Fayette County, Indiana - Biographical sketches, 1917 (part 2 of 16)

John C. Johnston was born and reared in Allegheny count}-, Pennsylvania, and has been engaged in the practice of veterinary surgery thei"e for many years. He is a son of George and Alargaret ( Alehaffy) Johnston, the former of whom was born in Ireland and the latter in the state of Pennsylvania, of Irish parentage. George Johnston was about nine years of age when he came to the United States with his parents, the family settling on a farm in Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood. He continuetl a farmer and he and liis wife spent the rest of their Hves in Pennsylvania. They were the ])arents of two sons, Mr. Johnston having a sister, Belle. John C. Johnston married Amy E. Anderson, who was born in Pennsylvania, daughter of Elias and Elizabeth (Hazelett) Anderson, both born in that same state, of New England stock. Elias .Anderson was a farmer. His wife died when past middle age and he survived her for some years, he being seventyeight vears of age at the time of his death. They were the parents of four children, Mrs. Johnston having had two brothers, Samuel and John, and a sister, Eleanor. Mrs. Johnston died on September 5, 1914, she then being sixty-eight vears of age. She was an earnest member of the United Presbyterian church, as is Mr. Johnston, and their children were reared in that faith. There were six of these children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the second in order of birth, the others being as follow: Dr. Robert C. Johnston, of Springdale, I^ennsylvania ; Franklin H., of that same place; Nellie, who died in girlhood; Edna M., wife of Charles E. Stotder, of Steubenville, Ohio; and Frances G., who is at home with her father at Tarentum, Pennsylvania.

G. Edwin Johnston was reared in the suburbs of Pittsburgh and upon completing the course in the common schools took a further course in the Pittsburgh Academy and afterward taught school for three terms, meanwhile continuing his schooling in vacations, and later entered the university at Valparaiso, Indiana, from the elocution department of which he presently was graduated. He later took the scientific course there and a year in the law school, after which he entered the Indianapolis Law School, from which he received his Bachelor degree in 1904 and his Master degree in 1905. In that same year Mr. Johnston was admitted to the bar of the Marion circuit court, of the Indiana state supreme court and of the United States circuit court at Indianapolis, and thus equipped for the practice of his profession opened an office at Columbus, this state, and was there engaged in practice for eighteen months, at the end of which time, in the fall of 1907, he moved to Connersville, opened an office there and has ever since been engaged in the practice of his profession in that city. In 191 5 Mr. Johnston was appointed attornev for the board of county commissioners and was reappointed by that board in T916. In this latter year he was elected by the city council as attorney for the city of Connersville and is now filling both the office of county attorney and city attorney.

On Tune 15, 1905, G. Edwin Johnston was united in marriage to Zella R. Ralston, who was born near New Salem in Rush county, Indiana, September 10, 1884, daughter of Elias V. and Mary (McCorkle) Ralston, both natives of this state ami the latter of whom is still liviiifj. EHas V. Ralston and wife were the parents of five children, Mrs. Johnston having; three sisters, May, Esther and Hattie. and a brother. Carl Ralston. Mr. and Mrs. Johnstiui are members of the I'reslnterian chnrch and take a proper interest in the A'arious beneficences of the same, as well as in the general social activities of their home town. .\lr. Johnston is a niemln'r of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the Knights of Pythias, of tiie l-'raternal Order of Kag-les and of the Modern Woodmen of .America, in the affairs of which several organizations he takes a warm interest.

David Wilson McKee, \eteran lawyer of Connersville, dean of the Fayette county bar and senior memb^- of the law firm of McKee, W'iles & Elliott, of Connersville, is a native Hoosier and has lived in this state all his life. He was bom on a pioneer farm in Noble townsliip, in tlie neighboring county of Rush, December 14, 1845, son of Da\id and Martha L. (Woods) McKee, natives of Kentucky, whose last da\s were sjjent in Rush county, honored and influential pioneer residents of that county.

David McKee was a son of John and .\nn ( Piatt) McKee. natives of Pennsylvania, who came into Indiana liy way of Kentucky and became pioneers in Rush county, where they lived to ripe old age and where they reared a family of seven children, those besides David having been Mrs. Mary Ann Stewart, Henry Piatt, John, Robert, Samuel and James. David McKee studied with a view to the law in his young manhood, but later became a farmer and followed that vocation the rest of Ins life, occupying his winters for many years during tjie earlier part of his manliooil liy teaching in the schools of RusJi county. He marrie<l Martha L. Woods, who was born in Kentucky, daughter of Richard Woods rind wife. wJio liecame pioneers in Indiana and who were the parents of a good-sizeil family. Mrs. McKee having had four brothers. John, Samuel. James and Richard Woods, and two sisters, Nancy and Rebecca. David .McKee died at his home in Ru.sh countv in 1884. he then being .se\enty-four years of age. His wife had preceded him to the grave about two years, her death having occurred in 1882, she then being seventy-three years of age. They were earnest members of the Presbyterian church and their children were reared in that faith. There were seven of these children, of whom the subject of this .sketch was the fifth in order of birth, the others being as follow: John H., deceased; Richard Woods, deceased; Martha Ann, wife of Samuel Logan, of Rush county, this state; James, who died in infancy; Ezra, deceased, and Maiy Jane, wife of Samuel H. Tralxie, of Rushville, this state.

David \V. McKee was reared on the paternal farm in Rush county and his first schooling was received in the little old log church building, which also served as a school house, in the neighborhood of his home in Noble township. He also received careful instruction at home from his father and his studies early were directed with a view to the law, a subject to which his father had given close study years before and in which he ever maintained an earnest interest. While continuing to help in the labors of the home farm. David ^V. McKee taught school during the winters for five years, meantime prosecuting liis law studies, and was admitted to the bar in 1871. In 1873 he married and located at Brook ville, this state, where he engaged in the practice of his profession for a little more than thirteen years, (jr until in December, 1886, when he located at Connersville, where he ever since has been engaged in practice, now dean of the Fayette county bar. Mr. McKee is a Democrat and ha^s for years been looked upon as one of the leaders of his party in this part of the state. During his residence in ]^rook\'ille he was for some time the president of the town council there and after moving to Connersville served for some )'ears as city attorney of that city. In lyoo Mr. McKee was the nominee of his party to represent the sixth Indiana district in Congress, but that was a Republican year and he was defeated by his Republican opponent, James E. Watson.

Mr. McKee has been twice married. It was on. June 19, 1873, that he was united in marriage to Martha Eleanor McKee, of Woodford county, Kentucky, daughter of Henry Piatt and Ann (Hutchison) McKee, and to that union were born four children, namely: Josie B., who married Elmer C. Green, of Newcastle, this state, and has two children, Margaret Eleanor and Woodford McKee; Ethel L., now living at Santa Fe, New Mexico, who married David Blaine Thomas, who died leaving one child, a son, Robert McKee Thomas, after which she married Joseph W. O'Byrne and by this 'second marriage has a daughter, Joy Elizabeth; Grace L., society editor of the Couiicrs7'illc Examiner, who is also an expert violinist, and Louise V., who married Edward E. Miller, of St. Bernard, near Cincinnati. The mother of these daughters died on February 22. 1914, and on December 23, 191 5, Mr. McKee married Mrs. Ada R. Harrison, widow of William H. Harrison and sister of his deceased wife. Mr. and Mrs. McKee are mem- bers of the rresbyterian church, in the various beneficences of which thev take a warm interest, ^Ir. McKee having been an elder in that cliurcli almost continuously since 1875. lie also has served as president of the Favette county branch of the American Bible Society and has ever given liis iUdst intelligent and thoughtful attention to local good works, helpful in promoting all movements having to do witli the advancement of tlie comnidu welfare hereabout.

Dr. .\. J. Fletcher, one of Coiuiersville's well-known physicians, was born at Fostoria. Oiiio. September _', 1878, and was reared in that citv, receiving his elementary education in the schools of Iiis home town. I'pon completing the course in the high school at Fostoria he spent a year at Ohio W^esleyan College and then entered Barnes Uni\^ersity at St. Louis, taking there the literary and medical course. After two years spent at that institution he entered Northwestern University at Chicago and two years later, in 1909, received from that institution the degree of Doctor of Medicine.

Upon receiving his diploma. Doctor Fletcher was appointed an interne at St. Elizabeth Hospital at Danville. Illinois, and after a year of valuable practice in that institution opened an office for the practice of his profession at Homer. Illinois, where he remained successfully engaged in ])ractice for five years, at the end of which time he was appointed to the staff of the \^'esley Memorial Hospital at Chicago, .\fter serving there for a vear Doctor Fletcher resumed his regular practice, in 191 5 locating at Connersville, where he ever since has been engaged in practice and where he has done very well, having built up an extensive practice in the city and surrounding country. Doctor Fletclier keeps fully abreast of modern advances in his profession and is a nieml)er nf the Fayette County Medical Societj- and of the Indiana State Medical .\ssociation, in the deliberations of both of which bodies he takes a warm interest. During his college days Doctor Fletcher was an active memljer of the fraternities Alpjia Tau Omega, Omega Upsilon Phi and Tau .\lpha Phi and continues to take an earnest interest in the affairs of those oragnizations.

In Jime, 1910, Dr. .\. J. Fletcher was united in marriage to Rosa Crawford and to this union three children have been born, .-\rthur J., Philip Voris and Julia Rose.

Edward W. Ansted

In the wonderful industrial de\-elopment that has marked the cit)' of Connersville during the past quarter of a century and more there has been no more potent or influential factor than Edward W. Ansted, for many years one of the leading manufacturers and bankers of that city. So widely recognized is this simple statement of fact that in the late Elbert Hubbard's "Little Journey to Connersville," published just shortly before that gentle philosopher started on his ill-fated journey to Europe on the "Lusitania," which was torpedoed and sunk en route, Mr. Ansted was referred to as "the man who keyed Connersville" and Conners\ille is referrerl to as "the lengthened shadow of E. W. Ansted."

Edward W . .Ansted was born at Cla}ton, in Jefferson county, New York. His father was tlie village blacksmith and the boy was brought up to keep busy. The father's folks \\ere "Mohawk Dutch," witii all the virtues that Holland supplies - industr\-, economy, intelligence and thrift, with a love of the handicrafts. His mtither was of Irish descent: thus he is a combination of the solid substance of the Dutch and the humorous wisdom of the Hibernian, as the Hubbard "little journey" so aptly put it. When eighteen years of age, E. W. Ansted began helping to manufacture wagon springs in Gananoque, Canada. Thence he presently moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan, and from there, about 1882, to Racine, Wisconsin, where he became foreman in the plant of the Racine Springs Works, continuing that connection until that firm failed, when he and Michael Higgins, in 1884, bought the machinery and started a small factory at Racine, which they operated until 1889, when they were induced to open a new factory at Indianapolis to supply springs for the Parry Manufacturing Company, the biggest concern of its kind in the United States at that time. Three years later Mr. Ansted moved his springmaking plant to Connersville and has ever since made that city his place of residence. In this new location Mr. Ansted's l>usiness interests gradually became extended until he was the cdntrolling factor in several of the leading industries in that city, including the Lexington-Howard Company, manufacturers of automobiles ; the Ansted Spring and .\xle Company, the Central Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of automobile bodies; the Indiana Lamp Company, manufacturers of automol)ile lamps; the Connersville Wheel Company, the Rex Buggy Company and the Hoosier Castings Company. He also owns a half interest in the Ansted & Burk Milling Company, of Springfield, Ohio, and is president nf the Farmers and Merchants Trust

Fayf.Tte County, Indiana

Company of Coiinersville, a member of the board of directors of the I'"ayette National Bank and jjresident of the Glenwood State Bank at Glenwood. As Elbert Hubbard commented after enumerating- tlie \arious concerns with whicli Mr. Ansted is connected : "\\'hen you want thing-s done, call on a busy man - the other kind has no time."

Edward W. .\nsted's ])arcnts. Ames and Fallen .\nsted. .spent their last days in Connersxille. .\s ahme noted, .\nies .\nsled was a blacksmith and general mechanic, wheelwright and \illage manufacturer. In their later years he and his wife came to Indiana and after a sometime residence in Indianapolis moved to C(.)nnersville, where they spent the remainder of their lives. They were members of the Catholic church and their children were reared in that faith. The'e were seven of these children, Edward \V., Amos A., Mary, William B., lunma, Margaret and Charles. It was during- the time of his residence in Kalamazoo. Michigan, tliat Edward ^^'. Ansted was united in marriage ti> Catherine Burk, wii(-i was born in the province of Ontario, of Irish parentage, and to this union five children have been born, George \\'., .\rthur .\., I'Vank B., X'ellie, who married Emory Huston, of Connersville. and Edward \\'., Jr.. deceased.

Rev. Theodore S. Mesker

The Rev. Theodore S. Mesker, pastor of St. Gabriel's Catholic church at Connersx'ille, is a nati\e Hoosier and has li\ed in this state all his life. He was born at E\ansville, this state. March 20, 1862, and his early schooling was obtained in the parochial school of St. Mar\-'s parish in that city, under the pastorate of the Re\-. I'erdinantl X'iefhaus. In .April, 1874, he then being twelve years of age, he entered St. Meinrad's Seminary, conducted by the Benedictine I-"athers at St. Meinrad, this state, and there spent two years pursuing the conimercial course. He then took up the study of the classics and completed that course in the seminary of St. Francis Salesianum at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, after which he re-entered St. Meinrad's and there completed the full course in philosophy and theolog}-, being admitted to minor orders on May 19, 1883; ordained as sub-deacon on June 3, 1884: as deacon on June 7, 1884, and as priest on May 30, 1885, the ordination vows being administered by Bishop Chatard at St. Meinrad's.

Mary's at Evansville, June 7, 1885, and his first ministerial charge was as assistant pastor of St. Mary's parish at Indianapohs. He presently was transferred from there to the pastorate of St. Bernard's parish at Rockport, this state, but while journeying to missions connected with that parish contracted a severe illness, which necessitated a sojourn of some months in the South. Restored to his wonted state of health by this change of climate. Father Mesker returned North and almost immediately after his arrival in Indiana was appointed to take charge of the parish of the Guardian angel at Cedar Grove in Franklin counts' and he entered upon his parochial duties there on August 15, 1888. He found the parish somewhat in debt, but by assiduous toil and the exercise of iiis energies as a financier he not only succeeded in paying off this debt in a few years, but in erecting there one of the most beautiful houses of worship in the diocese of Indianapolis.

On August I, 1906, Father Mesker was transferred from Cedar Grove to Connersville to take charge of the parish of St. Gabriel in the latter place, and he ever since has been in charge there. St. Gabriel's had a fine church, erected in 1883, and a substantial school building and the Sisters' house was being erected when Father Mesker arrived in charge. He completed the work and has since brought about numerous other substantial improvements in the parish property. The church and other buildings are surrounded by beautiful grounds that are kept with much care and which pro\ide a handsome park fronting the priest's residence, a very comfortable and substantial house. During his pastorate of more than ten \ears at Connersville, Father Mesker has done a good work in behalf of his parish, which has now grown to include about three hundred and fifty families, with about two hundred children in the parochial school, and all departments of the parish work are reported to be in nourishing condition.

In this connection a brief history of St. Gabriel's parish at Connersville will be fitting. The first priest to visit Connersville is said to have been the Rev. John Ryan, who was in charge of the Catholic parish at Richmond, in the neighboring county of Wayne, from August, 1846, to June, 1848, but no record of the exact date of his visit to the few Catholics who then were settled in and about Connersville has been kept. The Rev. ^^'illiam Doyle, in charge at Richmond from May, 1849, to Augu.st, 1853, next had charge of the little mission at Connersville. Father Doyle boarded with the family of A. Apert and celebrated mass in their home. In 185 1 he bought the ground and built a small church and the same was dedicated to the worship of God as the St. Gabriel's Catholic church of Connersville, and there the parish worshiped for more tlian thirty years. Tlie first resident pastor of St. Gabriel's was the Rev. Henry Peters, who arrived in 1H53. Me completed and somewhat improved the church and built a comfortable priest's house, the latter of brick. He fitted up the basement of the church as a school room and there the children of the parish received instructions until a proper school house could be provided. Father Peters was in charge at Connersville for more than twenty years and in addition to his service as ]Kistor of St. Gabriel's performed service as a missionary over a wide territory in this part of the state, his missions including- parishes at Libert}', in L'nion county; at Laurel, in Franklin county; at Rushville. in Rush county; at Cambridge City, in Wayne count)-; at Xewcastle, in Henry county, and at several other points. On account of the proximity of the railroads to the original site of St. Gabriel's church. Father Peters bought a couple of lots in another section of the city in 187 1 and on that site erected a .school house of brick, in which the Sisters of Prox-idence are still conducting the parish .school. The labors of Father Peters in the northeastern portion of the diocese of Vincennes wduld afford a most interesting narrati\-e; l)Ut tlie facts and the dates have been buried with him. He died at Cminersx-illc (in January 31. 1874. and his remains were transferred, in charge of the Re\'. .M. Fleischmann, to Xorth Madison, wliere he now rests, awaiting tlie general resurrection.

Father Peters was succeeded at St. Gabriel's by the Rev. Peter Bischof, wlio remained until 1876, succeeding- admirably in restoring order and in reducing the indebtedness on the school house. He was appointed to Madison in 1881 and was succeeded at St. Gabriel's by the Rev. V. ]. Rudolf, who paid the balance of the parish debt during the first year of his pastorate and at once made pre])arations for tlie erectiDU nf a new cluirch. l^Ie bought five additional lots and tlie corner stone for the new Imuse of worshi]} was laid by Bishop Chatard on June 11. rSSj. The churcli was completed in 1883 and is a beautiful Gothic edifice, one luuidred and fift\--fiiur by fifty-four feet in general dimensions, with a transept seventy-four l)y twenty-eight feet. The church was dedicated on June 15, 1884, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop F. S. Chatard and the occasion was made one of much rejoicing on the part of the parish. Excursion trains were run from Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Harrison and Newcastle, and there were societies present from Cincinnati, Lidianapolis, Brookville, Oldenburg and Rushville. and a company nf Knights of St. fohn from Cincinnati, with Peter .Meyer as captain. It was a beautiful summer day and the day and the occasion will never be forgotten by the ])articii)ants in the dedicatory ceremonies.

George Washington Goble

George Washington Goble, a well-known young lawyer of Connersville and a member of the law firm of Himelick, Frost & Goble. of that city, is a native of the Sunflower state, born of Hoosier parents, but has been a resident of Indiana since his early childhood. He was born on a farm on the plains of Elk comity, Kansas, December 21, 1887, eldest son of Samuel Harper and Nannie (Fisher) Goble, natives of Indiana, who are now living on a farm in f'reble county, Ohio.

Samuel Harper Goble was born on a pioneer farm in Union county, this state, June 26, 1856, son of Henry \\'ashington and Susanna (Harper) Goble, pioneers of that part of the state, the former of whom was born in that county on November 18, 1823, and died at his home, in a house erected about fifty yards from the spot where he was born, November 12, 1910, he then lacking six days of being eighty-seven years of age. He always lived on that farm. Hem"}- Washington Goble was twice married. His first wife, Susanna Harper, was the mother of three children, Samuel H., Mrs. Lydia Ann Hand and one who died in infancy. The second wife, Susan Gray, was the mother of seven children, Henry D., Mrs. Mary Whiteman, Mrs. Mattie Clark, Mrs. Kate Whiteman, Lida, Lawrence and Mrs. Florence Burris. Henry Washington Goble's father, .\bner Goble, the founder of the family in Indiana, was a native of New Jersey, born on October 3, 1783. There he married Lydia Johnson, who was born in the year 1788, and he and his bride dro\-e through to the then wilds of Indiana, coming in a covered wagon by wa}- of the Cumberland Pass, in company with Benoni Goble, a brother of Abner, the brothers having married sisters, and both families established homes in Union county. Abner Goble and his wife pre-empted a tract of land in that county and there spent the rest of their lives, rearing a familv of six children, Mrs. Nancy Staten, Mrs. Leathe White, Mrs. Sarah Kroni, Mrs. Mary White. Amy Ann and Henry Washington. Abner Goble was killed b}- a falling tree while working in the timber, he then being well advanced in years. His wife li\ed to the ripe old age of ninety-two. Another of Abner Goble'-s brothers settled near Knightstown, Indiana, and another lies buried under the court house at Hamilton, Ohio.

Susanna (Harper) Goble, the mother of Samuel H. Goble, was born in Union county, this state, January 24, 1835, and died at the youthful age of twentv-seven years. Her father was Thomas Harper, an Irishman, born in 1803. Her mother was Eliza McCammon, a Virginian, born on August 14,

1814. Susanna Guljle had one brother, Samuel ITariier. a man of most unusual depth of intellect, and two half-brothers and a iialf-sister. John Caj)- l)er. Dan Capper and Elizabeth (Capper) Elliot.

It was on that pioneer farm of his father's that Samuel Harper (ioble grew to manhood. When twent\--one years of ag:e lie decided to go to Kansas, which then seemed to be offering special inducements to settlers. He settled on the plains of Lane county, built a dug-out and for three years lived in that humble abode, his cliief occupation during that period being the gathering of buffalo bones whicii strewed the ])lains - one of the chief "natural products" of Kansas tluring piimeer days - and liauling them to market, seventy-five miles distant, by ox-team. During the winters he varied this occupation by teaching school in Cass county. Missouri. While living there he married Xannie Fisher, who was born in .Shelln- county. Indiana, May 4, 186S, daughter of George \\a.shington and Mary Ann (McLean) Fisher, the former of wiiom was born in Shelby county. Indiana, June 6, 1826, and the latter in tlie state of Tennessee, June 10, F82S. George \\'. Fisher and wife reared their family in Indiana and then luoved to Kansas, settling in Elk county, where the former .spent his last days, passing to the Great Beyond. I'ebruary 6. 1887. His wiflow retiuMied to Indiana and spent her last days at the home of her sou. Tilman Fisher, in Tipton county, dying at the age of seventy-one. George Washington Fisher's father was Michael Fisher, a German, born on October 9. 1800. His mother was Alahala Webb, lie had six brothers and sisters. Martin, Calvin, William, Mrs. Nancv Fisher, Mrs. Pink Bass and Thomas. Mary Ann (McLean) Fisher's father was Daniel McLean and her motiier .Yancy Farnsworth. She had ten brothers and sisters, Mrs. Lizz Thomas, Mrs. Ellen Fisher. Mrs. Sallie Webb-Runkle, Mrs. Rachel Runkel, Mrs. Xancy Law. Jess, Howard, Henry, John and Jane, (ieorge W. Fisher and wife were the parents of eight children, those besides Mrs. Coble having been Tilman, Thomas, Mrs. .\delaide Ro.se, Mrs. Icy Small, Mrs. Rebecca Mayn, Mrs. Malinda Snyder and Mrs. Mahala Magee.

.\fter his marriage Samuel H. Goble settled on a farm in Elk county, Kansas, and there made his home for seven years. In r8(;3 he returned to Indiana with his family and settled in Franklin countw where he lived for two years, during which time he was engaged in carrying the mail from Brookville to Oxford, Ohio. He then moved to Conners\iIIe aufl was ihere engaged in the livery business for ten years, at the end of which time he moved to a farm four miles .south of College Corner, in I'nion county, where he made his home four years. He then bought a quarter of a section of land in Wayne county, this state, where he resided for nine vears and on March

], igij, he located on his present farm of two hundred and forty-live acres near New Paris, Ohio. While living in Kansas, Samuel H. Goble .took an active part in the organization of the Populist party, which for years was so strong in that state, and made many effective speeches in behalf of the principles of that party. He and his wife are the parents of four soils, the subject of this sketch having three brothers, Harry T., Edward E. and Loren E., who are on the home farm in Preble county, Ohio.

George W. Goble was five or six years of age when his parents returned to Indiana from Kansas and he grew to manhood in this state. He was graduated from the high school at College Corner, Ohio, in 1908 and shortly afterward entered Indiana ITnixersit}' and after a course of two years there began teaching school and was engaged as principal of the high school at Alton, Crawford county, this state, for two years. He then resumed his studies at the uni\-ersity and was graduated from the literary department of the same in 191.V He tlicn married and for a year thereafter was engaged as principal of the high school at Cleveland, Oklahoma, in the meantime keeping in view his ambition to become a lawyer and pursuing his studies to tiiat end. He then entered tiie law department of Yale University, a pupil of W. H. Taft, formei- I'resident of the Lnited States; a professor in that department, and was graduated from the same in 191 5. Mr. Goble was a member of the Indiana-DePauw debating team in T913, and at ^'ale, he won the first Munson debating prize in a field of twelve contestants. On August I, 191 5, he located at Connersville and has since then been engaged in the practice of his profession in that city. Upon locating at Connersville Mr. Goble formed a partnership with E. R. Himelick and the firm has since been enlarged b}' the acquisition of H. L. Frost, the firm now doing business under the style of Himelick, Frost & Goble. Mr. Goble is a Democrat and gives his thoughtful attention to political affairs.

It was on August 20, 1913, that George W. Goble was united in marriage to Roberta Lee Sonner, who was born in Harrison countA-, this state, l^ecember u. 1894. daughter of Walter and Catherine ( Fleischmann ) Sonner, natives of that same county, the former of whom is .still living, and who were the parents of three children. Thomas. Alaude and Roberta. Mrs. Goble's mother died when she was three years of age and she was reared in the family of Abraham X. Peckiniiaugh, at Alton, this state, and was graduated from the high school there. Both the Sonners and the Fleischmanns are njd families in Indiana, Mrs. Goble's grand]Darents on both sides having l>een horn in this state. \\'alter Sonner"s father was .\nios Sonner, his grandfather, Joseph Sonner. and his great-grandfather, Philip P. Sonner, wild came lo HarrisDii cnuiily from Straslnirg', Virginia, in 1S17, ami whn (lied in r845. Waller Sonner's mother was f-'liza Deene. who was the dauf^hler of Lincoln Heeiie. a reputed relative of Ahraham Lincoln, and lualine M. (Simpson) Deene. who was a descendant of Sir Thomas Wyatt, an early colonial governor of \'irginia. ^^'alte^ Sonner's hrolhers and sister are Thomas Raxard, at jiresent secretary-treasurer of the German .American Trust Company of Xew .Mhany, Indiana, Tosei)h, Edwin and Zetta. Catherine ( Fleischmann ) Sonner was the daughter of John Philip Kleischmann and Annie Elardsaw. To Mr. antl Mrs. Gohle two children ha\ e been horn, both daughters, Elizabeth l-"isher, horn on Pecemher 8. Hji-f. and hnie Harper, December 3, lyif). Mr. and Mrs. Colile are members of the Methodist church and Mr. Cioble is a member of tlie Masonic lodge at C'onners\ ille.

Hyatt L. I'^rost. former mayor of Connersville, for years one of the leaders of the bar in that cit\-, a present member of the law firm of Himelick. Frost & Goble antl an extensive landowner in Fayette county, is a native son of this county and has lived here all his life. He was born in the village of Harrishurg on June 28, i860, son of Eli and Mel.sena ( Kerschner) Frost, the former a native of the state of Xew 'S'ork and the latter of Ohio.

Eli h'rost was born in Dutchess count}", Xew ^'ork, sixth in order of birth of the seven children born io his parents, the others having been Charles, Mrs. Caroline Dale, Mrs. Lydia Rol>iiTson, Mrs. Sarah Wells. Hyatt and George. His father met his death as the result of an accident at bis iiome in New York and his mother, who before her marriage was Sophia Kelly, came with her cliildren to Indiana and settled nn a farm in the immediate \icinity of Harrishurg, in Harrison township, this countv, Eli Frost then having been but seven or eight \-ears of age. On that farm Eli Frost grew^ to manhood, later engaging in wagon-making in Harrishurg, following- that vocation until he was thirtx-fue years of age, when he returned to farming in Harrison and on the farm reared his family. His mother spent her last days at Ilarrisburg, she being about sixty-fi\e years of age at the time of her death. Eli l-'rost married Melsena Kerschner, who was bom in Ohio, daughter of Daniel and Anna M. ( Emerick ) Kerschner, natives of Pennsvlvania, who came to Indiana from Ohio about 1840 and settled on a farm in Harrison township, this county, where Daniel Kerschner died not manv years afterward, at the age of thirty-five years, and where his widow spent the rest of her life, she hving to a ripe old age. They were the parents of seven children, those besides Mrs. Frost, the first-born, having been Amanda, Anna M., Matilda, Sarah, Daniel and William. Mrs. Frost died on July 26, 1889, aged about fifty-six years, and her husband survived her until October 15, 1916. They were the parents of six children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the first-born, the others being as follow : Rose A., wife of Rev. Ellsworth Cole, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Laura T., who married Harry Clifford and is now deceased; Emerick K., of Twin City, Idaho: Homer F... of Cleveland. Ohio, and Delia W.. wife of Carey E. Clifford, of Glenwood, this county.

Hyatt L. Frost was reared on the paternal farm in Harrison township and received his schooling in the local schools, meantime being a valuable aid to his father in the labors of developing and improving the home farm. For four }'ears he taught school and then began to read law in the ofifice of Florea & Florea at Connersville. .\fter a thorough course of reading under that able preceptorship he was admitted to the bar in October, 1881. and has ever since been engaged in the practice of his profession at Connersville. Mr. Frost is a Republican and for years has been regarded as one of the leaders of that party in this county. For four years, from September, 1894, to September, 1898, he served as mayor of the city of Connersville and in other ways has given of his ser\ices in the public behalf. Mr. Frost is an extensive landowner, owning a farm of two hundred and fifty acres at the north edge of Cnnners\ille. in Harrison township; a farm of one hundred and ninety-four acres, known as the Reese farm, west of the city, and one of one hundred and ten acres in the black lands of Fairview township. He al.so has charge of se\eral farms for other people. For years Mr. Frost has been a student of the subject of good roads and is one of the most earnest advocates of the, good-roads UK^vement in Indiana. He believes in takingcare of the rural districts by a .system of good roads all o\'er the country and has for years advocated the subject that is close to his heart and will continue to flo so until the objects of the widespread good-roads movement in this country ha\-e been accomplished.

On June 11, 1882, Hyatt L. Frost was united in marriage to Dora A. Berkheiser, who was born in Waterloo township, this county, September 14, i860, daughter of "George .A. and Miriam (Skinner) Berkheiser, earl}' settlers of Fayette county, the former of whom died in Xo\ember, 1894, at the age of fifly-si.x years, and the latter of whom is still living. George -A, Berkheiser and wife were the parents of two children, Mrs. Frost having a brotlier, William Herkheiser. Huth the Herklieisers and the Skinners are old families in Fayette and Wayne counties, Mrs. Frost's grandparents on both sides having- come here in an early day, and numeroits representatixes of these two families are found in this part of the state. George .\. Herkheiser was the son of George and Flizahetli Herkheiser, who were \vell known among the old settlers of F'ayette county and who reared a considerable family. Mr. and Mrs. I'rost have one child, a daughter. Jessie M., who married Charles 1'. Murphy, of Connersville, and has a son. William F. Mrs. Frost is a member of the Kpiscopal church and Mr. b'rosl is a member of W^arren Lodge Xo. 15, b'ree and .\ccepted Masons, at Connersville. in the affairs of which lodge he takes a warm interest.

J. H. F'earis, veteran insurance agent at Connersxille and former postmaster of that city, was born in Connersville and has lived there all his life with the e.xception of a brief period during the eighties when he was engaged in business at Minneapolis. He was born on January i, 1848. son and only child of George L. and Margaret X. (Huston) F.earis, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Pennsylvania, who were for years accounted among the leading residents of Connersxille.

George L. Fearis was bom in Lewis county, Kentucky, in 1807, and there grew to manhood. He early learned the saddle-making trade and when twenty-one years of age came up into Indiana and located at Connersville, where he engaged in the saddlery business and where he was thus engaged for a period of forty-two years. L'pon his arrival at Connersville, he having come up the valley on horseback, he began working- as a saddler in the employ of his uncle, Joseph Xelson, and presently engaged in business for himself, in partnership with a Mr. Hull, under the firm name of Fearis & Hull. After awhile he bought his partner's interest in the business and conducted the same alone until his retirement from business in 187 1, his saddlery establishment having been located at the corner of I'ourth street and Central avenue.

It was after coming tf) this county that George L. Fearis married Margaret X. Huston, who was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 1810, of Revolutionary stock, her grandfather, Capt. William Huston, having been the commander of the Second Battalion, Cumberland Countv As.sociators.

September, 1776; captain, July 31. 1777, of the Sixth Gompany, Sixth Battalion, Cumlierland County IVlilitia, in actual service; captain of the Sixth Battalion, January, 177S, and captain of the Fifth Company, Fourth Battalion, August, 1780. Captain Huston was born in 1755 and died in 1823. George 1.. Fearis and his wife were active in all good works in and about Connersville during their generation. They were members of the Presbyterian cliurch and he for years served as a member of the session of that congregation. His wife died in 1876 and he survived for more than twenty years, liis death occurring in T898, he then having reached the age of more than eighty years.

Reared at Gonners\-ille, J. H. Fearis received iiis elementary schooling in tlie schools of that city, later attending- Hanover College and after a course in that institution entering Miami 17ni\-ersit}', completing his college course in 1866, after which he for some time was engaged as a clerk in mercantile establishments at Connersville. In 1876 he engaged in the fire-insurance business in a partnership, under the firm name of Fearis & Barrows, and after eleven years of such connection sold his interests at Connersville to Mount & Roots, of the First National Bank, and moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he engaged in the insurance business. On account of his wife's health, Mr. Fearis presently returned to Connersville and during- the administration of President Flarrison was appointed postmaster of that city, a position in which he served for about five years, during which incumljency,' December i, 1890, free mail delivery was established at Connersville. In the meantime Mr. Fearis had been making considerable real-estate investments and upon retii'ing from the postoffice gave his attention to his land interests and also resumed liis general insurance business, in which line he ever since has continued and in which he has been quite successful. Early in the days of the de\e!opment of the tele])bone business Mr. Fearis established a telephone system in Connersville, the ])lant wliich he organized having been the one hundred and eiglith such plant started in the L^nited States, and got it going jn fine shape, when, tvvci years later, the Central Union Telephone Conipany began picking up small local telephone plants and Mr. Fearis sold his plant to that company. In other ways Mr. Fearis has ever had the interests of his home town at heart and has for years been recognized as one of the active factors in the development of the cit}- along general lines. He is a Republican, but has not been a seeker after local office, his service as postmaster having Ijeen the only official ]niblic service he has rendered.

The late Michael C Buckley, for many years one of Conners\ ille's most energetic and enter])rising citizens, \o^^ \ears acti\el\' connected with the grocery trade in that city and then for years the proprietor of the Buckley House, formerly one of the best-known hostelries in eastern Indiana, was a native of the Emerald Isle, but had been a resident of this country since the da}s of his Ijoyhood. He was born in County Cork, Ireland. March jo, 1840, son of Dennis and I'llizabeth ( Dorgan ) Bucklew also natixcs of Ireland, who came to the United States with their family in the sjjring of iS5_> and located in Hamilton county. Ohio.

Michael C. Buckley was about tuehe years of age when he came to America with his parents and his youth was spent in Hamilton county, (Jhio, where he completed his scho(jling and where he grew to manhood, remaining there until he was past twenty-one years of age, when, in the spring of 1862, he came to Indiana and located at Connersville, where he spent the remainder of his life. Xot long after his arrival at Connersville Mr. Buckley secured employment as a clerk in the (iroff grocery store and was thus engaged for six-years, or until a year after his marriage, when, in iSdS, he engaged in the grocery business in that city on his own account. A year later he formed a partnership with j. W . Ross, the firm continuing in the grocery business for two years, at the end of which time Mr. Buckley bought his partner's interest in the concern and continued it alone until iSS_:^. when he retired from that line and in August of that \ear assumed the management of the Buckley House, a hostelry famous in its day. which he owned and which he continued to conduct with much success until his retirement from business in igoo, renting the house ;it that time to others. The old Buckley House was maintained as a hotel, under xarious managements, for some years afterw^ard and was then con\erted into an apartment house, which purpose it is still serving, standing at the northeast corner of F'ifth street and Eastern avenue. For years also Mr. Buckley had been extensi\elv interested in real-estate transacti<ins in and about Connersville and when he retired was accounted one of the well-to-do men of that city. He also gave his close attention to local civic affairs and for some years served as a member of the city council and for two or three terms as a member of the city school board. Michael C. Buckley died at his home in Connersville on September 8, 1915. and his widow is still living in that city, having a very pleasant home at 509 Eastern avenue, where she is quite comfortably situated.

It was on May 23, 1867. at Connersville, that Michael C. Buckley was united in marriage to Susan Mullikin, who was born in that city, a daughter of Josiah and Ellen (Morrison) Mullikin, natives of Maryland, whose last days were spent in Conners^'ille, useful and influential residents of that city. Josiah Mullikin was born iii the village of Trappe, Talbot county, Maryland, September ly, 1807, and when a boy moved with his parents to Baltimore, wliere he learned the trade of shoemaker and where he grew to manhood. On Mav 6, 1830, in that city, he married Ellen Morrison and in the next year came to Indiana, locating in Fayette county. He and his wife's mother both entered land on Orange township, paying for the same one dollar and twenty -five cents an acre, and there the family lived for ten years, pioneers in a new country, Josiah Mullikin then left tiie farm and moved to Connersville, where he resumed his trade as a shoemaker, but later became one of the builders of the old foundr_\- on Eastern avenue, near the tracks of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton railroad, and in other ways became actively identified with the growth and development of the city. Mr. Mullikin was an energetic, straightforward citizen and exerted a large influence for good in the town in an earlier day, serving Connersxilie when it was a village and later when it was incorporated as a city in various public capacities, among these being assessor, a member of the school board, street commissioner, member of the village board of trustees, chief of the fire department and as a memlier (if the city council. When the river began eating away the graveyard at the east end of Tiiird street Mr. Mullikin tried earnestly but vainly to interest the town board in a movement toward erecting a protecting wall for the purpose of saving tlie graves of the forefathers of the village from destruction. Josiah Mullikin died on November 14, 1884, and his widow survived him more than ten years, her death occurring in 1895.

To Michael C. and Susan (Mullikin) Buckley, four children were born, namely.: Mabel E., wife of Dr. H. M, Zeln-ung, a dentist, of Connersville; Frank Buckley, assistant secretary and treasurer of the .Ousted Spring and Axle Company and also interested in various other business and industrial enterprises in Connersville, for the past twenty years connected with the Ansted Company, attended DePauw University for three years and in 1906 married Grace Forte, of I""ortville. this state; Stella Marie, who married Samuel Davis and has one child, a son, Robert Buckley, and Jessie, born on September 21, 1876, who died on June 19, 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Davis make their home with the latier's mother on Eastern avenue.

Frederick Schofxhoetz

The late b'rederick Schoenholtz, for years a well-known baker at Ci>nners\ille and who alM> served that city as a member of the common council, was a natixe of (iermany, l)ut had been a resident of this country since the days oi his young manhood. He was born on Xovember 14. 1848, and receixed his schooling in his native land. As a young man he left German}- and came to the United States, locating at Cincinnati, where he became engaged as a baker, a short time afterward coming on up into Indiana and locating at Connersville, where for a number of years he worked in a local bakery and then bought a bakery and was engaged in that business the rest of his life, his popular establishment haxing been located where now the ^Mettles bakery is doing business.

Frederick Schoenholtz was a good citizen and a substantial business man and at his death on X^ovember 21, 1897, was mourned by many friends. Mr. Schoenholtz was a stanch Republican and e\er took a good citizen's interest in local civic affairs, having for some years represented his ward in the city council, in which capacity he ever exerted his influence in behalf of the city's best interests. He was an earnest member of the German Presbyterian church and for some years ser\ed as a member of the board of trustees of the local congregation. Fraternally, he was affiliated with the local lodges of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Ivnights of Px'thias and took a warm interest in the afifairs of those popidar organizations.

Mr. Schoenholtz was twice married. His first wife, Josephine h'ridgen, died, leaving three daughters, Mrs. Charles Glore. Mrs. .\. J. Henry and Mayme Schoenholtz, and he then married Catherine Billau, a daughter of Valentine and Henrietta (Filers) Billau. and to that union two children were born, sons both. Carl and Frank Schoenholtz. Mrs. Catherine Schoenholtz was bom at Connersville and has lived there all her life. Her parents, who were natives of Germany, came to this country in the days of their youth with their respective parents, both the Billau and the Filers fanulies locating at Cincinnati, where Valentine Billau and Henrietta Filers were married.

Valentine Billau was a brewer, a business he followed at Cincinnati for some time, later moving to Connersville. where he followed the same business for a number of years. He and his wife were the parents of ten children, of whom five are still living, those besides Mrs. Schoenholtz being Mrs. H. Pfafflin, Mrs. Elsie Schweikle, Mrs. Emma Ready and Otto Billau. ^Irs. Schoenholtz is a member of the German Presbyterian church and has ever taken a warm interest in the \arious beneficences of the same, as well as in all local good works.

Glen Zell

Glen Zell, auditor of Fa3'ette county and one of the most popular officials in the court house, was for nearl}- twenty years superintendent of the plant of the Connersville Buggy Company and in that capacity was long one of the best-known figures in the industrial life of Connersville. He was born on a farm in Huntington county, this state, September 14, 1875, a son of John Zell and wife, the former of whom was a blacksmith, who followed that \-ocation most of his life, for man\- years a resident of Milton, over the line in W'ayne county, but in his latter years mo\-ing to Huntington county, where he spent his last days.

I'pon completing the course in the district schools Glen Zell entered the normal school at Marion, this state, and was graduated from that institution. He then took a su])plementary course in the Indiana State Normal School at Terre Haute and was thereafter engaged in the grocery business for two or three years, at tlie end of which time, in 1SQ7, he located at Connersville, Avhere he became employed in the factory of the Connersville Buggy Compau}- and presently was advanced to the position of superintendent of the plant, a position he occupied until he resigned to take up the duties of auditor of Fayette county. Mr. Zell is an ardent Republican and in November, 1914, as the nominee of that party, was elected county auditor. He entered upon the duties of his official position on January i, 1Q16, and is now serving the public in that important capacity.

On November 25, 1903, Glen Zell was united in marriage to Tina McCready, daughter of Miller McCready and wife, and to this union tw-o children ha\'e been born, Robert and Russell. Mr. Zell is a member of the Masonic fraternity and has also given his active attention to a number of other fraternal societies. He is past noble grand of the local lodge of the Indejiendent Order of Odd bellows, jjast chief patriarch of the encampment oi that order and wa.s for two years di.strict deputy of tlie order, wliile botli he and his wife are nieniber.s of tlie local lodge of the Daughters of Rebekah. Mr. Zell also is a past chancellor of the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias, is a director of the local lodge of the Loyal Order of Motise. a trustee of the local lodge of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and a member of the local tribe of the Improved Order of Red Men. in the affairs of all of which urganizations he takes a warm interest.

William J. Cain, recorder of i'ayette county and a resident of the cit\' of Connersville for the jjast thirty-six years, was horn at Brookville. in the neighboring county of h'ranklin. Jul\- c), 1^47. a son of Jonathan and Sarah (W'einens) Cain, the former of whom was horn in tlie state of llelaware and the latter in Ohio.

Jonathan Cain was born near the cit\- of Dover. Delaware, and was Init a child \vhen his ])arents came to Indiana, tiie family drixing through and locating iti I'rmiklin county. 'I'here he grew to manhoixl and was married to Sarah W'einens. who was i>orn at i'i(|ua, ( )hio. Jonalhaii Cain was trained as a i>ai)er maker and continued thus engaged in the ])aper mill at Rrookxille until aliout the _\-ear iSj^:;. when he mo\-ed up into I'avette count\- and was here engaged in farming until i8S_^. when he moved to Tipton county and was there engaged in farming until about iSo,^, when he retired and si)ent the rest of his life in the homes of his children in this county.

Reared at lirookville. William J. Cain receixed his early schooling in the schools of that city and sup])lemented the same h\- a course in the old Brookville College. Me early learned the tinner's trade and f<illowed that trade at Brookville until 18S1. in which year he moved to Connersville and established a tin shop of his own in that cit}'. soon ha\-ing a thriving business in that line. Mr. Cain continued engaged in business at Connersville until his election, in 1910, to the ot^ce of recorder of Fayette countv, when he S(jld his business. Mr. Cain entered upon the duties of his office in 1912 and so satisfactorily did he conduct the same that he was re-elected to the office of county recorder in ifM4 and is now ser\ing his .second term in that important office. Mr. Cain is a Rei)ublican and has for years been regarded as one of the leaders of that party in this county.

a daughter of William Lindsay, and to this union three children have been born. George, Lindsay and Thomas, the latter of whom died in 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Cain are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Cain is a charter member of the Connersville lodge of the Improved Order of Red Alen and takes a warm interest in the affairs of that organization.

Capt. Thomas Downs

In the memorial annals of Fayette county there are few names held in better memory than that of the late Capt. Thomas Downs, an honored veteran of the Civil War, former assistant quartermaster, United States Army, and for some }'ears prior to his death in 191 1 connected with the interior department of the United States government as special Indian agent and later as Indian commissioner, in which latter service he incurred the illness which resulted in his death. Captain Downs was a native Hoosier, a fact of which he ever was proud. He was born at Lawrenceburg. this state. March 31, 1845. and with the exception of the time spent in the government service remained a resident of this state all his life. His parents. Hezekiah and Ruth Ann (Chase) Downs, were natives, respectivly, of Kentucky and of Ohio and he was one of nine children torn to that parentage. Hezekiah Downs was born in Fleming county, Kentucky. March 6. 18 19, and died at his home in Connersville on April 12, 1883. His widow, who was born at Marietta, Ohio, April 3, 181 3, survived him a little less than two years, her death occurring on March 15, 1885.

Thomas Downs was but a boy when his parents moved from Lawrencehurg to Madison county, this state. Though his opportunities for schooling in the latter environment were very limited, by diligent effort he acquired a fair education and the mold in which he was cast and the training of a pious mother influenced him toward right living, honesty and integrity of purpose. Though he was but sixteen years of age when the sable cloud of the Civil War overcast the homes of this beautiful land. Thomas Downs answered his countr3'*s call and joined the "boys in blue," enlisting as a private in Company K, Fifty-fourth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he went to the front and was later transferred to Company K, Sixteenth Indiana. While serving with that command his health became greatly broken and he was furloughed home on sick leave, returning to ConnersA-ille. to which place his parents meantime had removed, and there he suffered a long and sexere illness of typhoid fever. Before he iiad entirely recovered from this illness this plucky soldier boy returned to his regiment and presently was transferred to Company K, Thirteenth Indiana Cavalry, and with that command served until the close of the war, being mustered out with the rank of corporal on October 22, 1865. During this service Captain Downs participated in many important engagements and battles, including the siege and taking of Vicksburg, Arkansas Post and the Red River expedition.

Upon the completion of his military service, Captain Downs returned to Connersville and there entered upon the pursuits of peace as a carpenter. In the fall of the next year he married and settled down in Connersville, which he ever afterward regarded as his home, although in the later years of his life he was much absent on government business. Captain Downs' business career was an active one and in it, as well as in his social life, the fine character of the man stood out, exhibiting a singular sincerity, promptness, directness and firmness. From 1870 until 1898 he was connected with various firms engaged in general contracting and building and in 1884 he became the senior partner in the firm of Downs, Ready & Company, R. G. Waite, his former partner and life friend, being the other member of the firm. The reputation of this company became state-wide through its connection with the construction of important buildings in various parts of the state, as well as at Connersville, the seat of its operations. Among these buildings may be mentioned the AIcFarlan building, the Catholic church, the Methodist church, the Fifth street school building, the Eighth street school building, the National Bank building and the remodeling of the court house as it now stands, besides a number of fine residences at Connersville; the erection of a Catholic church at Rushville, a Catholic church at Greensburg, a business block for I'". T. Roots at Muncie, additions to Oxford College buildings and the new building for the National Soldiers' Home at Marion.

From 1887 to 1889 Captain Downs served as a member of the Connersville city council and was a member of the city school board from 1890 to 1899. He was a director in the Fayette Savings and Loan Association and a stockholder in the Fayette National Bank. He was a member of the First Methodist Episcopal church, an active meml^er of the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic, a Royal Arch Mason and a member of Otonka Tribe No. 94, Improved Order of Red Men, in the afifairs of all of which organizations he took a warm interest. Captain Downs was an ardent Republican and ever took an acti\e interest in political affairs, both at home (44) and throughout the state, and was long regarded as one of the prominent figures in his party in this section. His pubHc service met with high approval and commendation, his acts in his various official capacities ever being animated by a liigh sense of duty and loyalty. The interest which Captain Downs manifested in the various lines of work in which he was engaged, and which characterized his whole life, was a great source of power and perhaps in later years led him to efforts far beyond his strength.

In July, 1898, during the progress of the Spanish-American War, Captain Downs received a commission from the federal government to act as assistant quartermaster, with rank of captain, and for a year he was stationed at Jefferson Barracks, near St Louis, where he chiefly was engaged in fitting out regiments en route for the Philippines and Cuba. He later was stationed at Cincinnati for a time and then spent two years at Ft. Stevens, Oregon, where he superintended the erection of an army barracks. On February 4, 1903, Captain Downs accepted another federal commission and for nearly seven years thereafter served as a special Indian agent. This latter service called the Captain to nearly every state west of the Mississippi, his duties having to do with the establishment of Indian schools, the settlement of difficulties among the Indians and the enumeration and enrollment of the various tribes. Captain Downs served in this capacity until in September, 1909, when, as a reward for efficient service, he received the appointment as Indian commissioner, the duty assigned with that appointment being that of enrolling the Winnebago tribe of Indians, which service he completed in about three months. The roll of the Winnebagos carried nearly fifteen hundred names and Captain Downs reported with the same at Washington, D. C, January 6, 19 10. On January 20 of that same year he was ordered to Muskogee, Oklahoma, to inspect the schools of the Five Civihzed Tribes, and was ready to take charge of the schools at Anadarko, when he was attacked by a serious disorder of the liver, which was destined to end his busy career. Captain Downs, upon being thus stricken, returned to his home at Connersville and after a year of illness passed away there on Friday morning, January 20, 191 1.

Among the Indians, for whom he gave his best thought and judgment during the later years of his life. Captain Downs built for himself a monument of friendship, his invariable sympathy, kindness and courtesy in behalf of the wards of the nation winning for him their sincere regard and affection. Captain Downs's service as a soldier during the dark hours of the nation's trial in the sixties was ever a source of satisfaction and pride to him and he always enjoyed the friendship and the greetings of his comrades of those stirring years. On one notable occasion the flag which he loved, honored and followed, came to his rescue at a time when his life was in extreme danger. That was during the uprising of the Utes at Thunder Butte, Cheyenne Agency, South Dakota, in November, 1907, when Captain Downs was at the mercy of the turbulent redskins for three days and nights, with but one companion, all others at the agency save his clerk having fled for safety. The Indians were insolent and sullen and threatened to shoot the whites and burn the agency buildings. Captain Downs and his clerk were far out on the reservation, ninety miles from the agency, and the nearest telephone station was fifty miles away Afterward, in speaking of his eventual rescue, Captain Downs said that when he heard the tread of the rescuing party of troops and saw the old flag advancing at the head of the column, "Old Glory" appeared to him with a new aspect, if [xissible; it ne\er had looked so good to him before - for it brought protection and safety.

Captain Downs's widow is still hving at Connersville, where she has a very pleasant home and where she is very comfortably situated. It was on November 20, 1866, that Captain Downs, then not very long returned from his service in the army, was united in marriage, at Connersville, to Mary Jane Esman, who was born in that city on June 2, 1849, daughter of Jacob and Saloma (Honhart) Esman, who became residents of Connersville during the early forties. Jacob Esman was born in Ermite, Alsace, then a German province, March 19, 1809, and was there trained to the trade of millwright. He served in the army of Louis Philippe and later came to the United States and at Warren, Pennsylvania, married Saloma Honhart, who was born in Arglesheim, Bavaria, Germany, December 16, 18 16, and who had come to the United States with her brother in 1838, settling at Warren," Pennsylvania, where, three years later, she married Mr. Esman. Following their marriage Jacob Esman and wife came to Indiana, voyaging down the Ohio river by flatboat to Cincinnati and proceeding thence by wagon to Conner.sville, where they established their home and where they spent the remainder of their lives, honored and useful pioneer citizens. Jacob Esman became a citizen of the United States in 1844, his naturalization papers being issued by Amos Edwards, then clerk of Fayette county. He died at his home in Connersville on July i, 1861; and his widow survived him for more than thirty-three years, her death occurring in Connersville on September 13, 1894.

To Thomas and Mary Jane ( Esman) Downs five children were born, namely: Florence, wife of Martin Reifel, of Connersville; Susan Jane, wife of Charles A. Rieman. of Connersville; Augu.sta Ann, wife of Jesse

B. Rhoads, also of that city; William Francis, who died at Connersville, October 30, 1888, and Dr. George Downs, of Spokane, Washington, who married Marie Seiling. Mrs. Downs has six grandchildren, namely : Gladys Rieman, wife of Robert C. Hamilton; Mildred Salome, wife of George M. Lennard; Mary Jane Rieman, Jane Augusta Reifel, Helen Downs Reifel and Thomas Downs.

Benjamin Walter Cole

Benjamin Walter Cole, former treasurer of Fayette county and present assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Connersville, is a native son of this county and has lived here practically all his life. He was born on a pioneer farm in Waterloo township, near the old village of Waterloo, May 24, 1872, son of Joseph and Margaret (Thomas) Cole, for many years prominent and influential residents of the northeastern part of the county, who later moved to Connersville. where the former .<pent his last days and where the latter is now living.

Joseph Cole was born in the neighboring county of Wayne, a son of Joseph Jared and Patience (Foster) Cole, natives of Maryland, who moved from Wayne county to this county, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Joseph J. Cole at one time owned about one thousand acres of land, but lost the greater part of his fortune in the pork-packing business. He and his wife were the parents of six children, Mrs. Ann Farrey, Mrs. Frances Harlan, Alfred, Mrs. Sarah Burris, Joseph and Mrs. Sophia Jones. Joseph Cole grew to manhood in this county and married Margaret Thomas, who was born in this county, daughter of Benjamin Thomas and wife, who came here from Maine in pioneer days and reared a large family, their children having- been Mrs. Jane Carson, Mrs. Sallie Coss, Mrs. Margaret Cole, Samuel, Austin, Oliver, Walter, Scott and Mrs. Catherine Drischel. Joseph Cole became a substantial farmer in Waterloo township, the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and fifty-seven acres there, where he lived until 1906, when he retired from the farm and moved to Connersville, where he spent the rest (if his life, his death occurring on June 16, 19 14, he then being seventy years and ten months of age. His widow still survives him and is making her home in Connersville, where she is very pleasantly situated. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and has ever taken a warm interest in church work. Joseph Cole was for years actively identified with the county's political affairs and was for six years trustee of Waterloo township. He and his wife were the parents of five children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the last-born, the others being as follow : Harry, who died in infancy; Maude, who married Ellis Filby, of Cambridge City, this state; Effie, wife of Reece D. Eby, of Connersville, and Joseph J. Cole, president of the Cole Motor Car Company, of Indianapolis.

Benjamin W. Cole was reared on the paternal farm in Waterloo township and received his elementary schooling in the district schools in the neighborhood of his home, supplementing the same by a course in the business college at Richmond, from which he was graduated in 1901. He then was engaged on the farm for a couple of years, at the end of which time he became a traveling salesman and was thus engaged for one year, after which he became an agent for the Parry Manufacturing Company and was for five years engaged in the buggy business, at the end of which time he went to St. Louis and there spent a year, later spending some months at Chicago and at Cincinnati, after which he resumed the buggy business and was thus engaged at Connersville for two years, at the end of which time he returned to the farm and was there engaged in farming for seven years, or until his election to the office of treasurer of Fayette county in November, 1914. Mr. Cole entered upon the duties of his office on January i, 1915, and served the pubhc in that important capacity until January i, 191 7. As an instance of Mr. Cole's popularity among the voters of Fayette county, it may be stated that he is the only Democrat elected to the office of county treasurer in this county for the past five years. He has for years taken an active interest in local }X)litical affairs and has long been regarded as one of the leaders of the Democratic party in this county. Upon the expiration of his term of public office Mr. Cole was elected assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Connersville and is now serving in that responsible capacity.

On March 14, 1907, Benjamin W. Cole was united in marriage to Elizabeth Sparks, who was born on a farm one and one-half miles southeast of Connersville, in this county, in 1879, daughter of Milton T. and Minnie (Campbell) Sparks, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Ohio, who were the parents of five children, those besides Mrs. Cole, the second in order of birth, being William E., Mrs. Pearl Williams, Mrs. Charity Rudd and Webster Sparks. Mrs. Cole is a member of the Christian church and Mr. Cole is a Mason, a member of Warren Lodge No. 15, Free and Accepted Masons, and a member of Connersville Lodge No. 379, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and of Aerie No. 1065, Fraternal Order of Eagles, in the affairs of all of which organizations he takes a warm and active interest. Mr. and Mrs. Cole have a very pleasant home at Connersville and take a proper part in the city's general social activities.

Miss Isabel Bonbrake Cressler

Miss Isabel Bonbrake Cressler, one of the founders and owners of the Elmhurst School for Girls at Connersville, is descended, on the paternal side, from nobility of the Rhine country, and, on the maternal side, from English and Welsh pioneers prominently identified with the early colonization of Pennsylvania. She was born at Chambersburg. Pennsylvania, a daughter of Charles H. and Elizabeth Sager (Jones) Cressler, and grew to womanhood there.

Miss Cressler attended the public schools of Chambersburg; and later was a student at Wilson College, one of the pioneer institutions for the higher education of women, and located in Chambersburg. After finishing her studies at Wilson Miss Cressler entered the Chicago Art Institute, and after a year of study there returned to Chambersburg and there opened and conducted, as owner, a Latin school for boys and girls, and was thus engaged for six years, at the end of which time she was called to Wilson College and for two years was a member of the faculty of that institution. Miss Cressler then went to Europe and for four years was associated in ownership and management with the Roman School for American Girls at Rome, Italy, a private school for American girls who had come from the finishing schools of the United States, the course in the same including seven months of schooling and fixe months of European travel each year - a delightful work and one recjuiring great self-reliance on the part of the preceptress.

While thus engaged in Rome Miss Cressler, who was planning to return eventually to America and develop a certain type of high-grade rural private school which should express the best in American life, heard first of the Elmhurst property; and without any plan of remaining, arrived in Connersville, in July, 1909, accompanied by Miss Sumner, and with no other luggage than suit cases, to look over the estate. Miss Cressler was so charmed and delighted with the situation and so filled with enthusiasm over the prospect that was there opened for establishing and developing a country school for American girls that she straightway decided to remain. She dispatched at once for her trunks and her three servants in Italy and for two years did not leave Connersville ; nor has she ever had occasion to regret her choice, for as one of the founders and owners of Elmhurst she has been privileged to see the slow but sure development of ideas and plans fostered during her years of residence and study in Europe.

Miss Cressler is a member of the Episcopal church. She also is a member of the College Art Association and of the Alumnae Association of Wilson College, and is interested in the ec|ual-suffrage work of Indiana.

P.. R. Smith. M. D.

Dr. B. R. Smith, a well-known practicing ])hysician at Connersville, is a native Hoosier and has lived in this state the greater part of his life. He was born at Milroy. in the neighboring county of Rush, February i. 1879, a son of S. I\. and Catherine 'Richey) Smith, both of whom were born in that same county. S. R. Smitli was a machinist and followed that vocation all his life. He and his wife were the parents of two sons, the subject of this sketch having a brother, the Rev. William F. Smith. D. D., who was formerly pastor of the Methodist Episcoi)al church at Connersville.

Reared at Milroy, B. R. Smith received his elementary schooling in the schools of that place and was graduated from the high school there in 1896. He then entered Moores Hill College and was graduated from that institution, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, in 1900. Thus equipped by preliminary study he entered the Medical College of the University of Kentucky at Louisville and was graduated from the same in 1903, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Upon receiving his degre^ Doctor Smith was appointed an interne at the hospital of bis alma mater and after a year's valuable experience in practice there opened an office for the practice of his profession at Clay City, Kentucky, where he remained in practice for seven years, or until 1910, when he returned to Indiana and opened an office at Connersville, where he ever since has been engaged in practice and where he has done very well, having built up an extensive practice in the city and surrounding country. Doctor Smith keeps fully abreast of the modern advances in his profession and is a member of the Fayette County Medical Society and of the Indiana State Medical Association, in the deliberations of both of which bodies he takes a warm interest.

In 1907 Doctor Smith was united in marriage to Laura Askin. daughter of the late Thomas Askin and wife, the latter now also deceased, and to this union four children have been born, three of whom are living, B. R., Jr.. Charles Thomas and Charlotte Catherine. Doctor and Mrs. Smith are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. The Doctor is a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias.

During his day and generation in Connersville there were few men better known or held in higher regard hereabout than was the late Dr. Vincent Hamilton Gregg, who began the practice of his profession at Glenwood in 1855 and three years later located at Connersville, where he spent the remainder of his life, an earnest, conscientious, painstaking physician, his good work in that community being continued until the time of his death in 1895. During the Civil War Doctor Gregg held a commission from Governor Morton as an army surgeon and in that important capacity rendered a beneficent and humane service in behalf of the wounded and suffering soldiers who were placed under his benign care. In that service he was greatly aided by his faithful wife, who was at his side much of the time during that trying period and who is still living at Connersville, honored by the entire community.

Dr. Vincent H. Gregg was a Kentuckian, born in Bracken county, that state, in 1824, a son of Joseph M. Gregg and wife, the latter of whom was a Hamilton. Joseph M. Gregg was the proprietor of an extensive plantation in that county and a slaveholder. He died in that county and after his death his widow disposed of her interests in Kentucky and came up into Indiana, locating in Rush county, where she spent the remainder of her life. Of the children born to Joseph M. Gregg and wife all have long since been dead. Of these children Doctor Gregg was the first-born and was the last survivor. He was twenty-two years of age when he came to Indiana with his mother and as the eldest child of his Avidowed mother was a great stay and comfort to her. Some time after coming to Indiana he determined upon a career as a physician and after a course of study in preparation for such a career began practice, in 1855, with Doctor Taylor at Glenwood. Three years later, in 1858, he moved to Connersville, where he opened an office for the practice of his profession and where he ever afterward made his home. Doctor Gregg was living at Connersville when the Civil War broke out and by that time had attained a wide reputation throughout this part of the state as a careful and prudent physician and a skilled surgeon. In 1862 Governor Morton tendered him a commission as an army surgeon and he served in that capacity until the close of the war, his service in field and in hospital enshrining his memory in the hearts of many a poor soldier boy who came under his gentle ministrations. In this service, as noted alx)ve, the good Doctor's gentle wife rendered him aid of a particularly valuable character and she, too, is remembered with gratitude by many of the veterans of that stern conflict between the states during the sixties. Upon the completion of his army service Doctor Gregg returned to Connersville and there resumed his practice. Not long afterward he formed a partnership with Doctor Rolls in the drug business and was thus engaged for years, conducting the drug store in addition to his general medical practice. Doctor Gregg was a most liberal and public-spirited citizen and did much to promote the interests of his home city in a material as well as in a religious, social and civic way. An ardent Republican, he ever gave his earnest attention to the jxilitical affairs of Fayette county and of the city of Connersville and was recognized as a power for good in local jjolitics. He was a member of the Christian church, as is his widow, and was ever a leader in local good works. .\s an active member of the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Doctor ever took an earnest part in the affairs of that patriotic organization and for years was a familiar figure at local reunions of the veterans of the war and at the state encampments of the Grand Army of the Republic. Doctor Gregg passed from the scenes of earth on September 12, 1895, he then being in the seventy-second year of his age, and he was given burial as befit a veteran of his country's wars and a good citizen of the community in whose behalf he had so long and so earnestly labored.

Dr. Vincent H. Gregg was united in marriage, in this count)-, to .\merica Justice, who was born in Fayette count)-, daughter of Joseph and Delilah (Fuell) Justice, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter r.f Virginia. Joseph Justice grew to manhood in his native Pennsylvania and later went to Kentucky, where he married Delilah Fuell, who had moved to that state with her parents, of French stock, from ^''irginia. Xot long after his marriage Joseph Justice came u]) into Indiana and .settled on a farm in this county, near Orange, where he presently opened a general store. early becoming one of the best-known men in that part of the countv. as he was one of the most successful anrl influential. He and his wife were members of the Christian church and their children were reared in that faith. There were six of these children, of whom Mrs. Gregg, the youngest, is now the only survivor. Joseph Justice died on his farm near Orange and his widow spent her last days in the household of Doctor and Mrs. Gregg at Connersville. Joseph Justice was a son of James Justice, a soldier of the patriot army during the Revolutionary War, who served with General Washington's army during all the long struggle of the colonies for independence. He was one of five brothers who served in that struggle from Pennsylvania and was the only one of the five who survived the struggle. James Justice lived to be one hundred and one years of age and his last days were spent in the home of his son, John Justice, in this county, where he is buried. He was a fine, large man of powerful physique, weighing more than two hundred pounds, and his four brothers, who fought for the independence of the colonies at his side, were men of equal might. Mrs. Gregg, who is still living at Connersville, is a member of the Christian church and her life has ever been devoted to good works.

William Hendrickson

^^'^lliam Hendrickson, sheriff of Fayette county and one of the bestknown men in the county, is a native son of this county and has lived here all liis life. He was born in the city of Connersville on March 6, 1876, son of James Brookfield and Rebecca Ann (Hutchinson) Hendrickson, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Ohio, whose last days were spent in Connersville, which was their home for many years.

James Brookfield Hendrickson was born on a pioneer farm in the neighboring county of Franklin, one of the eight children l)orn to his parents, John and Rachel (Goble) Hendrickson, the former of whom was a native of the state of New Jersey and the latter of Indiana. James B. Hendrickson was trained to the trade of a saddler and was working at that trade in Ripley county when the Civil War broke out. He enlisted as a member of Company H, Eight}'-second Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, was elected color bearer of that command and served for three years and six months. During his long service Mr. Hendrickson saw much active service and was engaged in some of the most e.xciting engagements of the war, but never received a bullet wound, though he was badly injured on several occasions, particularly so at the battle of Resaca. L'pon the conclusion of his military service James B. Hendrickson located at Laurel and was there engaged in the tanning business until that industry became vmprofitalile, after which he moved to Connersville, along in the middle seventies, and there engaged in carriage- painting-, a vocation lie followed the rest of his life. He died at his home in Connersville on December _'4. 181)5. he then being- sixty-two years of age. His widow survived him for more than ten years, her death occurrii-ig in 1906, she also being- sixty-two years of age at the time of her death. She was born in Ohio, a daughter of Asbury and Mary Hutchinson, who came over from that state into Indiana and became pioneers of Brown county, settling on a farm there and spending the rest of their lives in that county, both living to a ripe old age. Asbury Hutchinson and wife were the parents of six children, those besides Mrs. Hendrickson having been John Aaron Mrs. Mary Johnson. William and Mrs. Klla Gray. James B. Hendrickson and his wife were earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal church and their children were reared in that faith. There were seven of these children, of whom the subject of this biographical sketch was the fourth in order of birth, the others being, Charles, of tiamilton, Ohio; Edward, formerly of Indianapolis, now deceased; Oscar, of Connersville; Geneva, who married Walter Hayward. of Connersville: Ella, who married Harry Backert, of Kokomo. and is now deceased, and Bismark, of Connersville.

William Hendrickson received his schooling in the public schools of Connersville and early turned his attention to the trade of a carriage-trimmer which he followed for twenty-five years, thirteen years of which time he was engaged in the establishment of J. B. McFarlan. From the days of his boyhood he has given his earnest attention to local political afifairs and at the early age of eighteen was made a member of the Fayette county Republican central committee and has ever since held that position, performing an excellent service in behalf of the party in this county. In 1914, as the nominee of the Republican party, Mr. Hendrickson was elected sheriff of Fayette county, the youngest sheriff e\er elected in this county. He entered upon the duties of that office on January i, 191 5. and is now serving in that important public capacity, one of the most popular officials in the court house.

On December 24, 1898, W'illiam Hendrickson was united in n-iarriage to Grace M. Bell, who was born on a farm near Brownsville, in the neighboring county of Union, 'Slay 23, 1876, daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Thomas) Bell, both natives of that same county, the former of whom died in 1881 and the latter of whom is still living. Jacob Bell was a farmer and stock buyer and was a son of John F. and Ann (Carr) Bell, natives of Butler county, Ohio, and pioneers in Union count}', this state, who were the parents of six children, Malinda, James. Alfred. Jacob, Emma and George. Mrs. Margaret Bell's parents were John and Margaret J. (Whitinger) Thon-ias. the former a nati\e of Kentuck\- and the latter of Indiana, who were the par- ents of nine children, Russell, John, Mary Ann, Elijah, James, Henry, Rachel, Milton and Margaret. Jacob Bell and wife were the parents of four children, of whom .Mrs. Hendrickson was the last-born, the others being Carrie, who married Lee Cully, of Brownsville, and John F. Bell and Frank T. Bell. To Mr. and Mrs. Hendrickson one child has been born, a son, Frank Brookfield Hendrickson. The Hendricksons are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and take a proper interest in church work, as well as in the general social activities of their home town.

Dr. J. H. Johnson, homeopath, one of the best-known physicians in Connersville, is a native son of Indiana, born at Dale, in Spencer county, April 6, 1871, a son of Dr. Samuel F. Johnson, an honored veteran of the Civil War, a former legislator and for many years one of the best-known and most influential men in that part of the state.

Dr. Samuel F. Johnson also was a native of this state, born near Boonville, in Warrick county, and received his medical education in the college at Iveokuk, Iowa, from which he was graduated in the late fifties. He began practice at Rocki)ort and was thus engaged there when the Civil War broke out. He went to the front as captain of a company in the Sixty-fifth Regiment, Indiana A'olunteer Infantry, and presently was promoted to the position of major surgeon of the regiment, serving in that capacity with that command until the close of the war. Upon the completion of his military service Doctor Johnson returned to Rockport and continued the practice of his profession the rest of his life. Dr. Samuel F. Johnson was one of the leading Republicans in Spencer county and served that county as county treasurer and was later elected to the state Senate and was afterward returned to the Legislature as a member of the House of Representatives, serving in both branches of the General Assembly with distinction.

Reared at Dale, Dr. J. H. Johnson received his elementary schooling in the schools of that place and supplemented the same by a course in the high school at Rockport, being graduated from the same in 1890. He then attended the Indiana State Normal School at Terre Haute for four years, at the end of which time he entered the Kentucky School of Medicine at Louisville and after an attendance of two years there went to Chicago, where he entered the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College, and was graduated from that institution in 1895. Upon receiving his diploma Doctor Johnson returned to Rockport and there opened an office for the practice of his profession, remaining tliere until his renunal, in 1905 to Connersville, where he e\er since has been successfulh' engagetl in the practice of his profession, having built up an extensive practice in that city and surrounding countr)^ In 1907 Doctor Johnson took a post-graduate course at the Louisville Medical College and has ever kept "abreast of the modern advances in his profession. He is a member of the Indiana State Homeopathic Society and for some time has been serving as supreme medical director of the Puritan Life and Annuity Insurance Company.

In 1905 Dr. J. H. Johnson was united in marriage to Ella Lake, daughter of Wallace D. Lake, a member of tlie well-known Lake family in this county, further and fitting mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume, and to this union two children have been torn, a son, Earl, and a daughter, Margaret.

Simon Doenges

Simon Doenges, postmaster of Connersville and former manager of the Connersville Ice Company, was born at Lawrenceburg, this state, July 14, 1870, and has lived in Indiana all his life. His parents, Simon and Amelia (Kring) Doenges, the latter of whom is still living, were born in Germany, but became residents of this country in the days of their youth, their respective parents having come to the I'nited States and settled at Lawrenceburg, this state.

The elder Simon Doenges was a young man when he came to the United States in 1852. The vessel on which he sailed was wrecked in a storm and the passengers were compelled to take to the boats in midocean. They presently were picked up by another vessel, but were one hundred and fifty-two days in making the passage, on account of storms and contrary winds. The food gave out and starvation was staring tlieni in the face before they finally reached port. Simon Doenges had been trained as a stationary engineer in his native country and long foUowd that line after coming to Indiana. Not long after locating at Lawrenceburg he took a contract for furnishing cordwood to the railway comijany for use in tlie locomotives, that being in tlie days of the old wood-burners, and carried out the contract with considerable profit. For years he worked as a stationary engineer at Lawrenceburg ami then moved to Connersville, where he sjient his last days, his death occurring in 1900, he then l:>eing seventy years of age. His father died in Germany and his mother came to America with her children and spent her last days at Lawrenceburg. Among these children, besides Simon, were Christian Doenges and Mrs. Goebler, of Indianapolis. Simon Doenges's widow is still living in Connersville, being now past eighty-two years of age. Her parents, who came to this country from Germany, also spent their last days in Lawrenceburg. Among their children, besides Mrs. Doenges, was Mrs. Charlotte Lyendecker, of Indianapolis.

The junior Simon Doenges was reared at Lawrenceburg, the city of his birth, and attended school there until he was fourteen years of age, when he began tolearn the cabinet-maker's trade and presently became an expert cabinet maker, following that vocation for about eighteen years. Years ago he began working in the cabinet department of the plant of the Indiana Furniture Company at Connersville and was not long thereafter made foreman of the same, from which ix>sition he was presently promoted to the position of superintendent of the plant, and while serving in this capacity was elected councilman from the first ward of the city of Connersville, being the first Democrat elected to that office in twenty-five years, but one Democrat having served twenty-five years prior to that time. In 1906 Mr. Doenges, in company with others, purchased the plant and ec[uipment of the Connersville Ice Company and in the subsequent reorganization of that company he was elected secretary-treasurer and general manager and was thus actively engaged until his appointment to the office of postmaster of Connersville by President Wilson in 19 14. Upon the arrival of his commission as postmaster Mr. Doenges entered upon the duties of that office and is now serving the public in that important capacity. He still retains his interest in the Connersville Ice Company, however, and is a member of the board of directors of the same. Mr. Doenges is a Democrat and has for years taken an active interest not only in local political affairs, but in the political affairs of the district and state. He is a member of the Indiana Democratic Club and has a wide acquaintance among the leaders of his party throughout the state.

On July II, 1889, Simon Doenges was united in marriage to Sophia Dentlinger, who was born at Batesville, Indiana, daughter of Louis and Margaret. Dentlinger, natives of Germany,- the -former of whom died at his home in Connersville in 19 13 and the latter of whom is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Doenges are members of the Presbyterian church and take a warm interest in church affairs, as well as in the general social activities of their home city. Mr. Doenges is a Mason, affiliated with Warren Lodge No. 15 at Con- nersville, and is likewise a member of the local lodges of the Inde|)e!ideiit Order of Odd Fellows, of the Knights of Pythias, of the Modern Woodmen of America and of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and is connected with the Travelers Protective Association, in the affairs of all of which organizations he takes an active interest. i\Irs. Doenges is one of the ten children horn to her parents and five of whom are still living, those besides herself l)eing Pauline, Louisa, William and Otto Dentlinger.

Dr. A. T. Sweetland (Chiropractic), who lias teen following his profession at Connersville with much success since 1912, was born in the city of Chicago on February 24, 1882, but has been a resident of this state since the days of his childhood. He is a son of Le Roy B. and Anna A. Sweetland. the former of whom was born in Dryden, New York, and the latter at Toronto, Canada.