Company C, Seventy-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served three
years, or until the close of the war. He was in Wilder's brigade, and was in
many hard-fought engagements. After the battle of Chickamauga, where
he was number two on the skirmish line, he was detailed as division scout
and served as such until General Wifson took command of the corps, when
he became scout of his corps, serving very creditably as such until the close
of the war. He was hit twice by spent balls and he had a horse shot from
under him at Pulaski, Tennessee, but otherwise came out unscathed. He
has several valuable and interesting relics of the war. He returned home and
bought a boat on the canal and for seven years operated boats on the Wabash
and Erie canal. Among the boats he owned during that time were the
"Portland," "Highland Chief" and "Clara Lewis." He was engaged in the
local trade, with headquarters principally in Lafayette; he was one of the
last men to operate boats on the canal in 1875, before it was abandoned, and
he talks interestingly of those old days.
Mr. Williams then turned his attention to farming in ^Vashington town-
ship, Tippecaui:ie county, where he had previously purchased eighty acres, and
he bought and sold land for many years, becoming prosperous, for he was
a good trader and made few mistakes in his transactions; he is still the
owner of one hundred and twelve acres of very valuable and highly improved
land in Washington township. In 1903 he retired and moved to Lafayette
where he owns a good house and other valuable property. He recently
launched into the real estate and loan business under the firm name of Hay-
I2I4 PAST AND PRESENT
wood & Williams, as already intimated, and they have built up a very satis-
factory patronage.
On April 9, 1868, J\lr. \\'illiams was married to Mary Miller, who was
born in Tippecanoe county, June 15, 1850, the daughter of Samuel and
Emeline (Bennett) Miller, a family that ranked high in their community.
Mrs. Williams received a fairly good education in the public schools of her
native community. Her father was a merchant at Buck Creek, this county,
where he enjoyed a very good trade.
To Air. and Mrs. Samuel ]\Iiller eight children were born, six daughters
and two sons, five of whom are still li\'ing. Three children were born to
Mr. and Mrs. Williams, as follows: James died when eight months old:
Edith died when six years old; Mabel was born August 24. 1878, and was
educated in the common schools at Buck Creek, also at Lafayette. She mar-
ried IMarcus Blinn, February 21. 1898. He is manager of the telephone
exchange at Fowler, Benton county, Indiana, but they make their home with
Mr. and Mrs. ^\'illiams at No. 1903 North Thirteenth street, Lafayette,
where they ha\e a neat and comfortable home. Air. and Mrs. Blinn are the
parents of two children, Mary, born No^•ember 29, 1900, and Mildred, born
October 25, 1904, both bright and interesting.
The members of this family belong to the Methodist church. Airs. Wil-
liams is distinctively a home woman, greatly interested in the rearing of
her two grandchildren. She has always been a very frugal and neighborly
woman.
In politics Mr. Williams is a Republican, and while a resident of Wash-
ington township he was justice of the peace for a period of fifteen vears, a
criterion of his high standing in the community. He was at one time candi-
date for the nomination for sheriff. He is a member of the Union Veteran
Legion and the Grand Army of the Republic.
DUNCAN ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COAIPANY.
An important manufacturing concern of Lafayette, Indiana, whose in-
fluence is far-reaching and which would be a credit to any community is
the Duncan Electric Manufacturing Company, which was organized in 190 1
for the purpose of manufacturing electric meters, transformers and many
other electrical instruments and appliances. The company was organized by
Marshall F. Holmes, of the American Smelting and Refining Company:
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. I2I5
George L. Cragg, and Thomas Duncan, an electrical engineer, all of Chicago.
The Lafayette Commercial Club acted with wise foresight wlien it succeeded
in securing this company for Lafayette. They began in a modest way in
a part of a building at Third and Mechanic streets. But in a short time
the business had grown to such proportions as to warrant using the entire
building. However this was only a beginning. More space was soon needed
and another building was rented, and still the business of the firm grew,
reaching out to remote sections. In 1909 preparations were started for
erecting a new building one hundred and thirteen feet wide by rme hundred
and thirty feet long, five stories in height, all of modern construction. In
eight years' time the business has increased ten times in volume compared
to that of the first year. Meters made by this company here are now in
use in e\ery state in the L'nion, being used by electric lighting companies,
street railway companies, and large apartments and office buildings that gen-
erate their own electricity.
It has been said that an institution is a lengthened shadow of a man, and
we are always ready to read with avidity of those who project and control
large concerns. The man whose ingenuity and foresight promulgated the
Duncan Electric ^Manufacturing Company is Thomas Duncan, who owned all
the patents under which the products of this concern are made, and he has
had the active management of the factory e\-er since the company was
organized.
Thomas Duncan was born December 26, 1865, at Girvan, Ayreshire,
Scotland, and in that beautiful land of heath and heather, of bluebell and moun-
tain gorse. he grew to maturity, attending there the public schools and the
high school, receiving a very serviceable education and remaining under his
parental roof-tree until he was eighteen years of age. In 1883 he came to
the United States, and, remaining in New England until 1886, he worked at
the drug business. In the last mentioned year he made what proved to be
a very important change and engaged in inanufacturing incandescent lamps
at Boston, Massachusetts. The following year he came West and managed
the incandescent electric lamp works of the Ft. Wayne Electric Company, a
very important position for so young a man. In 1889 he went to Lynn, Massa-
chusetts, and began the manufacture of electric meters, but in 1890 he returned
to the Ft. Wayne Electric Company and established a meter factory for that
concern. Here he remained until 1899, when he resigned to go to Chicago,
where he became connected with Seemens & Halske Electric Company of
America, manufacturers of all kinds of electric apparatus. In this company,
Mr. Duncan has charge of manufacturing electric meters of his own inven-
12 16 PAST AND PRESENT
tion. In 1 90 1 the Seemens & Halske Company was purchased by the electric
trust, and Mr. Duncan with Marshah F. Holmes and George L. Cragg formed
the Duncan Electric Manufacturing Company.
Records show that it is, indeed, rare that an inventor has any marked busi-
ness or executive ability, but Mr. Duncan seems to be one of the exceptions
to this rule. From the time he reached manhood he has been in positions
where he had the direction and control of others, always proving his ability
to direct men in a manner that the greatest results would be accomplished.
The rapid growth of the present establishment shows his caliber as a business
man, which is second to none. Naturally he is a very busy man, but the superb
system he emplo3^s in all his affairs makes his work easy, and he accomplishes
a great amount as the sum total of a day's activity. At the same time he keeps
abreast of modern thought by diligent study along lines of invention, and
keeps up his own work of invention, now having over two hundred patents
for inventions in the field of electricity. His name has become far-famed to
electrical workers and he is turning his talents to good account and will
doubtless rank very high among the world's beneficiaries.
WILLIAM D. BYERS.
No man in Jackson township. Tippecanoe county, is deserving of more
credit for what he has accomplished than William D. Byers, who has devoted
his busy life to farming, having maintained his home here all his life, where
he has prospered and has done much for the upbuilding of the community at
large, and as a result of his honorable record, his public spirit and his genial
manners, he has won a position of honor and trust in this county which will
be permanent. His birth occurred in New York city on March 6, 1854, and
he was less than one year old when the family came to Tippecanoe county.
He was educated here in the common schools, first attending the Locust Grove
school and later the. Center school ; also for a few terms he studied at the town
schools of Odell in that township, where he passed what is now known as the
eighth grade. He is the son of Joseph and Isabelle (Strong) Byers. the
former bom in Ireland, January i, 1833, where he remained until twenty-two
years old. His parents died in Ireland. On February 24, 1855, while yet
a resident of the Emerald Isle, he married Isabelle Strong. They immediately
started for the United States and stopped in New York city, where Mr.
Byers secured employment as clerk in a dry goods store, where he remained
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. I217
for one year, and in the spring of 1856 he and his wife came ti> In<liana, hav-
ing since resided in Tippecanoe county. Mr. Byers, iia\ing- Jieen tlirifty, accu-
mulated much land, now owning" a fine farm of three hundred acres. He ha.s
now reached the age of seventy-si.x years, hut he has not heen able to do much
work for several years. He resides in Lafayette in the winter time and on
his farm during the summer, with his son, William D. of this review. The
wife of Joseph Byers passed away in June, 1905, and is sleeping the sleep of
the just in Wheeler cemetery, Jackson township. To Mr. and Mrs. Joseph
Byers two children were born, William D. and Mary J., the latter dying in
July, 1907, and was buried beside her mother in Wheeler cemetery. She was
the wife of Harrison B. Wallace and the mother of two daughters, Elsie and
Lauretta.
Joseph Byers was the youngest in order of birth in a family of seven
children, all of whom grew to maturity except the only daughter, who died
in early childhood. Thomas Byers, an older brother of Joseph's, also came
to the United States. He is living in Lafayette; the balance of the family
remained in Ireland.
William D. Byers .spent his early days nn the farm with his parents, assist-
ing with the various duties about the place. On December 24, 1878, he was
married in Tippecanoe county to Elizabeth ^^^ard, a native of this county and
the daughter of Archibald and Elizabeth Ward, the former a native of Indiana
and the latter of Southern parentage, having been born in Louisiana. They
were married in Indiana, where they reared their children, the mother dying
when Mrs. Byers was young, and she was buried at Attica. Her husband
survived but a few years, when he, too, crossed "over the river," and is buried
at Bethel, Fountain county, Indiana. They were the parents of three children,
Mrs. Byers being the second in order of birth. Mary and Margaret were the
other children, the last named being tlie only one now H\'ing; she is the wife
of William Mitchell, living in ]\Tontgomery county. INIary died in the West
and is buried in Washington. Mrs. William D. Byers passed to her rest on
March 21, 1895, when thirty-eight years of age, and she is buried in Wheeler
cemetery. To Mr. Byers and his first wife four children were born, three boys
and one girl, only two of whom are now living, namely: Willa Edna, born
October 23. 1882, died December 19, 1900; Clifford Ward, born July 29.
1884, is living at home and farming with his father; Orrin J., born .\pril 23,
1890, is attending high school in Lafayette; William Roy, born April 23,
1893, f^'^fl May 26, 1902.
On June 30, 1900, Mr. Byers married Ella Wilson, a native of Jackson
township, this countv. the daughter of Stephen and .\nna CMenaugh) Wilson,
{77)
I2l8 PAST AND PRESENT
both natives of Indiana, and tliey still reside on a farm in Jackson township.
They are the parents of fi\e children, all now li\dng. Mrs. Byers being the
second in order of birth.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Byers belongs to the Knights oi Pythias,
Lodge No. 228, at New Richmond, Indiana. He has always been a Repub-
lican, having long taken an active part in local affairs, being a stanch sup-
porter of the temperance question and the county local option law. He has
never aspired to office holding, although he has been many times solicited by
his friends and neighbors to serve them in various capacities, for he has un-
questioned ability that would enable him to make a splendid pubhc servant, but
he prefers to devote his attention to his farm, which is one of the best improved
in the township and one of the most valuable. He is a modern, up-to-date
farmer and is also- a good judge of livestock, no small ])art (if his animal
income being derived from this source. However, in the spring of 1909 he
took time from his affairs to assist in circulating a local option petition for the
election in Tippecanoe county. He and his family are members of the Metho-
dist Episcopal church at Odell, this county. Mr. Byers takes a great deal
of interest in church affairs, having served as steward and on the board of
trustees for many years past, holding these offices at this time. All his family
are very attentive to church duties, and are liberal contributors to the support
of the same.
Mr. Byers is deserving of much credit for the honorable and successful
life he has led, and he stands today as a leader in his township, a man of
sterling character and sound judgment whom it is a pleasure to know, and no
family in the county stands higher than that bearing his name.
DAVID SLIPHER.
No history of Tippecanoe county, Indiana, would be complete if a chronicle
giving in detail the interesting career of Da\-id Slipher and his family should
be omitted, for he belonged to that class of sterling pioneers to whom the
present generaton owes its prosperity, Mr. Slipher having performed well his
part in the clearing and development of this locality, reclaiming it from the
dense wilderness infested with wild beasts and wilder men to what it is today
— one of the choicest districts in one of the greatest commonwealths of the
bright constellation of Union stars. He was indeed a grand old man who
won the confidence and esteem of all who knew him, performing with a free
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. I2ig
good will whatever fell to his hands, and then, placing implicit faith in the
Good Shepherd, who never yet has led one of his flock astray, he followed
Him into the Silent Land, leaving hehind him a goodly competence for his
family, also that which they should prize still more highly — a good name.
David Slipher, who spent the latter part of his life as a retired farmer,
was born in Butler county, Ohio, April 28. 1814, the son of Steplien Slipher,
born in old Virginia, in July, 1779. David's mother was known in her maid-
enhood as Elizabeth Flenner, a native of Maryland, born there in 1780, and
after a long and beautiful life, passed to her rest, June 8, 1856, leaving five
children, thirty-nine grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. Stephen
Slipher came to Clinton county, Indiana, in 1828 and entered lanil in section
8, Ross township, the present site of Madison, the patent for which land becom-
ing the property of David, his son. It bore the signature of President Andrew-
Jackson. These papers are now in the possession of Mrs. Martha E. Brand,
of Lafayette. It was in 1851 that Stephen Slipher came to Tippecanoe county,
his death occurring in Madison township, .Vpril 7, 1868, at the home of his son,
David, and he sleeps the sleep that knows no waking, in Fair Haven cemetery.
David Slipher first came to Clinton county, Indiana, in 1831, and his
final settlement was made there in 1842 on the land entered by his father in
1828. His oldest brother, Daniel, came to Clinton county in 1830 and lived
there until his death, in February, 1878, at the age of seventy-si.x years, having
been born in Hagerstown, Maryland, in 1802. Martin Baum, an uncle of
Daniel and David, had the distinction of building the first brick house in Cin-
cinnati. He was a land agent and an Indian trader. The paternal great-
grandfather of David Slipher came from Germany and settled in Virginia in
the colonial days. From the Fatherland also came David's maternal great-
grandfather. He settled in Maryland, near Hagerstown. David's maternal
grandfather, Rudolph Flenner. died in Butler county, Ohio, as did also his
■ wife, Magdalena, her death occurring on Decemlier 30, 181 8, at the age of
seventy-four.
Descendants of Stephen Slipher delight to tell of the pioneer days when
that heroic old "first .settler" left his boyhood home in Ohio and came overland
to Indiana, accompanied by his family, in the coldest winter ever experienced
in Indiana, that of 1832-1833. It required two ox teams to haul their house-
hold plunder, the father hauling one load, then returning to Butler county.
The family moved into a newly constructed log house, having neither floor nor
doors, upon their arrival in Clinton county. The rude hut was without chim-
ney or fire-place, there being a numljer of cobble-stones piled in one end of
the cabin on which to cook a meal and to warm by. This was a difticult tJu'ng
I220 PAST AND PRESENT
to do, owing to the very rigid weather that prevailed, the winter having come
on too soon to permit the building of a chimney or the daubing of the cracks
between the logs, but finally this family built the first brick chimney ever seen
in the county. The winter of 1842 to 1843 was also one of the worst in the
history of this section of the middle West. It was then that David Slipher
drove from Butler county, Ohio, to Clinton county, Indiana, in a "jumper,"'
trading his good horse for a poor one, receiving sixty dollars "to boot." He
purchased a buggy with the money and drove to his new home in the vehicle,
fording the swollen streams with great difficulty and danger.
David Slipher was the first man to carry the "Gunter's chain'' in the sur-
veying of Clinton county, with Isaac D. Armstrong, who surveyed the land
his father entered in 1828. David's first log house cost thirty dollars to build
and roof, and his first baby, Elizabeth, was rocked in a sap-trough. He had
two hundred dollars when he came to his new home, and was considered very
well fixed compared to his neighbors. But while the people of those times
were poor there were no paupers, for all were hard workers, and Mr. Slipher
often declared that the first year spent in the new country was the happiest of
his life, declaring that the freedom and good will existing among his neigh-
bors, the willingness to assist each other in all difficulties being enough to
bring tears to the e3'es and joy to the heart, for all were considered on an
equality, there being no aristocracy of wealth, no jealousy or covetousness.
Mr. Slipher told many interesting tales of those days, among which was
the hunting in the winter of 1838, when a deep snow fell, then a sleet, forming
a crust. Mr. Slipher was one of a band of hunters who caught deer by the
scores, for the animals would break through the crust of snow, thus permitting
the dogs to capture them, the crust being sufficient to hold the dogs up. A
sled load of deer skins were procured during one hunt. Stephen Slipher, who
was a very far-seeing man for those times, entered one thousand, four hun-
dred and forty acres of land, a one-fourth section for each of his children, as
follows: Daniel; Mary, married D. C. Clark and died in 1862; Isaac, father
of Mrs. Rev. E. R. Johnson ; Phillip, father of Mrs. Amanda Mattox ; Emily,
wife of Simeon Bryan; David and Mrs. Susanna Earhart; Elizabeth and
Stephen died in infancy. The father of these children died in 1868. at the
age of eighty-nine vears. having been preceded to the grave by bis wife in 1856.
On March i. 1838. David Slipher married Mary Scott, daughter of
Sanniel antl Abigail (Mills) Scott. She was born in Lehigh county, Pennsyl-
ania, Mav 14, 1809, and was reared to womanhood in Butler county, Ohio;
where she was taken Ijy her parents when eight months of age. Her father
was a natixe of Pennsylvania, but moved to Grant county, Wisconsin, where
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 1 22 1
he died in 1S45, when about se\enty-five years old. Mrs. Slipher's mother was
born in Virginia, and she died in Butler county, Ohio, at the age of seventy
years.
To Mr. and Mrs. David Slipher nine children were born; all lived to
maturity, namely: EHzabeth married David Bolyard; Martha E. married the
late John W. Brand (deceased). Mrs. Brand lives in a cozy and neatly kept
home at No. 1444 South street with her daughter, Mrs. Kosta Slayback, but
she still retains her farm near Dayton, this county. Mary E., who became the
wife of Monroe Moyer, died in Perry township, Tippecanoe county, Febru-
ary 21, 1872, and she is buried in Fair Haven cemetery. Louisa M., the wife
of William Peter, lives in Madison township; Isaac N. married Jane Jones,
and they are living in Missouri; Stephen was born August 11, 1846, married
Mary Ohl, and died December 2, 1866; David C. married Hannah App; S.
Emeline is the wife of Franklin Burkhalter, living in Clinton county ; William
Irving married Ella J. Frankenfield ; he is a merchant in Clinton county.
David Slipher was a very progressive farmer for his day, and in connec-
tion with his extensive farming interests, in 1862 he purchased the first steam
threshing-machine in Tippecanoe county. He moved it from farm to farm by
ox teams. The death of this useful and influential man occurred in March,
1906, having lived to be nearly ninety-two years old. For many years prior
to his death he was an ardent temperance man, advocating strict abstinence.
He was a stanch Methodist. He was a man of sterling qualities and strong
convictions and was universally loved, as was also his faithful life companion,
"Aunt Polly," as she was familiarly known, who also reached the remarkable
age of ninety-one years.
David Slipher was elected county commissioner and held the ofifice for
a period of nine years. He served also as township trustee and justice of the
peace, performing his duties in a most conscientious and able manner.
Mrs. Martha E. Brand, before referred to in this sketch, is the widow of
the late Rev. J. W. Brand, a man greatly beloved by all who knew him and
who was a power for good during the course of his very noble career, his
death having occurred June 12, 1886. He was born in Butler county, Ohio,
and he came to Tippecanoe county when eight years of age. It was in 1861
that he was united in marriage with Martha E. Slipher. They lived in Thorn-
town, Indiana, for fourteen years, later made their home in Lafayette for sev-
eral years, also lived two years in Dayton. While in Thorntown, Mr. Brand
united with the Methodist Episcopal church and in 1880 he was licensed as an
evangelistic worker, after which time he was engaged in various places as an
evangelist. His untimely death, occurring when he was forty-seven years
1222 PAST AND PRESENT
old, was keenly felt by all who knew him. He left a devoted wife, son and
daughter, an aged mother and one brother, besides hosts of loyal friends, to
mourn their untimely and irreparable loss.
Mrs. Brand is a woman of gracious personality, of liigh intellectual
attainments, and she was the source of a great deal of help and inspiration
to her talented husband. She is affable, of pleasing address, refined and kind-
hearted, always ready to assist others — a true Christian lady who numbers her
friends only by the limits of her acquaintance.
A WOODEN RAILROAD.
The following interesting reminiscence has been contributed by one
familiar with the facts, but was received too late to be inserted in its proper
place in the first volume of this work.
In about 1855-56 a wooden railroad was built in Tippecanoe county.
Starting at West Lafayette, the road ran alongside the highway leading by
the water tank, thence to the "Two-mile" saw mill, and on out the old plank
road to what is now known as Klondike. Here the road went in a northerly
direction around the burying ground, then turned up towards Mr. Harvey's
place, and stopped. The original intention had been to run the road to Oxford,
but it was completed only to the Four-mile brickyard. The idea was originated
by the late Henry L. Ellsworth, who thought to haul lumber to Oxford and
then load up with corn for the return trip. Mules were used as the motive
power, and the rails were of wood, four by four inches in size, the material
being sawed out at the Ellsworth sawmill, four miles from Lafayette. It is
stated that Thomas Murdock, at the age of thirteen years, was employed in
the grading of the road, receiving eight dollars a month as wages. The road
was operated intermittently for about a year, and then passed into disuse.
OTTO F. HUNZIKER
was born in Zurich, Switzerland, December 25, 1873. His parents were
Dr. Karl Otto and Louise (Pupekofer) Hunziker. Dr. Karl Otto Hunziker
died in 1908. He was professor of history and pedagogy at the University
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 1223
of Zurich, and was recognized as one of the foremost echicators of his time in
that country.
O. F. Hunziker was fond of the dairy cow and her ])rodnct from his
childhood up, and devoted much of the leisure time of liis earHer years to
work on dairy farms. He graduated from tlie .\gricuhural College. Strick-
hof, near Zurich, in 1892, and spent the succeeding year on a dairy in French
Switzerland. In the spring of 1893 '""^ came to the United States, where he
worked on a dairy farm in Attleboro, Massachusetts, for nearly two years.
He then took a business course in the Bryant & Stratton Business College at
Providence, Rhode Island, from which college he graduated in 1896. From
1896 to 1898 he held positions in bookkeeping with several commercial houses
in Providence, Rhode Island.
Mr. Hunziker entered Cornell University in 1898 and graduated from
that institution in 1900, specializing in dairying. He received the degree of
Master in the Science of Agriculture at Cornell in 1901. He was dairy 1)ac-
teriologist of the New York Cornell Agricultural Experiment Station and
assistant in pathological bacteriology in the New York State Veterinary Col-
lege in 1902. In the fall of 1902 he took the position of milk expert with the
Scranton Condensed Milk Company at Ellicottville, New York. He was
with this company in the capacity of milk expert, division foreman, factory
superintendent, bacteriologist and chemist, respectively, until his call from
Purdue in 1905. His position at Purdue is that of professor of dairy hus-
bandry and chief of the dairy dejiartment. Professor Hunziker was married
in 1905 to Florence Belle Burne, of Ellicottville, New York, Children.
Thelma Belle. Florence Louise and Karl Otto. The subject is a member of
the State Dairy Association, the Official Dairy Instructors" .Association. In-
diana Academy of Science, the Cornell Chapter of the Sigma Xi, and of the
Gamma Alpha Societies.
BOUND TO <«ASe
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