Delaware County, Indiana - Sidelights on Local History, 1924 (part 5 of 21)

JACOB ARTHUR MEEKS, head of the firm of J. A. Meeks & Son, manufacturers, at Muncie, is a native son of that city and has lived there practically all his life, the exception being: a brief period during the days of his young manhood when he was employed at Toledo. Mr. Meeks was born on January 15, 1856, and is the last born of the four sons born to Robert and Sarah (Jones) Meeks, the latter of whom was born in that section of the Old Dominion now included in West Virginia and was eleven years of age when her parents, Jacob and Beersheba (Haymond) Jones came to Indiana with their family in 1838 and settled in Delaware county. Robert Meeks, who died in Muncie in 1906 and concerning whom further and fitting mention is made elsewhere in this volume, also was a Virginian, born in Monongalia county of what since the time of the Civil war has been West Virginia, and was seventeen years of age when he came to Indiana with his parents, Amos and Nancy (Means) Meeks, in 1839, the family locating in the vicinity of Parker, in Randolph coun, ty. He helped his father clear a tract for a farm there and then came over to Muncie and began working in the cabinet shop of Nottingham & Swain, where he got his start in the furniture manufacturing and undertaking line in which he continued the rest of his life and which latter line still is carried on in the family, as is set out elsewhere. Jacob Arthur Meeks, youngest son of this pioneer, grew up at Muncie and at the age of seventeen, in 1873, was graduated from the high school there. He then became employed as a clerk in the grocery store of Maddy, Burt & Kirby and was thus connected for four years, meanwhile taking time off to take a commercial course in Miami College at Dayton, Ohio. He then went to Toledo and became employed there as a bookkeeper, but in 1880 returned to Muncie and became employed as bookkeeper in the office of James Boyce, who then still was operating his bagging factory here, and in that same year he bought an eighth interest in that concern, which in 1885 was sold to the Warren-Jones & Gratz Company of St. Louis, Mo. Following this sale Mr. Meeks bought a half interest in the Boyce handle factory and has ever since been engaged in the manufacture of handles, thus now being at the head of what probably is the oldest continuing industrial enterprise in Muncie. This mill was destroyed by fire in April, 1898, but was at once rebuilt and much enlarged. Two years _later, in 1895, Mr. Meeks secured control of the handle, rivet and machinery department of this factory and has since continued the business, also operating there on East Washington street a wellequipped general lumber mill. In 1919, Mr. Meeks took into this _ business as his partner, his son, Erle G. Meeks, and the business has since then been operated under the firm style of J. A. Meeks & Son and has developed an up-to-date and thriving industry. Though still connected with this firm, Erle G. Meeks is now living at Connersville, where he is the secretary and treasurer of the P. H. & E. M. Root Company, manufacturers of rotary blowers. He married Esther Johnston and has one child, a daughter, Sylvia. It was in 1879 that J. A. Meeks was united in marriage to Lydia J. Gray, daughter of J. M. Gray and wife, of Anderson, Ind., and the latter of whom was a member of the pioneer Shoemaker family of this region. Erle G. Meeks is their only child.

FRANK VAN R. BUNN, professional singer and one of the leading instructors in vocal training in eastern Indiana, with his studio in Muncie, was born at Decatur, IIl., November 16, 1873, and is a son of David Lewis and Amanda M. (Suits) Bunn, the latter of whom was a native of New York state. The late David Lewis Bunn, for years one of the leading lawyers at Decatur, Ill., was born in Chilli- -cothe, Ohio. Reared at Decatur, Frank Van R. Bunn received. his early schooling in the schools of that city and then entered Lombard University at Galesburg, IIl., and was graduated from this institution, following this by a course of law study and was admitted to the bar. Meantime he had been giving attention to the cultivation of his vocal powers, having from the days of his boyhood been recognized as a singer of unusual talent, and after spending four years in law practice at Decatur gave up that profession and went to New York city to become a professional singer. Mr. Bunn took vocal training under some of the greatest masters in this. line in the country and it was not long until he had attained a distinct place in professional circles in New York, his services coming to be in constant demand not only for choir singing but for recitals and the opera, and for fifteen years he followed this profession in New York. In 1915 Mr. Bunn came to Muncie on a visit and was so well received in musical circles here that he volunteered to take charge of a class in vocal training. By the time this course had been completed he had come to feel so much at home in the town that he decided to make this his home. He established his home and studio at 302 West Main street and has since been engaged in vocal training, during this time having given direction to the voices of many of Muncie's most promising singers. On May 30, 1912, Frank Van R. Bunn was united in marriage to Huldah M. Markman, who was born at Richmond, Ind., daughter of Charles H. and Nellie Markman, but was reared at Denver, Col. Mr. and Mrs. Bunn are affiliated with the local Church of Christ (Scientist). Mr. Bunn is a Republican. Fishing is his chief recreation in season and he has long been a staunch supporter of the Izaak Walton League.

RALPH W. PITTENGER, secretary of the A. E. Boyce Company of Muncie, former deputy auditor of Delaware county and a veteran of the World war, was born at Muncie on November 4, 1894, and is a son of Willis V. and Emeline (Ogle) Pittenger, the latter of whom was born in Harrison township, this county, a member of one of the old families of that section of the county. Willis V. Pittenger, a veteran carriage and automobile painter of Muncie, is a native of Hamilton county, this state, a member of one of the pioneer families in that section of Indiana. Reared at Muncie, Ralph W. Pittenger received his schooling in the local schools and upon leaving high school became employed in the office of the county auditor, presently was made a deputy to the auditor and for seven years rendered public service in that office, or until this country took a hand in the World war in the spring of 1917, when he presently got into the service of the army, in April, 1918, and was stationed at Ft. Thomas on special duty in the classification department, serving thus for a period of nine months or until after the close of the war. Upon the completion of his military service Mr. Pittenger returned to Muncie and became employed in the office of the A. E.

Boyce Company, printers and manufacturers of and dealers in general office supplies, 321 East Main street, and presently was made secretary of this company, which position he now occupies. Mr. Pittenger is a Democrat and is a member of the Muncie Chamber of Commerce. He is a Freemason and is also affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, while he and his wife are members of the Baptist church. On August 1, 1917, Ralph W. Pittenger was united in marriage to Edna M. Covault and to this union one child has been born, a son, Richard M. Pittenger. The Pittengers reside at 623 West North street. Mrs. Pittenger was born at Hartford City, Ind., and is a daughter of Ezra C. and Emily (Cole) Covault, the former of whom served for two terms as sheriff of Blackford county. Before her marriage Mrs. Pittenger taught school for several terms in Huntington county. ; FRED B. JONES, secretary and treasurer of the wholesale grocery firm of Joseph A. Goddard & Company at Muncie, has been connected with the operations of that concern for more than twentyfive years and during that period has risen in the service of the company from the humble position of office boy to his present administrative position. Mr. Jones was born in the village of Milton, in Wayne county, this state, October 24, 1875, and is a son of T. M. and Charlotte (Posey) Jones, the latter of whom was a daughter of Oliver Posey, the building contractor who erected the Earlham College buildings at Richmond. He was the son of one of the Virginia Poseys, who had located at Wilmington, Ohio, and from this latter place, when he engaged in business for himself, he moved to Richmond. Two of his brothers were soldiers of the Union during the Civil war. T. M. Jones was born at Milton, Ind., and was a member of one of the pioneer families of that section of Wayne county. Reared at Milton, Fred B. Jones received his early schooling in the schools of that village and supplemented this by a course in the business college at Richmond, his studies there being directed with special reference to his ambition to follow a mercantile career. In 1897, not long after he had attained his majority, Mr. Jones came to Muncie and became employed in the Goddard wholesale grocery establishment, his initial service there being virtually, if not wholly literally, that of an office boy. But he was starting in to learn the business and there, at the bottom, was the place to begin. Finding conditions in this establishment to his liking, Mr. Jones ever since has remained with the Goddard organization, and it is thus that he has rendered more than a quarter of a century's service with that organ- ization. Step by step he "climbed the ladder," earning his promotions as they came, and in time became a member of the company, and in 1903, twenty years ago, was elected. secretary-treasurer of the company, the position he since has occupied. During the period of this country's participation in the World war Mr. Jones rendered efficient local service in connection with the administration of the Federal Food Administrator's office, his long acquaintance with methods of handling and distributing staple food products giving value to these services. Mr. Jones has other business interests in town and is the secretary-treasurey of the Ned Howe Company, retail dealers in shoes, in Walnut street. He is a member of the Muncie Chamber of Commerce and of the local Rotary Club and he and his wife are members of the Country Club. Mrs. Jones (Agnes Howe) is a daughter of James E. and Florence (Jack) Howe, the latter of whom was a daughter of John Jack, the pioneer merchant and miller of Muncie, concerning whom numerous references are made elsewhere in this work. James E. Howe formerly and for years was engaged in the mercantile business in Muncie, a member of the old firm of Howe & Little. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are members of the Episcopal church and Mr. Jones is one of the vestrymen of that parish. For twenty years Mrs. Jones sang in the choir of the Episcopal church.

EVERETT GODWIN, district manager for The Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, with offices at 308 the Wysor building at Muncie, was born in the village of Fairview in the neighboring county of Randolph, July 20, 1894, and is a son of Henry P. and Adna (Friddle) Godwin, the latter of whom is now living at Muncie. She was born at Parker in Randolph county, daughter of Robert McClellan Friddle, of the Greene county (Ohio) family of Friddles who had come out of South Carolina in early settlement days. Robert McClellan Friddle was a landowner and farmer in Randolph county and years ago was proprietor of a store at Fairview and postmaster of that village in the old mail coach days. Henry P. Godwin also was a native of Randolph county, a member of one of the pioneer families there, and after his marriage established his home at Fairview, where he was living when, at the age of twenty-five, he lost his life in an explosion at a gas pumping station. His widow continued to make her home there until in 1916, when she came to Muncie, where she and her son Everett now reside. Everett Godwin was but a child when his father met his tragic death. He grew up at Fairview, where he received his grade schooling and then en- tered the Albany high school, from which he was graduated in 1912. He then took a course in the Muncie Normal College and was for two years thereafter engaged in teaching school, one term in the district schools of Green township, Randolph county, and one term in the schools at DeSoto, in this county. In the meantime he had taken up the sale of life insurance, as a local agent for The Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, and so capably did he demonstrate his fitness and qualifications for this line of endeavor that presently he was made the district manager for this company and in 1916 moved to Muncie, where he since has resided. On March 29, 1918, Mr. Godwin entered the service of the army, for service in connection with this country's activities in the World war, and was assigned to the 3d company of the 1st Training Battalion at Camp Zachary Taylor, whence he presently was transferred to the Field Artillery Officers Training School and commissioned a second lieutenant, with.which rank he was honorably discharged on December 6, 1918, the war then being over. Upon the completion of his military service Mr. Godwin resumed his position as district manager for The Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York and has since been thus. engaged. Mr. Godwin is a member of the Muncie Chamber of Commerce, president of the Dynamo Club and a member of the Kiwanis Club. He is a Freemason, past worshipful master of Anthony lodge, No. 171, of Albany, and has attained to the 32d degree or Scottish Rite in Masonry, a Knight Templar and a noble of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He also is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a Republican and he and his mother are members of the High Street Methodist Episcopal church. They reside in the Koons apartments, 1194 East Adams street.

ARTHUR C. CLYNE, manager of the home office and local branch of the Indiana Flour and Feed Company (Inc.) at Muncie and a veteran of the World war with an officer's commission, is a native son of Delaware county, a member of one of the pioneer families of the county, and has resided here all his life. Mr. Clyne was born ona farm in Perry township on October 4, 1889, and is a son of Henry C. and Mary E. (Helm) Clyne, both of whom also were born in that township and both now deceased. They were the parents of seven children. Reared on the home farm, Arthur C. Clyne completed his schooling in the high school at Farmland and a course in the Muncie Business College and then became a bookkeeper for the Delaware Trucking and Coal Company at Muncie, a position he occupied for four years, at the end of which time he was made manager of the Delaware Trucking and Storage Company, a position he likewise occupied for four years or until the time when this country took a hand in the World war, when he got into the service of the army. On November 17, 1917, Mr. Clyne enlisted his services and was sent to Ft. Thomas (Ky.), and was there assigned to Camp Sherman. After some preliminary training there he was transferred to Camp Lee (Va.), where on September 9, 1918, he was commissioned 'a second lieutenant and was made an assistant instructor in the camp, where he was serving at the time the armistice was signed in the following November and on the 22d of that month he received his discharge, the war then being over. Upon his return home Mr. Clyne became employed in the office of the Props-Dunn Motor Company at Muncie and remained there for a year or until he took his present connection as manager of the office and local branch of the Indiana Flour and Feed Company, which was incorporated on March 8, 1920, and the officers of which are H. E. Burns, of Jasonville, Ind., president; Fleen VanMeter, vice president, and William Willen, secretary and treasurer, these and Mr. Clyne being directors of the company. In 1919 Arthur C. Clyne was united in marriage to Helen C. Hinkle and to this union one child has been born, a son, John Clayton Clyne. Mr. Clyne is a member of the local post of the American Legion and is affiliated with the local lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

HAROLD B. BURKEY, art photographer and proprietor of Burkey's Studio at 4164 South Walnut street, Muncie, was born on a farm west of Eaton, in this county, March 26, 1882, and is a son of Peter and Arabella (Thompson) Burkey, the latter of whom, now deceased, was a 'native of Ohio. Peter Burkey was born in Pennsylvania and as a young man came to Indiana and settled in Delaware county, where he married and became engaged in farming in the Eaton neighborhood, where he is still living. Of the children born to him and his wife, eight grew to maturity. Reared on the home farm in the Eaton neighborhood, Harold B. Burkey received his schooling in the village schools and when fourteen years of age became interested in photography, his first professional training being received at Eaton. He later went to Chicago and after three years of intensive training in the art of photography in that city returned to Eaton and there became engaged in business in that line. In 1907 he disposed of his establishment at Eaton and moved to

Muncie, where he established himself in business and has ever since been thus engaged, the products of his studio having attained a wide reputation for artistic excellence. In addition to his general business as a photographer Mr. Burkey also engages in a wholesale kodak business. In 1902 Harold B. Burkey was united in marriage to Leota Walburn, daughter of Robert Walburn, of Eaton, and to this union four children have been born, two of whom, Arabelle and Joseph Oliver, died in infancy, the survivors being a son and daughter, Harold B., Jr., and Marguerite. Mr. Burkey has for years taken an active interest in the work of various fraternal orders and is affiliated with the local lodges of the Loyal Order of Moose, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Red Men, the Junior Order of United American Mechanics and others of a like beneficiary nature. He has been "through the chairs" in the local lodge of the Loyal Order of Moose and has done effective work in behalf of that order, his services as 'a lecturer in this behalf being in wide demand.

HOMER D. FIDLER, proprietor of the establishment of the Fidler Sales Company, general electrical appliances, houseware and lighting equipment, at Muncie, was born on a farm in the neighboring county of Randolph on June 10, 1887, and is a son of George W. and Emma A. (Hobbick) Fidler, both of whom were born in that same county and the former of whom is a lumberman, now living at Indianapolis, to which city he moved upon leaving Muncie some years ago. Prior to taking up his residence in Muncie in 1905 George W. Fidler had been for some years a resident of Hartford City, Ind., and it was in this latter city that Homer D. Fidler completed his schooling, he having been eighteen years of age when the family moved to Muncie, which he ever since has regarded as his home. At the age of twelve he began his mercantile career, clerking in a store at Hartford City during school vacations, and he ever since has been interested in the contracting and mercantile line. For some time he was engaged as a clerk for a contracting firm doing business in the erection of drilling rigs and power plants in the oil fields and then he took employment with the Remey Electric Company at Anderson, a connection which he held for a year or more, at the end of which time he was sent to take charge of a lumber mill in Ripley county, Missouri. Fourteen months later he discontinued that connection and opened a retail lumber yard at Joplin, Mo., but not long afterward sold that plant to advantage and returned to Muncie, where he became employed in the establishment of the Kimbrough Hardware Company. For ten years Mr. Fidler was thus engaged and then on June 1, 1919, he opened his. own establishment and has since been engaged in business for himself, having a well stocked place at 114 East Jackson street, right in the heart of the Muncie retail district, where he is carrying on as a general dealer in electrical appliances, lighting equipment and the like, and is doing well. Mr. Fidler has the distinction of having been the first person in Muncie to broadcast a radio program from this point. This was in June, 1922, when he installed in his establishment a government broadcasting outfit. In the international window-trimming contest conducted by the Apex Electrical Manufacturing Company in 1922-23, he was awarded third place and third money for the attractive display he made in that competitive exhibition. On May 16, 1908, at Muncie, Homer D. Fidler was united in marriage to Helen Gehring, daughter of John and Bessie Gehring, of that city, and to this union one child has been born, a son, James Clayton. Mr. Fidler is a York Rite (Knights Templar) and Scottish Rite (82°) Mason and a noble of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.

AMOS NELSON WHITELEY, octogenarian manufacturer now living retired at Muncie and whose varied activites have for more than thirty years been closely identified with and related to the best of the material interests of that city, was born on a farm in the vicinity of Springfield, Ohio, March 14, 1838, second in order of birth of the sons born to Andrew and Nancy Catherine (Nelson) Whiteley, the latter of whom was born in Tioga county, New York, February 28, 1812. She was a daughter of Amos and Jane (Sampson) Nelson, the former of whom was born in Massachusetts in 1780, a son of Deacon Amos and Eunice Eddy (Pierce) Nelson. Deacon Amos Nelson was born in Massachusetts in 1742 and died there in 1793. He was a.son of William and Elizabeth (Howland) Nelson, the former of whom was a son of Thomas and Hope (Higgins) Nelson. Thomas Nelson was a son of William Nelson, who was a son of William Nelson, of Scrooby, England, one of the Pilgrims who came over on the "Mayflower." Andrew Whiteley was born in Harrison county, Kentucky, May 31, 1812, the first born of the seven children born to John and Christiana (Hall) Whiteley, who became the founders of the Ohio branch of the Whiteley family. John Whiteley was a North Carolinian, born in November, 1780, a son of Joseph and Sarah (Stoppleton) Whiteley, the former of whom was a son of Dr. Joseph Whiteley, who after practicing medicine for some years in White Haven, England, came to America, following his brother, John Whiteley, who was the first of the name to come to this country, and in 1750 settled in the vicinity of Jamestown, Va., where five years later, in. August, 1755, both he and his wife died, leaving their two sons, Jo-: seph and John. These lads were reared by their uncle, John Whiteley, who died a bachelor in 1770. About that time Joseph Whiteley married Sarah Stoppleton and moved from Virginia to North Carolina, where he was living when the Revolution came on. He took up arms in behalf of the Colonies and served in the army of General Greene. Thrice at the battle of Eutaw Springs he was wounded, but upon his recovery rejoined his company and continued service until the close of the war. He afterward moved to Washington county, Virginia, and some years later moved into the Tennessee country, settling on the Cumberland about seventy miles above Nashville. His son, John Whiteley, married Christiana Hall, of Ohio, and established his home in Harrison county, Kentucky, but later, in 1814, moved up into Ohio and settled on a farm six miles east of Springfield, in Clark county, where he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring in 1845. He had been well schooled in his youth and was for years a school teacher, teaching during the winters while carrying on his farm operations. He was aligned with the Whigs in his political views. Andrew Whiteley was but two years of age when his parents moved from Harrison county, Kentucky, to Clark county, Ohio, and on the home farm in this latter county he grew to manhood. On September 24, 1833, he married Nancy Catherine Nelson and for many years thereafter made his home on a quarter-section farm in the near vicinity of Springfield. Upon retiring from the farm he moved to Springfield, where he and his wife spent the re- -mainder of their days, her death occurring on February 15, 1884, -and his, January 30, 1897. They were members of the Universalist church, Mrs. Whiteley being particularly active in church work, and their children were reared in that faith. There were six of these children, namely: William Needham, of whom more presently ; Amos Nelson, the immediate subject of this biographical review; Eliza Jane, who married J. Johnson Morton; Nancy Catherine, who married William T. Stillwell; Caroline, who married Edward Meyers, and James Reid Whiteley, who was a soldier of the Union during the Civil war. William Needham Whiteley was born on August 8, 1834, and early began to apply himself to the study of mechanics, a field in which he was destined to achieve distinction through his numerous mechanical inventions, particularly that of the "Champion" harvester, the manufacture of which at Springfield did so much to start.

that city on its way as a manufacturing point. In 1892, attracted by. the promising outlook over here consequent to the opening of the Muncie gas field as a means of providing cheap fuel, he moved his manufacturing interests to Muncie and created the suburb of Whiteley, across the river and east of the Ft. Wayne tracks. On August 3 of that year there was an auction sale of lots in this suburb and excursions were run from neighboring cities to bring in purchasers, the big promotion event being followed in the evening by what the newspapers of the time called a "love feast" at Wysor's. In later celebration of the inauguration of this suburb there was held on the evening of December 30 of that year a Whiteley "inaugural" ball, which the newspapers described as a brilliant event, among the distinguished guests present having been Governor Chase. On the following June 3 (1893) much was made of the beginning of distribution of the finished product of the new harvester works, farmers celebrating the opportunity to purchase "home made" harvesting machines. Dinner was served under the trees of Wood's park by officers of the company to purchasers and friends, and the affair was followed by a parade through the city. On May 6 of the next year (1894) this promising plant for the manufacture of reapers and mowers was destroyed by fire, entailing a loss of more than $100,000, without insurance. The plant was not rebuilt and William N. Whiteley presently returned to Springfield, where he resumed his manufacturing operations and where he died on February 7, 1911. In the meantime Amos N. Whiteley, who had been engaged in business at Springfield, with varied interests - including manufacturing, railroads and banking, decided to follow his brother William to Muncie, the brothers ever having been closely associated in their business relations, and in the summer of 1893, having disposed of his interests at Springfield and in association with his sons, Burt H. and Elmer J. Whiteley, came to Muncie with a view to the manufacture here of malleable castings and on June 17 of that year the Whiteley Malleable Casting Company was incorporated, others besides the Whiteleys interested in the project being Thomas Liggett, D. W. C. Bidwell, R. R. Armour, A. L. Johnson, George F. McCulloch and A. F. Patterson. Work at once was begun on the plant on Wysor's Heights and on August 20, 1894, operations were begun. The formal "opening' of the plant was not held until on the following October 30, when this event was accompanied by a public sale of lots on Wysor's Heights. From the newspaper accounts of the "opening" it is seen that liberal advertising brought many strangers to the city and that the opening of the new addition and its principal industry was an important event. The stockholders in the enterprise later organized a subsidiary concern under the name of the Whiteley Steel Castings Company. Amos N. Whiteley continued at the head of the two concerns, the business of which was carried on in the one plant, until in 1919, when the Whiteley Malleable Castings Company's interests were sold to the present corporation, the Muncie Malleable Foundry Company, and the business of the Whiteley Steel Castings Company was wound up. Since then Mr. Whiteley has been living a generally retired life, though still retaining an active interest in affairs as they pass before his view, for his time here has not been wholly given over to the great manufacturing industry which he did so much to develop. His interest in the promotion and organization of the Muncie Home Hospital did much in that behalf and this interest is re- . tained. Formerly and for some years he took a warm interest in the breeding of horses for the speed ring and his "White River Stock Farm" at the edge of town, with the famous "Advertiser," an "Electioneer-Wilkes" get, at the head of his stable gave him a means of diversion that continued for ten years or more, or until advancing years decided him to take advantage of an attractive offer to buy. Mr. Whiteley is a Republican, even from the days of the organization of that party, and has ever taken an active interest in political affairs, but the only public office he ever held was that of city councilman for a time during his residence in Springfield and it was during that term of office that he got through the ordinance creating that city's waterworks system. He was present at the Chicago convention of the Republican party that nominated Abraham Lincoln for President in 1860 and he never can forget a later meeting with the President at the White House when Mr. Lincoln introduced him to his cabinet as "the man who nominated me," and then told the story of how Mr. Whiteley in the early hours of the morning on the last day of the convention packed the historic "wigwam" with Lincoln enthusiasts who thus, when it came time for balloting, were able to put up a much more vociferous welcome to the name of Lincoln than could the Seward boosters when their favorite's name was introduced, and it is a historic fact that the volume of applause for the name of Lincoln had much to do in determining the choice of the delegates on that great occasion. Though Ohio had a candidate before the convention, Tom Corwin having presented the name of John McLean, Mr. Whiteley, then a vigorous young man just past his majority, was for Lincoln all the way and his success in organizing an effective band of what is now called "rooters" undeniably had much to do toward turning the tide of popular favor in the direction of his favorite when the crucial moment of the convention arrived. Mr. Whiteley also had a later and pleasant acquaintance with Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, and William McKinley, during their respective incumbencies in the White House. In May, 1860, Amos N. Whiteley was united in marriage to Josephine Ferrell, who was born in Cincinnati and was but an infant when her parents, Nathaniel and Sarah Ferrell, moved with their family to Springfield, where she was reared and married, and to this union were born two sons, Burt H., born on March 14, 1861, and Elmer J., July 26, 1868. Mrs. Whiteley died at Springfield, Ohio, May 23, 1906, while on a visit with relatives and friends in her old home town, and she was buried in the Whiteley lot in Ferncliff cemetery in that city. Burt H. Whiteley, who was long associated with his father in the latter's manufacturing enterprises, died on March 21, 1917. His widow (Mary Elizabeth Painter), who was born on August 9, 1883, died on June 6, 1920, leaving a son, Amos. Elmer J. Whiteley continues to make his home in Muncie, where he has extensive interests. He married Maud B. Baughman. One child born of this union died in infancy. LEWIS V. HURST, of the firm of Hurst Bros., grocers, 1602 Macedonia avenue, Muncie, was born on a farm in Delaware county on October 22, 1872, and is a son of Leroy D. and Sarah (Keisling) Hurst, the latter of whom, now deceased, was born in the neighboring county of Henry, a daughter of Andrew Keisling. Leroy D. Hurst, who is now living at Matthews, Ind., where he is engaged in market gardening, was formerly and for years a farmer in Delaware county. He was born in Fayette county, this state, and is a son of Sanford Hurst, a member of one of the pioneer families of that county. Reared on the home farm in this county, Louis V. Hurst received his schooling in the neighboring district school and remained on the farm until his marriage at the age of twenty-two years, when he made his home at Muncie, where he ever since has resided. For four years after coming to Muncie Mr. Hurst was engaged in the dairy business. He then was for some years connected with the Lockwood bakery, and then, in 1906, he and his brother, Sanford N. Hurst, became engaged in their present business at the point where they now are located on Macedonia avenue, opening a meat market, grocery and bakery and operating under the firm name of Hurst Bros. It was in 1894 that Louis V. Hurst was united in marriage to Lida Lee. To this union three children have been born, Ora, Stella and Madonia. Stella died

CHARLES F. KOONTZ, former treasurer of Delaware county, later and for some years engaged in the banking business at Muncie and now giving his attention to his agricultural and stock raising interests in Mt. Pleasant township, with residence in Muncie, was born in the village of Yorktown and has been a resident of this county all his life, save for two years spent in New Mexico. Mr. Koontz was born on September 4, 1860, and is a son of J. Harve and Viletta Amanda (Shimer) Koontz, the latter of whom was born in the neighboring county of Madison on September 17, 1840, a daughter of Jacob and Catherine Shimer. The late J. Harve Koontz, a veteran of the Civii war and a former representative from this district in the Indiana Legislature, was born in Fayette county, Indiana, December 27, 1827, and was a son of Jacob and Deborah (Combs) Koontz, natives of Virginia and pioneers of eastern Indiana. Jacob Koontz, who was the youngest of the four children born to his parents, was reared in Virginia, where he was married. In 1820 he moved to Brownsville, Ohio, and five years later came over into Indiana and settled at Alquina, in Fayette county, whence some years later he moved over into Henry county and in 1829 platted the town of Middletown, where he died in the next year, 1830, leaving his widow with six children, Mary, Jane, Allison, B. Frank, Lorenzo D. and J. Harve. His widow married William Daugherty, of Ohio, and by this second union was the mother of four children, Sarah, Isabel, Deborah and William. J. Harve Koontz was not three years of age when his father died. At the age of sixteen he "began for himself," working in the woods down along the Ohio river. In 1850, following the opening of the gold fields in California, he went to the coast, sailing from New Orleans and landing in San Francisco 110 days later. He met with some success in his search for gold and presently returned, arriving at the port of New Orleans in February, 1852, and returned to Middletown and in that same year came up into Delaware county and bought a piece of land in the Yorktown neighborhood. Not long afterward he became engaged in mercantile business at Yorktown and after his marriage in 1855 established his home in that village, having also meanwhile bought the mill at Yorktown, which he continued to operate until 1865. In 1870 he disposed of his. store and moved to his farm in the neighborhood of Yorktown, but some years later again became engaged in merchandising at Yorktown and was thus afterward engaged for many years. Mean- while he had taken up the study of law and was admitted to the bar, but never made a specialty of practice. During the time of the Civil war and at the time of the flurry occasioned by Morgan's raid into Indiana, he had been commissioned by Governor Morton as captain of a company of Delaware county Minute Men, which later became a part of the Indiana Legion and Captain Koontz was commissioned colonel of the regiment acting in this district. For seventeen years, beginning in 1854, he served as trustee of Mt. Pleasant township and in 1876 was elected, as the nominee of the Republican party, to represent this district in the lower house of the Indiana General Assembly, and in that important public capacity served during the sessions of the Legislature in 1877 and in 1879. His later years were spent on his farm south of Yorktown, where he died in 1909. Colonel Koontz was twice married. His first wife, Anna Brown, daughter of John B. Brown, one of the pioneers of this county, whom he married in 1855, died in the next year, leaving an infant daughter, Harriet Antoinette, who married W. A. Goings, of Yorktown. In 1857 he married Viletta Amanda Shimer, who died in February, 1911, and to that union were born five children: Florence May, who died at the age of two years; Charles F., the immediate subject of this biographical review; Oliver Morton and Harve M. Koontz, and Clara, wife of Will A. Young, of Muncie. Charles. F. Koontz was reared at Yorktown, supplemented the course in the village schools there by a course in Valparaiso University and then ° was engaged as a clerk in his father's store until in 1883, when he accepted the appointment as deputy county treasurer, during the incumbency of John W. Taylor, and was continued in this position during the succeeding incumbency of George Kirby, thus serving in the treasurer's office for eight years, or until in 1891. For a year thereafter Mr. Koontz was engaged in the canning business and then took up general public accountancy, a line which he followed until the time of his election in 1898 to the office of treasurer of Delaware county, in which office he served for four years. Meantime he had become a director in the old Union National Bank of Muncie, T. F. Rose then president, and in 1904 was elected vice president of that institution, a position he continued to occupy until this bank's eventual merger with the Merchants National Bank. Since leaving the bank Mr. Koontz has given his attention chiefly to the development of his agricultural interests on the old Koontz homestead farm in the Yorktown neighborhood, where he makes a specialty of the raising of live stock. He has been one of the leaders in the Boys and Girls Calf and Corn Club movement and has done much to further the effectiveness of that useful movement in this county. He is a Republican, a 82 degree Mason and a Knights Templar, and he and his wife and son are members of the Presbyterian church. In 1884 Charles F. Koontz was united in marriage to Laura May Port, daughter of Thomas and Catherine (Williams) Port, of this county, and to this union were born four children, only one of whom, Rodney Harvey Koontz, is now living, the others having been Mabel Port, who died at the age of six years; Grace, who died at the age of twenty, and Robert Charles Koontz, who died on May 1, 1922, at the age of nineteen years.

FRANK O. AND HARVEY E. ARMSTRONG, doing business at Muncie under the firm name of the Autoelectric Service Corporation, were born and reared at New Albany, this state, and are sons of William T. and Amelia (Hesselrode) Armstrong, the latter of whom is now living at Yorktown, in this county, now past seventy-two years of age. The late William T. Armstrong, who was a marine engineer at New Albany, died when just past fifty years of age. To him and his wife were born four children, of whom the brothers here mentioned alone survive, they having had a sister, Nettie A., who died at the age of eighteen years, and another brother, Arthur T. Armstrong, who died leaving one son, Arthur Lee Armstrong, of St. Petersburg, Fla. Frank O. Armstrong, who was born on January 25, 1875, has been twice married. By his first wife Musetta P. Vest, he had one child, a son, Robert E., who died in infancy. Following the death of his first wife he married Mary E. Rockhold, who died in the fall of 1919. Harvey E. Armstrong, who was born on February 25, 1893, married Margaret Compton and has four children, Ruth, Arthur, Alice and Harvey. He makes his home at Yorktown, residing at the corner of Broadway and Locusts streets. He came here from Anderson, where he had for some time been engaged in electrical mechanical work before taking up similar work in Muncie, where he and his brother are now engaged in business. Frank O. Armstrong left New Albany years ago and moved to Indianapolis, whence some years later he moved to Anderson, where for some years he served as superintendent of the Madison County Orphans Home. After leaving the orphans home he and his wife went south for one year and then returned to Indianapolis where Mrs. Armstrong died in the fall of 1919. In the following year (1920) Frank O. Armstrong rejoined his brother, Harvey, who meanwhile had become a resident of Muncie, and' in this city has since made his home. It was thus that in 1920 the two Armstrong brothers established their present business, operating under the name of the Autoelectric Service Corporation, general electrical and battery service for automobiles, and they now have a well equipped plant and a flourishing business at 107 North High street. They give close attention to the needs of their trade and have built up a permanent establishment. The brothers are both members of the local lodge (No. 33) of the Loyal Order of Moose.

PHILIP P. BUSCH, president of the firm of Busch, Russell. & Gelts, monument makers and dealers in architectural stone at Muncie, a former member of the city common council and the present head of the board of control of Beech Grove cemetery, has been a resident of Muncie since 1884, when he came here to take a hand in the erection of the court house. Mr. Busch was born in the city of Chicago on February 22, 1854, and is a son of Peter and Mary (Cruse) Busch, both of European birth, natives of the grand duchy of Baden. Peter Busch came to this country in the days of his young manhood and after a bit of prospecting around decided that here was the place to make his home. He went back to Baden for the girl who was there waiting for him and after their marriage they came to America, not long afterward locating at Chicago, where Peter Busch became engaged working at his trade as 4 wagon maker and where he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives, he being eighty-eight years of age at the time of his death and she, eighty-seven. They were the parents of fourteen children and their descendants in this generation form a considerable connection in this country. Philip P. Busch was reared at Chicago and in the schools of that city received his schooling. He early learned the stone-cutter's trade and as a young man went West as a journeyman stonecutter. He made his way to the coast and at San Francisco worked on the erection of the Palace hotel and some of the other notable buildings erected there during the late '70s, and then worked back East, as a journeyman, spending several years in this form of travel, during which he worked in most of the important cities of the United States. While in the East, in the summer of 1884, he married and straightway thereafter came to Muncie to be on hand for the erection of the Delaware county court house, the plans for which were being developed in that year, and on the stone work of which he was employed until the monumental job was finished. By the time the court house was finished Mr. Busch had become so deeply attached to Muncie that he decided to remain here and in earnest of this permanent attach- ment became engaged in business on his own account as a stonecutter, making a specialty of architectural stone which about that time came into large demand in Muncie, this demand being greatly increased when presently the town entered upon its general rebuilding program following the opening of the gas field. Two years after he had opened his stone yard here Mr. Busch was joined in his enterprise by Duncan Russell, the two thereafter doing business under the firm name of Busch & Russell until in 1898, when George F. Gelts joined the firm, which since has carried on the business under the name of Busch, Russell & Gelts, with a well equipped plant for general stone cutting and monumental work on Kilgore avenue, Mr. Busch being president of the concern. Mr. Busch is a Republican and for eight years represented his ward in the city council. For eighteen years he has been a member of the Beech Grove Cemetery Association and is the present president of the cemetery board of the common council. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1885, the year following his arrival in Muncie, and he also is a member of the local lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. It was on June 27, 1884, that Philip P. Busch was united in marriage to Mary F. Gelts and he and his wife have two daughters, Esther, wife of Clarence G. Wood, and Ethel, wife of Fred Lesh.

JAMES F. HILDEBRAND, secretary-treasurer of the American Mutual Cyclone and Hail Insurance Company of Indiana, with general offices at Muncie, is a native Hoosier and has spent all his life in this state with the exception of several years spent in the West not long before he took up his residence in Muncie. Mr. Hildebrand was born on a farm in the vicinity of Attica in Fountain county, Indiana, September 11, 1873, and is a son of Francis Marion and Emaline (Duncan) Hildebrand, the latter of whom was born in Ohio. Francis Marion Hildebrand was born in Pennsylvania and was but a lad when he came to Indiana with his parents, the family locating in Fountain county, where he grew up and where, after his marriage, he established his home. Reared on the home farm, James F. Hildebrand received his schooling in the Attica schools and was graduated from the high school there in 1892. He then began clerking in a drug store in that city and after awhile became a qualified pharmacist. For more than nine years he continued thus engaged as a clerk and then he bought the drug store and became engaged in business on his own account. Five years later, however, he found the confinement of the store was affecting his health and he sold out and went to Colorado, where he remained for five years and where he received much physical benefit from the change of climate. During the greater part of this time spent in Colorado Mr. Hildebrand was engaged in the drug business. During the last eighteen months of that period he was employed as hospital steward in the Colorado Soldiers and Sailors Home. He then returned to Indiana and after a brief stay at Attica came to Muncie, where he since has made his home. Upon coming to Muncie Mr. Hildebrand opened a drug: store here, but not long afterward he promoted the organization of the American Mutual Cyclone and Hail Insurance Company of Indiana and was elected president of the company. Two years later, having meantime disposed of his drug store and thus being in a position to devote his whole time to the affairs of the insurance company, he was made secretary-treasurer and general manager of the company and has since been serving in that capacity, with offices in the Jones building. This company operates only in Indiana, insuring greenhouses and their contents against damage by hail and wind. Mr. Hildebrand also is interested in the Florists and Gardeners Insurance Company of Toledo, which he helped to organize. He is a Democrat and a Royal Arch Mason. Mr. Hildebrand married Luella Shields, daughter of David and Elizabeth Shields, of Attica, Ind., and he and his wife reside in the Canopic apartments. _

R. EDWARD MAUER, vice president and general manager of the Coca Cola Bottling Works at Muncie, has been a resident of Muncie since the days of his infancy and literally "grew up" to the bottling business, a vocation he has followed all his active life. Mr. Mauer was born at Crawfordsville, Ind., March 2, 1886, and is the son and only child of M. F. and Anna (Peters) Mauer, who for nearly forty years have been residents of Muncie and the latter of whom also was born in Indiana, the place of her birth being Aurora, in Dearborn county. M. F. Mauer is a native of Germany and was but two years of age when he came to this country with his parents, the family settling on a farm in the vicinity of Bloomington, III. He grew to manhood on that farm and early became engaged in railroading, a locomotive fireman until after his marriage, when he became engaged in the grocery business at Crawfordsville and was thus engaged at that place until in 1887 when he moved with his family to Muncie and has ever since resided here. Upon his arrival here Mr. Mauer bought the Martin Klopfer bottling plant and has ever since been engaged in the bottling business here, formerly and for many years bottling soda waters. In 1915 he and his son Edward promoted the organization of a company to take over the local Coca

Cola bottling franchise and he was elected president of this company, which was incorporated on May 30 of that year and has since been doing business as the Coca Cola Bottling Works of Muncie, with an up-to-date and ample plant at 200 West Willard street. As will be noted by a comparison of above dates, R. Edward Mauer was only a year old when he came to Muncie with his parents in 1887. He received his schooling in the local schools and from the days of his boyhood was a helpful factor in the operation of his father's bottling plant, presently being made manager of the same. In 1915 when the Coca Cola Bottling Works of Muncie was organized, as set out above, he was elected vice president and general manager of that concern and has since been acting in that capacity. In 1922 this plant was enlarged and expanded by the addition of a modern filter and water-softening system and now has a capacity of no fewer than 1,200 cases a day. The territory covered by this local company's franchise includes Delaware county and parts of the adjacent counties of Randolph, Henry and Grant. Mr. Mauer is a member and former director of the Indiana State Bottlers Protective Association, of the National Bottlers Protective Association and of the Coca Cola Bottlers Association. He is a Democrat and is affiliated with the local council of the Knights of Columbus and the local lodges of the Improved Order of Red Men, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the Loyal Order of Moose. R. Edward Mauer married Mary Mulvihill, daughter of James and Catherine Mulvihill, and has two children, Margaret and Catherine. Mr. and Mrs. Mauer are members of St. Mary's Catholic church at Dunkirk.

DR. M. T. BOTKIN, a veteran of the World war and one of the younger of Muncie's dental surgeons, with offices at 21114 South Walnut street, was born in the hamlet of Unionport in the neighboring county of Randolph on April 9, 1896, and is a son of John and Suda (Cheesman) Botkin, both of whom were born in that same county, members of pioneer families there. John Botkin, now superintendent of highways for Randolph county, has been a farmer most of his life. He is a son of Dr. Thomas Botkin, who was for nearly forty years engaged in the practice of medicine at Unionport and Farmland, and who was a son of Dr. John Lafayette Botkin, of Unionport, who was one of the real pioneer physicians of Randolph county. John Botkin and wife have two sons, the subject of this sketch having a brother, Harold Botkin. Reared on the farm, M. T. Botkin received his schooling at Unionport and at Farmland and in 1914 was graduated from the high school in the latter village.

After a preparatory course in the medical school of Indiana University he then entered the Indiana Dental College at Indianapolis and in 1918 was graduated from that institution. In the meantime he had been rendering army service as a member of the Indiana National Guard, in 1916, during the time of the flurry on the Mexican border: having been in field hospital service on the border, with Pershing's army. In the following April when this country took a hand in the World war he again was called to the colors and with his unit was attached to the army at Camp Shelby (Miss.), where he was assigned to Field Hospital 149. In the following January he received leave of absence to complete his course in the Indiana Dental College and was graduated with his class in the spring of that year (1918), after which he resumed his army service and was assigned to the Dental Corps at Camp Greenleaf (Ga.), where he was given a commission, and was thus in service until mustered out after the close of the war. Upon the completion of his military service Doctor Botkin opened an office for the practice of dental surgery at Albany, in this county, and a year later closed out his interests there and moved to Muncie, where he since has been engaged in practice, with offices at 211144 South Walnut street, formerly and for years the office of Doctor Davis. Doctor Botkin is a member of the Muncie Dental Society and of the East Central Indiana Dental Association. He is a Scottish Rite Mason and a noble of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and is also affiliated with the American Legion and with the Modern Woodmen of America. Dr. M. T. Botkin married Catherine Dunn, daughter of George N. Dunn, of Terre Haute. The Doctor and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and in their political leanings are "independent."

WILLIAM J. CLARK, president of the Farmers Savings Bank of Muncie and for many years a resident of Muncie, was born on a farm in the vicinity of Ossian, in Wells county, Indiana, August 5, 1872, and is a son of James M. and Eliza E. (Bowman) Clark, the former of whom was born in Ohio and the latter in Pennsylvania, and who are now living retired at Ossian. James M. Clark is a son of Abraham Clark, a Pennsylvanian, who for some time after his marriage made his home in Ohio and then came over into Indiana, settling in Wells county. One of his sons, John Clark, was killed while serving as a soldier of the Union during the time of the Civil war. Mrs. Clark is a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Young) Bowman, natives of Germany, who after a some time residence in Pennsylvania came to Indiana and settled in Wells county. Reared on the home farm, William J. Clark received his schooling in the Ossian schools, was graduated from the high school there and supplemented this by a course in a local commercial school. When he was nineteen years of age he "took up" railroading and was thus engaged for four years, as telegraph operator and station agent, and then became connected with the operations of the Standard Oil Company in the Indiana oil field and presently took up his residence in Muncie. For twenty-five years Mr. Clark continued his connection with the Standard Oil Company, most of the time as oil inspector, and then, in December, 1916, became one of the active promoters of the organization of the Farmers Savings Bank at Muncie. When in April, 1917, the final organization of this bank was effected Mr. Clark was elected president of the same and has since been engaged as the executive head of this financial concern. This jpank found an immediate place in the commercial activities of Muncie and has long since passed its half million mark in the way of deposits. The bank has admirable quarters at 200 East Main street. In 1892 William J. Clark was united in marriage to Rosa E. Dickason, of Petroleum, in his home county of Wells, and to this union two sons have been born, William Herbert and Clyde D. Clark, the former of whom is connected with the refining company. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are Republicans. Mr. Clark has lodge affiliations with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

WILLIAM C. BENBOW, of the firm of Benbow Bros., home decorators, Muncie, and a veteran in that line, was born in the neighboring county of Henry, July 21, 1874, and is a son of Ephraim and Mary E. (Hutchings) Benbow, both of whom were born in Delaware county, members of pioneer families here, and who for a while following their marriage made their home in Henry county but who later established their home on a farm in Harrison township, this county, in the New Corner (Gaston) neighborhood. It was thus that though a native of Henry county William C. Benbow was reared in Delaware county and got his schooling in the schools of Harrison township. When he was eighteen years of age, in 1892, he came to Muncie and entered upon an apprenticeship in home decorative arts under the decorating firm of Benbow & Jones and was thus engaged for three years and more, at the end of which time he began to take contracts on these lines on his own account and was thus engaged in Muncie until in 1909, when he became engaged as a department manager in the McNaughton department store. In 1912 he transferred his connection to the J. B. Pearce Wall Paper Company of Cl&8veland and was connected with that concern as a salesman until in 1919, when he and his brother, Ira Benbow, established a business of their own at Muncie, opening an establishment at 114 West Jackson street, in the Western Reserve Life building, and have ever since been thus engaged, proprietors of a well equipped place, amply prepared for all calls in the way of house decoration, and are doing well, their store being known as the Home Decorators. Mr. Benbow is a Republican and is affiliated with the United Commercial Travelers, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Loyal Order of Moose. In September, 1896, at Muncie, William C. Benbow was united in marriage to Maggie M. Moore, who was born in York, Pa., daughter of Samuel Moore, but was reared in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Benbow are members of the Baptist church. They have five children, Gladys M., Margaret W., Veda A., Carlton M. and Samuel E. The Benbows reside at 204 South Vine street.

ROLLIN W. LENNINGTON, a member of the bar of the Delaware circuit court, a practicing attorney, with offices at Muncie, and a landowner of Mt. Pleasant township, where he makes his home, is a member of one of the old families of this part of the state. Mr. Lennington was born at Winchester, in the neighboring county of Randolph, August 10, 1872, and is a son of Abraham and Mary (Birch) Lennington, both of whom were members of pioneer families in eastern Indiana. Abraham Lennington, a soldier of the Civil war, served as a member of Company E of the 36th regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was for some time attached to the staff of Colonel Groce, of Newcastle. At the battle of Chickamauga he was so severely injured by the fall of his horse that he ever afterward suffered from this injury and died when his son. Rollin was a small child. When he was six years of age Rollin W. Lenning- © ton was further bereaved by the death of his mother. -He was reared -in the household of a neighbor in the Winchester neighborhood and upon leaving school took up the study of law in the office of Warner & Brady at Muncie and in due course of time was admitted to the bar and has ever since been practicing law, with present offices at 504 the Wysor building at Muncie. Mr. Lennington has a well improved farm in Mt. Pleasant township, where he makes his home. He is a Republican and is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. On September 5, 1894, Rollin W. Lennington was united in marriage to California Harman, also a member of one of the pioneer families hereabout, and to this union seven children have been born, John R., Mary C., Harman A., Paul A., Jacob N., Joseph B. and Dainty A. L., the two elder of whom are married. John R. Lennington married Nora E. Haney and has a son, William Warner Lennington. Mary C. Lennington married F. B. Bocook and has three daughters, Mary Catherine, Julia Lavina and Ella Pauline. Mrs. California Lennington was born in Mt. Pleasant township, January 7, 1873, and is a daughter of John W. and Lavina (VanMatre) Harman, the latter of whom was a daughter of James M. and Mary (Jones) Van Matre, the former of whom was a member of the pioneer VanMatre family which took a conspicuous part in the settlement of the Yorktown neighborhood, as is set out elsewhere. John W. Harman was born in Maryland in 1829, son of John and Elizabeth Harman, and became a resident of Indiana in 1838, coming over here from Ohio. After his marriage to Lavina VanMatre he established his home on a farm in Mt. Pleasant township and there came to be the owner of more than 600 acres of land.

JAMES L. DAVIS, recorder of Delaware county, now serving his second term in that important public office, is a native son of this county and has resided here all his life. Mr. Davis was born in the historic old village of Smithfield, in Liberty township, in 1859, and is a son of Joseph and Fannie (Waldo) Davis, the latter of whom was born in Jacksonburg, in Wayne county, this state, daughter of Doctor Waldo, the village physician there. Joseph Davis, who for many years was a veterinary surgeon at Smithfield, was a native of South Carolina, of Welsh stock, and was but a boy when he accompanied his parents to Indiana, coming through on horse back, the family settling in Delaware county, among the pioneers of Liberty township. Of the children born to Joseph Davis and wife four are still living, the subject of this sketch having three brothers, John _W., Joseph E. and Marion G. Davis. Reared at Smithfield, James L. Davis received his schooling in the schools of that village and as a young man became engaged in the barber business there, and for thirty-six years was thus engaged. Meanwhile he had ever taken an interested and active part in local political affairs and came to be recognized as one of the leaders of the Republican party in this county. In 1918 he received the nomination for the office of county recorder and in the election of that fall was elected to that important office. So satisfactory did his services in this public capacity prove that in 1922 he was renominated and re-elected, and is thus now serving his second term in the recorder's office. Mr. Davis is a Free- mason and is also affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Independent Order of Foresters. In 1892 James L. Davis was united in marriage to Louisa M. Kirp, who is now assisting her husband in the recorder's office, serving as deputy county recorder. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have three sons, Eugene K., Frederick and Joseph H., the latter of whom was recently admitted to practice at the bar of the Delaware circuit court. Eugene K. Davis is a veteran of the World war with an overseas record and Joseph H. Davis served in the S. A. T. C. during the time of this country's participation in that war. Eugene K. Davis married Lillian Davis and has one child, a son, Eugene, Jr. Frederick Davis married Marcile Curry and has two children, Joseph Byrl and Betty Jean. JAMES P. DRAGOO, auditor of Delaware county, is a member of one of the real pioneer families of this county. He was born on a farm in Center township on August 8, 1864, and is a son of William and Amanda (Truitt) Dragoo, the latter of whom also was born in this county, daughter of George Truitt, who was one of the pioneers of Liberty township. The late William Dragoo, former auditor of Delaware county, was four years of age when he came to this county from that part of Virginia now comprised within West Virginia with his parents in 1836, his father, William Dragoo, becoming, one of the pioneer landholders of Delaware township. That was less than ten years after Delaware county had become a separate civic entity. It is thus that both the Dragoos and the Truitts have been continuing factors in the development of this county from an early day. The junior William Dragoo grew up in Delaware township, familiar with all the details of pioneer farming and clearing. He was an apt student in the pioneer schools of his home neighborhood and for several years before his marriage was engaged during the winters in teaching school. After his marriage he settled on a farm in Hamilton township, but presently bought a farm of eighty acres in Center township, not far out of Muncie, and there established his home. From the days of his young manhood he had taken an active part in local political affairs, one of the leaders of the Republican party here, and in 1874 was elected auditor of Delaware county, in which office he served for four years, meantime maintaining his home on the farm. In 1884 he was again elected auditor and served another four-year term. Upon this second election he left the farm and moved to Muncie, for the greater convenience of the administration of his office, and upon retiring from office in 1888 became engaged in the retail meat business in that city, later taking up the plumbing business and in this latter line was engaged the remainder of his life, his death occurring in 1904. His widow survived him until 1914. To William Dragoo and wife were born four children, two of whom are still living, the subject of this sketch having a sister, Mrs. Emma Hoover, of Muncie. Reared on the home farm in Center township, James P. Dragoo was graduated from the Muncie high school in 1883. For two or three years thereafter he continued working on the home farm and then he became engaged in the plumbing business at Muncie and was thus engaged for several years, at the end of which time he moved to Elwood. Four years later he returned to Muncie and resumed his plumbing business and was thus engaged when in 1918 he was elected auditor of Delaware county and thus entered upon the duties of the office from which his father had retired thirty years before. In 1922 Mr. Dragoo was reelected auditor and is thus now serving his second term in that important public office. As was his father, Mr. Dragoo is an ardent Republican and has long been looked upon as one of the leaders of that party in this county. He is a member of the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and of the Loyal Order of Moose, in which latter lodge he has been "'through the chairs" and in 1915 was the representative of that lodge in the Supreme Lodge of the order, meeting that year at San Diego, Cal. James P. Dragoo has been twice married. In 1887 he was united in marriage to Sadie Imes and to that union were born three children. Of these but one is now living, a son, Robert W. Dragoo, a veteran of the World war, who is now engaged in the advertising business at Indianapolis. In 1906 Mr. Dragoo married Mrs. Ella Budd, who by her first marriage is the mother of a daughter, Hazel, who married Arthur Walling, a member of one of the old families of Muncie, and is now living at Kansas City, Mo. Mr. and Mrs. Dragoo are members of the Jackson Street Christian church and for seven years Mr. Dragoo was a member of the official board of that congregation. WILLIAM T. HAYMOND, a member of the bar of the Delaware circuit court, junior member of the law firm of White & Haymond, of Muncie, was born in the village of Cowan, this county, August 1, 1880, and is a son of Henry Clay and Margaret A. (Louthain) Haymond, the latter of whom is still living, making her home at Muncie, where she has resided for nearly forty years. She also was born in this county and is a daughter of George Louthain, who came here from South Carolina and became one of the pioneer farmers and merchants of Delaware county, where his last days were spent, his death occurring when he was past ninety years of age. The late Henry Clay Haymond was born at Palestine, near the city of Fairmount, West Virginia, May 4, 1852, and was a son of Octavius and _ Elizabeth (Fleming) Haymond, the former of whom died when this son Henry was but nine months of age. When he was seventeen years of age, in 1869, Henry Clay Haymond came to Indiana to make his home with his elder brother, William A. Haymond, who in the days before the Civil war had come here and settled on a farm in Delaware county. Upon coming here he entered the Muncie schools and presently became engaged in teaching school, a vocation he followed for nine years, and while thus engaged, in 1877, married Margaret A. Louthain. He then became engaged in the mercantile business at Cowan, where he also presently started a tile factory, and continued to make that village his home until in 1886, when he disposed of his interests there and moved to Muncie, shortly afterward becoming connected with the Indiana Bridge Company, with | which concern his interests were identified for many years, or until within a few years prior to his death. In the meantime he was developing other local interests and in 1905 was elected vice president of the Delaware County National Bank, a position he retained the rest of his life. He also was a member of the board of directors of the Muncie Trust Company and of the Mutual Home and Savings Association. He was a Republican, for some time represented his ward in the city council, served for several years as city controller and also for years served as a member of the city school board. Fraternally, he was affiliated with the Freemasons, the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. To Henry Clay Haymond and wife were born four sons, of whom the subject of this sketch is the second in order of birth, the others being Walter O., Edgar L. and Fleming Clay Haymond. William T. Haymond attended the Muncie schools, from which he was graduated in 1899. He entered Indiana University and in 1903 received from that institution his A. B. degree. Two years later, in 1905, he received his Bachelor of Laws degree from the Indiana Law School, which he had entered upon leaving the university, and in the same year began the practice of law at Muncie. In 1906 he became a member of the law firm of Bingham, White & Haymond, now White & Hay- - mond and has go continued, with present offices at 12314 West Main street. Mr. Haymond is a Republican. He is a Scottish Rite (32°) and York Rite (Knights Templar) Mason and a noble of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and is also affiliated with the local lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In 1909 he married Helen Louise Glass, of Detroit, Mich. They have one child, a daughter, Jane.

WILLIAM D. RAMSEY, one of the leading "down town" grocers of Muncie, has been engaged in that business for the past six years and more, prior to which time he was for some years engaged 'on the road," as a traveling salesman for a local concern. Mr. Ramsey was born in Muncie on June 26, 1889, and is a son of Charles A. and Jane (Harris) Ramsey, who are now living at Ft. Wayne, Ind. Charles A. Ramsey was born at Winchester, in the neighboring county of Randolph, and is a son of Simon and Elizabeth (Allen) Ramsey, the latter of whom was born in the Winchester neighborhood, a member of one of the real pioneer families there. Simon Ramsey was born at Cincinnati, a son of Benjamin and Jeannette Ramsey, the former of whom was born in the vicinity of Pittsburg, Pa., the son of a Scottish immigrant who had settled there upon coming to this country from Glasgow. Mrs. Jane Harris Ramsey was born in Wayne county, this state, a daughter of Jesse and Emily J. (Hampton) Harris, the latter of whom for many years and until her death was clerk of the Indiana Yearly Meeting of Friends. Jesse Harris was a son of Obediah Harris, a minister of the Friends church, who came to this country from England and after a sometime residence at Philadelphia, moved to Richmond, Ind., where he established his home. Charles A. Ramsey became a resident of Muncie back in the '80s and was for some years engaged in business here. He served for some time as a state bank examiner and is now engaged as a public accountant at Ft. Wayne. He and his wife have three children, the subject of this sketch having a sister, Mary E., who completed her schooling at the Western College for Women at Oxford, Ohio, and a brother, Carl, the latter of whom, a veteran of the World war, is now the recorder for the Ft. Wayne temple of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Carl Ramsey served during the war as a second lieutenant in the machine gun battalion of the 334th regiment and was an instructor at Camp Hancock. William D. Ramsey completed his schooling in the Missouri Military Academy and at DePauw University and then became employed as a traveling salesman for a clothing house. He presently transferred his services to the A. E. Boyce Company, office supplies, at Muncie and was engaged as a traveling representative for that concern until in 1917, when he became engaged in the grocery business at Muncie and has since been thus engaged, with a well ap- pointed store at 117 West Charles street. Mr. Ramsey is a Freemason and is also affiliated with the order of Knights of Pythias. In 1914 William D. Ramsey was united in marriage to Mary Lamb, daughter of Charles and Emma (Rhenheimer) Lamb, and to this union two children have been born, daughters both, Barbara Jane and Rachel Sue. Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey are members of the Presbyterian church. They reside at 720 West North street.

DR. LEWIS PAYTON, for nearly forty years a practicing physician at Muncie and who continues active in practice here, is a member of one of the pioneer families of Delaware county and has lived here pretty much all his life. Doctor Payton was born on a farm in Delaware township, this county, September 7, 1851, and is a son of Gabriel and Mary E. (Headrick) Payton, the latter of whom was born in Virginia and was but a young girl when she came to Indiana with her parents, the family settling in this county. Gabriel Payton was born in Indiana, a member of one of the pioneer families of Wayne county. In 1833, as a young man, he came to Delaware county with his parents, the family locating on a farm in the vicinity of Mt. Tabor church in Monroe township. After his marriage he established his home on a farm in Delaware township and there spent practically all the remainder of his life. Of the children born to him and his wife four grew to maturity and three of these are still living, the subject of this sketch having a sister, Martha, and a brother, Philip Payton. Reared on the home farm in Delaware township, Lewis Payton supplemented the schooling received in the neighborhood schools there by a course in the old National Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, and then was for several years engaged during the winters in teaching school, continuing his work on the farm during the summers. He married when twenty-three years of age and established his home on a farm he had bought two and a half miles northeast of Muncie, where he was engaged in farming for four or five years. Meantime he had been carrying on a course of study in medicine and thus equipped by preparatory study entered the old Curtis Physio-Medical Institute at Marion, Ind., and in 1883 was graduated from that institution. Upon receiving his diploma, Doctor Payton established himself in practice at Hartford City, but in the fall of that same year (1883) moved to Ft. Wayne, where he was engaged in practice until his return to Muncie in 1885, since which time he has been engaged in practice here, one of the real veterans in medical practice in this part of the state. Doctor Payton as a member of the Delaware-Blackford (county) Medical

Society and of the Muncie Academy of Medicine and is also affiliated with the Allied Medical Association of America. He is a Republican and is affiliated with the Improved Order of Red Men. It was in 1874 that Dr. Lewis Payton was united in marriage to Agnes J. Beall, who was born in Virginia and who was but a child when she came to Indiana with her parents, Samuel Beall and wife, the family settling in this county. Doctor and Mrs. Payton have three children, two daughters, Laura P. and Marietta, and a son, Volney W. Payton, the latter of whom married Bessie Yelley and has one child, a daughter, Ethel. Laura P. Payton married Harry Bowen and Marietta Payton married Robert Meeks and has five children, Ralph P., Milton, Edith, Mary Janet and Martha Julia. Doctor Payton resides at 316 West. Washington street, where he also has his office.

JAMES B. PINER, a veteran grocer at Muncie, has been a resident of that city for almost thirty years. Mr. Piner is a native of the old Blue Grass state, born in Kenton county, Kentucky, October 1, 1856, and is a son of William E. and Almeda (Rouse) Piner, both of whom were members of old families in Kentucky. Reared on a farm, James B. Piner received his schooling in the neighborhood school and as a young man began working out "'by the month" as a farm hand and so continued until his marriage at the age of twenty: four, after which he rented a farm and began farming on his own account. Not long afterward he started a country store which became the nucleus of a trading center which came to be known by the name of Piner, in his honor, and at which a postoffice presently was established. For nine years Mr. Piner continued in business in this hamlet of Piner and then he sold out there and moved to Covington, Ky., where he bought a hotel. This was not a successful venture and three years later he found himself practically "broke." That was in 1895, when industry was on the boom here in Muncie, and after closing out his affairs in Covington Mr. Piner came to Muncie and took a job in a factory. Four years later he found himself in a position again to engage in business and he opened up a grocery store in Whiteley. This business prospered and in 1905 he bought the place where he now is engaged in business at 508 North Elm street and has ever since been located there, operating a well stocked and well equipped grocery and meat market, and is doing well. Mr. Piner is a Democrat. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America. It was in 1880, while living in Kentucky, that James B. Piner was united in marriage to Minnie H. Rouse, a daughter of E. R. and Elizabeth Rouse. Mr. and Mrs. Piner reside at 518 North Elm street. They are members of the High Street Methodist Episcopal church

CHARLES W. KESOT, proprietor of the Indiana Pattern Works of Muncie and a resident of that city for more than thirty-five years, is a native of the old Buckeye state but has been a resident of Indiana since the days of his young manhood, having come to Muncie from Marion in the year in which natural gas development here began to promise so much in the way of industrial development. Mr. Kesot was born in Warren county, Ohio, December 25, 1865. His parents were very poor and as there were no compulsory education laws in those days he never attended a day of school, his education being picked up by close personal application after he had attained some degree of maturity. When he was seven years of age his parents moved with their family to Illinois and even at that tender age he began to herd cattle on the open range. He continued thus until he was a well grown boy, when he returned to Ohio and at Marysville learned the carpenter's trade. Some time later he came to Indiana and located at Marion, where he remained until in 1888 when, attracted by the gas "boom" then on here at Muncie, he came to Muncie and set up as a building contractor. Mr. Kesot followed this line at Muncie until in 1903 when he began to develop his present business as a pattern and mold maker. In 1915 he formed a partnership in this line with William P. Fisher, under the firm name of the Indiana Pattern Works, and this working arrangement continued for two years or until in 1917, when Mr. Kesot bought his partner's interest in the concern and has since been carrying on alone, though retaining the old trade name of the Indiana Pattern Works, with a well equipped plant at the corner of Fifth street and Macedonia avenue, where undertakings are made in all kinds of patterns and molds for mechanical processes. Mr. Kesot is a member of the local lodge of the Loyal Order of Moose and of the local aerie of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and he and his wife are members of the Christian church. They reside at 901 Macedonia avenue. Charles W. Kesot was united in marriage to Mary E. Duke, daughter of Thomas Duke, of Muncie, and to this union three children have been born, Blanche (deceased), Benjamin Merrill and William Thomas, the two latter of whom are married. Benjamin Merrill Kesot married Mae Schriver and has two children, Charles and Frederick. William Thomas Kesot married Sudie Carr and has one child, a daughter, Frances.

BURRELL C. ANDERSON, dealer in coal and manufacturer of cement block at Muncie, is a native son of Delaware county and has lived here all his life, a resident of Muncie for almost twenty-five years. Mr. Anderson was born on a farm in Niles township on June 22, 1875, and is a son of Felix P. and Mary J. Anderson, both of whom were born in Greene county, Ohio, and who came here and settled in Niles township following their marriage in Ohio. Reared on a farm, Burrell C. Anderson completed his schooling in the Albany schools and was for a time thereafter engaged in labor as a farm hand. He then rented a bit of land and farmed for himself a year, at the end of which time he opened a barber shop at Albany and thus started in a business which he was to follow for twenty years. Two years later he moved to Muncie and became engaged in the barber business here, three years afterward establishing the shop at 'Five Points" which he continued to operate for fifteen years, at the end of which time he sold out that shop and became engaged in the grocery business, a line which he followed for three years. In the meantime he had been operating somewhat in the coal line and in 1921 he sold his grocery store and has since given his whole attention to his coal trade and to his developing business as a manufacturer of cement block, with a well equipped yard and plant at 406 Windsor street, and is doing well. In 1901 Burrell C. Anderson was united in marriage to Zola B. Schrack, and to this union four children have been born, Ruby, Ray, Helen and Elsie, two of whom are married. Ruby Anderson married Fred Conrad and has two children, Fred and Norman, and Helen Anderson married Paul Allen. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are members of the Methodist Protestant church.

ELI HOOVER, candy jobber of Muncie, was born in that city and has lived there all his life, engaged in the cigar and tobacco business for the past thirty years and more. Mr. Hoover was born in 1854 and is a son of A. R. and Mary Jane (Freeman) Hoover, the latter of whom was a daughter of Isaac Freeman, one of the pioneers of Delaware county. A. R. Hoover also was born in this county, a member of the pioneer Hoover family here. Of the children born to him and his wife, five are still living, the subject of this sketch having a sister, Lulu, and three brothers, C. L., Wilbur and Dr. J. E. Hoover. Reared at Muncie, Eli Hoover received his schooling in the local schools and was variously employed until in 1893, when he established the cigar and tobacco business in which he has since been engaged. About fifteen years ago he added the jobbing of candy, and in that time has built up a business which has come to be recognized as one of the most substantial in the trade area in which the Hoover products are distributed. From its small beginning in 1893 the Hoover confectionery establishment has grown into the extensive plant now maintained by that concern at 316 West Main street and its products are being more and more widely distributed each year. Mr. Hoover is an Odd Fellow, a Knight of Pythias, an Elk and a Red Man. In 1877 Eli Hoover married Eldora Shick, of Muncie, daughter of Leonard and Psyche Shick, and to this union have been born three SBHENKETS, Edna, wife of George Roche; Psyche and Reba.

ROBERT SCOTT, who for many years was engaged in the hardware business at Muncie, a business which is being continued by his sons, operating under the name of the R. Scott Hardware Company, left a good memory at the time of his death in the summer of 1922, and it is but proper that there should be carried here some brief memorial to that veteran merchant. The late Robert Scott was a native of Scotland. He grew up as a machinist in his native land and there married Elizabeth Sandeman, who also was born in Scotland. Following their marriage he and his wife came to the United States and were for some time located at Brooklyn, N. Y., where he was placed in charge of the operations of a flax mill, later being transferred to a similar factory in Jersey City. When in the '80s the Boyce flax mill at Muncie was taken over by the company with which he was connected he was transferred to the Muncie plant and was in charge of the operations of that concern until in 1888, when he became engaged in business on his own account, opening a hardware store at 304 South Walnut street. For fourteen years Mr. Scott continued in business at that location and then (in 1902) moved to the site now occupied by the store at 312 East Main street, where the | «business has since been carried on. As his sons grew' into the business, Mr. Scott organized as the R. Scott Hardware Company, and thus continued in business until his retirement in 1921. His death occurred in the next year, August 13, 1922, and the business since then has been carried on by his sons, Robert A. and James Scott. The Scott hardware store occupies two floors and the basement of the building in which it is located in East Main street, these floors being 33 by 125 feet in dimension, and is thus able to carry a stock of goods ample for local trade needs in that line. The senior Robert Scott was active in local commercial promotion enterprises and for some time served as a director of the old Commercial Club. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church and he had rendered service as a member of the board of trustees of that congregation. His wife had predeceased him a little more than seven years, her death having occurred on June 30, 1915. They had three children, the two sons, Robert A. and James Scott, and a daughter, Daisy S., the latter of whom married Fred Thalman and has two children, Frederick and Elizabeth Jane. The junior Robert Scott (Robert A.) was born in Jersey City, N. J., but was reared in Muncie and his schooling was completed at Wooster Academy, at the University of Michigan and at the Eastman Business College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., his training having been directed with a view to assist in carrying on his father's hardware business. Both he and his brother literally "grew up" to this business and are thus worthy successors to its founder. During the time of this country's participation in the World war, Robert A. Scott rendered service in the Quartermaster's Department of the army in New York City. Upon his father's death he and his brother took charge of the business and have since been carrying it on. Robert A. Scott is a member of the local lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He married Alma Loucks and has one child, a son, Donald A. James Scott, the younger son of Robert and Elizabeth (Sandeman) Scott and a veteran of the World war, was born at Muncie on February 10, 1895, and has been associated with the operations of the hardware store since the days of his boyhood. He rendered military service during the time of the World war, enlisting on May 2, 1917, and continuing in service until his honorable discharge on October 2, 1919, almost a year after the war had come to an end, this service having been with the Coast Artillery Corps in Panama and with the 10th Company at Christobal. He married Alma Geer. Since the completion of his army service his time has been devoted to the affairs of the hardware store, in association with his brother, the two thus carrying on a business which has been established in Muncie for more than thirty-five years.