Fayette County, Indiana - Biographical sketches, 1917 (part 3 of 16)

Le Roy B. Sweetland was reared at Dryden, New York, and there received his schooling. His mother was a school teacher and he early turned his attention to teaching, in time becoming the principal of the schools in his home town, remaining there until he moved to Chicago, where he took employment with the Chicago & Erie Railroad Company and was thus employed there until he was transferred to Huntington, Indiana, where he remained in the employ of the same road the rest of his life, a period of thirty-five years, his death occurring in a railway accident in 1912. His widow is now making her home in Los Angeles, California.

Dr. A. T. Sweetland received an excellent scholastic foundation for the practice of the exacting profession he is following. He was but a child when his parents moved from Chicago to Huntington and he grew to manhood in the latter city. Upon completing the course in the high school there he entered the Palmer School of Chiropractic at Davenport, Iowa, and upon completing the course in that institution received his degree in 1912. Thus admirably equipped for the practice of his profession. Doctor Sweet- .land, located at Ft. Wayne, this state, but after a short time there moved to Connersville, where he opened oflfices in the McFarlan block and where he ever since has been located, having built up an excellent practice.

Doctor Sweetland is one of the most enthusiastic chiropractors ( ki-ropraktor - from the Latin, meaning to work by the hands) in the country.

having been led to take up this form of the healing art by reason of a most remarkable experience. For twenty years the Doctor was totally blind in his right eye. He received treatment by some of the most noted eye specialists in the country, expending for such service no less than five thousand dollars, without securing a particle of relief, and finally accepted the declaration of the specialists that his was a hopeless case. The blindness presently extended to the other ej-e and for eight months he was totally blind. His attention then being called to the remarkable instances of cure being effected by chiropractic, he began taking a course of adjustments under the direction of a skilled chiropractor and before two years the sight of his eyes was restored, nor has he had a recurrence of tlie trouble that so long blighted his life and his prospects. Tlie Doctor's studies in chiropractic were directed by Dr. D. D. Palmer, the founder of chiropractic, at the latter's school in Davenport, and in view of the amazing effects of the treatment in his own personal case, he naturally is an ardent and devoted advocate of this school of drugless healing and has become recognized as one of the most skilled practitioners in that line of practice in the middle West. His practice is constantly extending as people come more and more to realize the efficacy of the form of treatment provided under chiropractic and his offices are well ecjuipped for the practice of the profession to which he so ardently has devoted his life. Doctor Sweetland married Lottie England, a daughter of J. O. England, and has one child, a son, Leroy W. Sweetland.

Prof. Claude L. Trusler

Prof. Claude L. Trusler, superintendent of schools of Fayette county and one of the most popular officials in the court house, is a native son of this county and has lived here all his life. He was born on a farm in Jackson township on November 21, 1878, son of Samuel Frederick and Orpha Jane (Sims) Trusler, both of whom also were born in this county and who are stil Hiving here, iniiuential residents of the Everton neighborhood.

Samuel Frederick Trusler is a son of Milton and Isabella (Thompson) Trusler, natives of Indiana and pioneer farmers in Jackson township, this county. Milton Trusler was a son of James Trusler, of Virginia, who was a soldier in the patriot army during the Revolutionary War, and he had two brothers, Nelson and Gilliert Trusler, who were officers in the Union army during the Civil War. Milton Trusler and his wife spent their last days ill this county, honored pioneer residents of the same. They were the parents of eight children, those besides Superintendent Trusler's father, the second in order of birth, having been Anna, Laura, Henry, Sidney, Ira, Juanita and Nina. The mother of these children was of English descent, the founder of lier branch of the Thompson family in this county ha\ing been Joseph D. Thompson, who settled in Jackson township, this county, about the year 1820. He was descended from Maurice Thompson, of Hampshire, England, who at one time was governor of the East India Company. Samuel F. Trusler grew to manhood in Fayette county and married Orpha Jane Sims, who was born in Columbia township, this county, daughter of John and Nancy (Collins) Sims, also natives of this state, representati\es of pioneer families, and who spent their last days in this county, where they reared a large family John Sims was a farmer and blacksmith and owned a farm in Columbia township. Samuel F. Trusler has always been a farmer and is the owner of a well-kept farm of about ninety acres in Jackson township, where he and his wife are very pleasantly situated. Two children were born to them, the subject of this sketch having a sister, Maude, who married John Kennedy, of Dunrieth, in the neighborhooing county of Henry.

Reared on the paternal farm in Jackson township, Claude L. Trusler received his elementary schooling in the district schools in the neighborhood of his home and remained at home until he was eighteen years of age. Upon completing the course in the Jackson township high school he entered the Central Normal College at Danville, Indiana, and was graduated from that institution, after which he entered upon his teaching career and was engaged as a teacher in the high school at Everton and later as a teacher in the high school at Alquina, and was thus engaged until his election in June, 1907, to the office of superintendent of schools of Fayette county, a position which he has held ever since and in the exercise of the functions of which oflfice he has done mucli to advance the cause of education hereabout. Professor Trusler has a wide acquaintance among educators throughout the state and his close personal interest in the schools under his charge has done very much to increase the efficiency of the schools of Fayette county.

In 1899 Claude L. Trusler was united in marriage to Estella Jerman, who also was born in Jackson township, this county, a daugliter of W. C. and Cora (Gwaltney) Jerman, substantial farmers of that township, now living at Everton. W. C. Jerman and wife have five children, of whom Mrs. Trusler was the third in order of birth, the others being Rov, Bessie,

Courtis and Robert. To Professor and Mrs. Trusler four children have been born, Jean, Noel Milton, Helen and Yale Nelson. Mrs. Trusler is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and the Professor is a member of the Universalist church. In his political views the Professor is a Republican and, fraternally, is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, affiliated with the lodge of that order at Everton. The Truslers have a very pleasant home at Connersville and take a warm interest in the general social activities of their home city.

John B. McFarlan, Jr., president of the People's Service Company of Connersville, secretary of the McFarlan Realty Company of that city and in other ways identified with the commercial and industrial affairs of his home town, was born in Connersville and has lived there all his life. He was born on November 7, 1866, son of John B. and Lydia C. (Jackson) McFarlan, the former of whom was born in the city of London, England, and the latter in Cincinnati, Ohio, both now deceased, who for many years were regarded as among the leaders in the social, religious and industrial life of Connersville and further and fitting reference to whom is made in a biographical sketch relating to Charles E. J. McFarlan, elder brother of the subject of this sketch, presented elsewhere in this volume.

Upon completing the course in the Connersville public schools the junior John B. McFarlan entered Oxford University, at Oxford, Ohio, and after a course of two years there became engaged with his father in the business of manufacturing buggies at Connersville; was presently made a partner with his father in that business and remained thus connected until the time of his father's death. The elder John B. McFarlan was for many years recognized as one of Connersville's most far-seeing citizens and was one of the most active factors in the industrial development of that city. One of the most notable evidences of his foresight was the encouragement he gave to young- men to build homes of their own, paying for the same in easy installments, being content to accept second mortgages in the case of worthy applicants for homes. That company, under the present direction of the McFarlan brothers and their sister, Maria J. McFarlan, is still continuing in business at Connersville and the junior John B. McFarlan is secretary of the same.

The McFarlans also are heavily interested in the People's Service Company of Connersville, successor to the old Connersville Natural Gas Company, and the junior John B. McFarlan is president of the same. He also is the owner of a fine farm in the neighboring county of Rush and in recent years has given much and careful attention to the management of the same, having developed there one of the best farm plants in that part of the state. Mr. McFarlan is a lifelong Republican, but has never been a seeker after public office.

On October 12, 1910, John B. McFarlan was united in marriage to Nellie Brown, who was born and reared in Connersville, daughter and only child of George M. and Ada (White) Brown, both of whom were born in this county and have for years been well-known residents of Connersville. George M. Brown is a son of George W. and Hannah (Yingling) Brown, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Germany, who became early residents of Fayette county and here reared a considerable family, their children having been George, Charles, William, Andrew, Fred, Alfred E., Maggie and Jennie. Mrs. Brown is a daughter of Hamilton White and wife, also early residents of Fayette county, who were the parents of five children, those besides Mrs. Brown being Elizabeth, India, Fred and Robert White. Mrs. McFarlan is a member of the Methodist church and both she and her husband give their earnest attention to the general social activities of their home town.

John Lockhart

One of the well-known and successful retired farmers and stockmen of Connersville is John Lockhart, who was born on Williams creek, in tliis county, on February 19, 1828, the son of Moses and Elizabeth (Reed) Lockhart, natives of the states of Ohio and Pennsylvania, respectively.

Moses Lockhart was born in Adams county, Ohio, where he received his education in the common schools, grew to manhood and was married. After their marriage, he and his wife established their home in the Buckeye state, where they resided for a time and in 181 1 came to Indiana and located in Fayette county, on Williams creek. Mr. Lockhart entered land of the government in Connersville township and he and his wife at once started to make a home for themselves and those dependent upon them. This section of the country at that time was, for the most part, a wilderness, covered with the heaviest of timber. The task of clearing the farm and preparing the land for the future crops was no easy one, and it was only with a firm determination and a firm will that this early pioneer was successful in his task. A rude log cabin, common to the district and the times, was erected and in this the little family resided for some years. A small tract was cleared and the first crop planted and later harvested, and thus the family were able to live for another year, or until another crop could be raised. Much game was obtained in the forests and fish from the rivers and streams and thus the settler of those days lived and worked. For a number of years, chopping, logging and burning was the order of the day. In time the farm became developed and improved, and where once grew the big trees of the forest, grew the golden grain, and the rude cabin was replaced by a more commodious and substantial structure. Here Mr. Lockhart engaged in general farming until the time of his death in 1832. His wife survived him and lived to the age of eighty.

Moses and Elizabeth Lockhart were the parents of the following children : Thomas, Robert, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Elisha, Nancy, Allison, Rolston, Mary Jane, John, Moses and one who died in infancy. Thomas is now deceased and Robert died in Louisiana; Elizabeth was the wife of Moses Burnett; the other children, with the exception of John, are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Lockhart originally were members of the Baptist church, but later united with the Christian church, and were always active and prominent in church work, substantial suppdrters of the local society. Mr. Lockhart was identified with the Democrat party and had much to do with the early civic life of the county. He was a man of much force of character and his advice and counsel was of much value at the time of the organization of the township and the county, after the state was admitted into the Union.

John Lockhart received his education in the early schools of his township and grew to manhood on the home farm, where he remained until his marriage. The life on the farm in those days was not such as the boy of today enjoys. Much of the territory was yet undeveloped and there was always much work that a lad could do. Yet, with all the hardships and privations, the youth of those days were trained in a way that well fitted them for the lives that they were to lead. For the most part they were manly, upright and industrious. They were taught the spirit of independence and morality. A social circle was developed that brought much good to the people of the community. All were, for the most part, on an equity, and there was little discussion as to who were the social leaders ; other than the fact that they were honest and fearless men and women.

It was on February i8, 1859, that John Lockhart was united in marriage to May Susan Dora, who was born in the state of Kentucky, and who came to Fayette county in 1855, and here she made her home until the time of her death on December 13, 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Lockhart were the parents of five children, three of whom are now living : William, Elizabeth and Rebecca. William M. Lockhart is a well-known and successful grocer in Connersville ; Elizabeth is the wife of T. E. Murphy, a substantial farmer of Fairview township, this county, and Rebecca is the wife of Albert Chrisman, a well-known and prominent attorney at Connersville. These living children of the family are all prominent in their respectixe ](X'alities. liave splendid homes of their own, and they and their families are all held in the highest regard and esteem by the people who know them.

After his marriage John Lockhart and his wife lived on the old liome place for one winter, and then purchased a farm of their own. tme mile west of Poplar Grove, where he and his wife lived for forty-five years. The farm they developed and improved, and there met with much success as general farmers and stockraisers. In 1903 he and his wife retired from the more active duties of life and moved to Connersville, where Mrs. Lockhart died and where Mr. Lockhart still resides. He has sold a part of his large farm, but still owns one hundred and twenty-seven acres in Connersville township. He was an excellent farmer and took much ]jride in the upkeep of his fine farm and in the care and attention that he gave the splendid stock that he always kept on the place.

Mr. Lockhart has long been identified with the Republican party, and has always taken a keen interest in local affairs. He was ever interested in the development of the schools of the county, and for a number of years served as a school director, always looking to the best interest "of the school and the children. His wife was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Lockhart was always a liberal supporter of the local society. During his life as a young man he taught public school and singing school. Much of his education he gained through his own efforts, for he was always a great reader and student, and. today is well posted on all current events. For one of his years he is unusually active, and has many interesting tales to tell of his early life in the county. His general disposition and his ability to tell of many of the interesting events of former days has made for him many friends throughout the county. His life has been an active one and he has seen many changes in the district during his life in this section. He recalls that when he was a lad, the greater part of the country about Connersville was a wilderness. Heavy timber was everywhere, and the woods were aHve with game and the streams abounded with fish.. All this has changed, and in the change he has had his part in the great transformation. The beautiful farms, well-established and modern homes, splendid roads, up-to-date towns and cities and schools that are the pride of the state, are all of recent date, and were perhaps undreamed of in the boyhood days of our subject. His life has been a worthy one, and today he is held in high esteem by his neighbors and friends.

Hiram Elmer Rees

The late Hiram Elmer Rees, a well-known and well-to-do retired farmer of Fayette county, who died at his home in Connersville on July i, 19 12, was a native son of Fayette county and spent all his life here. He was born on a pioneer farm in Fairview township on December 11, 1848, a son of Justus and Phoebe Ann (Long) Rees, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Indiana. A\ho were well-known and influential residents of Fairview township in their generation, and who spent their last days there.

Justus Rees was but a child when his parents, John and Nancy (Jarrett) Rees, moved from Pennsylvania to what then was regarded as the "wilds" of Indiana and settled on a farm in Fairview township, this county, where they established their home and where they spent the remainder of their lives. There Justus Rees grew to manhood. He married Phoebe Ann Long, who was born on a pioneer farm near Dodridge's Chapel in the neighboring county of Wayne, a daughter of John and Mary (Hudson) Long, early settlers of that neighborhood, and in turn established a home of his own in Fairview township and there spent the remainder of his life, a lifelong farmer.

Hiram E. Rees was reared to the life of the farm and in timi became a farmer on his own account, after his marriage in 1871 continuing to live in the vicinity of his old home until 1886, when he bought a quarter of a section of land on Elephant hill, n6rthwest of Connersville. There he lived for twelve years, at the end of which time he retired from the active labors of the farm and moved to Connersville, selling his farm in 1898 and thereafter making his home in Connersville, where he was engaged in various occupations, in Order not to be idle, for he had ever been accustomed to a life of industry and could not be content to sit down to a life of idle ease, and there he remained until liis death in the summer of 1972.

Hiram E. Rees was twice married. It was on September 6, 1871, that he was united in marriage to Nancy Jane Moffit, a sister of Miles K. Moffit, further reference to whom is made elsewhere in this volume, and who died on February 5, 1874, leaving two children, Merritt Elmer Rees, born in 1872, who married Mary Dusterberg, of Vincennes, and now lives at Indianapolis, where he is engaged as an air-brake inspector for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and Nancy Florence, born on January 3, 1874, and who was but five days old when her mother died, who married Joseph Storm, of Indianapolis, and has one child, a daughter, Elizabeth.

In 1876 Hiram E. Rees married, secondly, Elizabeth Ann Baker, who was born near Falmouth, in Fairview township, this county, a daughter of Daniel and Mary (Groves) Baker, the former of whom w'as a native of Kentucky and the latter of this state. Daniel Baker was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, in 18 14, and was but a boy when his parents, Abraham and Elizabeth Baker, came up into Indiana, about 1S22, and settled near .Falmouth, on what is now known as the Fitzgerald farm. -\t that time the countr}- thereabout was a dense forest and upon locating there Abraham Baker had to cut down trees in order to clear a space for the erection of a log cabin. He built the kitchen, adjoining the cabin, around the stump of a tree, leaving the stump to serve as a table, and amid these primitive conditions began the laborous task of carving a tillable farm out of the forest. Abraham Baker, who lived to the great age of nearly one hundred years, was the father of seven children. David, John, Harrison, Nancy, Helen and Eliza (twins) and Daniel. Daniel Baker grew to manhood on that pioneer farm and there spent the remainder of his life, a substantial member of that prosperous farming community, his death occurring on August 19, 1889, he then being seventy-five years of age. His wife had preceded him to the grave a little more than a year, her death having occurred on July 29, 1888. She Avas born in the neighboring county of Rush on September 12, 1824, a sister of Hiram Shipley's mother, further reference to whom is made elsewhere in this volume. To Daniel Baker and wife eleven children were born, those besides Mrs. Rees having been John G., George, Sarah, RuIofT. Garrett W., Harriet, Adaline, Alpha, Albert Jefferson and Lucy E. Of these, John was killed by a reaper falling on him on July 8, 1884. He left a widow and three children. Sarah and Ruloff died about the same time, of diptheria. George died on August 18. 1891. Alpha, who married Van Bates, died without issue. Garrett W. Baker lives in Elkhart, this state. Albert J. Baker is the projirietor of a barber shop just north of the terminal station in Indianapolis. Adaline married James Dickey and lives in Fairview township. Harriet married F. M. Martin and lives west of Connersville, and Lucy married George Kenyon and lives at Indianapolis.

To Hiram and Elizabeth Ann (Baker) Rees two children were born, Oda, born on December 8, 1877, who died on July 22, 1879, at the age of twenty months, and Clyde O., born on May 30, 1882. Clyde O. Rees, who is now engaged as a machinist in the shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Indianapolis, married Lavina Hurst, of Buffalo, New York, and has one child, a daughter, Mary Jane. Since her husband's death Mrs. Rees has continued to make her home in Conners\-ille. In 1916 she built a beautiful modern residence at 1022 Grand avenue and is now living there, very comfortably situated, enjoying conditions of living that hardly could have been dreamed of in her girlhood days on the pioneer farm in the woods. Her parents grew up among the pioneers of this section and from her mother she learned to spin, the spinning being done at home when she was a girl. She also learned to weave and in her girlhood days often was engaged in weaving at a neighbor's loom.

Charles E. J. McFarlan, secretar)' and treasurer of the People's Service -Company of Connersville, vice-president of the McFarlan Realty Company of that city and for years one of the most active and influential business men of Connersville, is a native Hoosier and has lived in this state all his life. He was born at Cambridge City, in the neighboring county of Wayne, December I, 1853, son of John B. and Lydia C. (Jackson) McFarlan, the former a native of England and the latter of the state of Ohio, whose last days were spent in Connersville, where for years they occupied a high position in the social and business life of that city.

John B. McFarlan was born in the city of London on November 7, 1822, and was about eight years of age when his parents, James and Ann (Beecraft) McFarlan, came to this country with their family and settled in Hamilton county, Ohio, in the immediate vicinity of the then rapidly developing city of Cincinnati. James McFarlan was a native of Scotland and was a silk manufacturer in London, but upon coming to this country bought a farm in the vicinity of Cincinnati, land now included in the corporate limits of that city, and there spent his last days, his death occurring when he was fiftyeight years of age. His widow survived him for niany> years and Hved to be nearlv ninety years of age. They liad a large family, those of their, children who grew to maturity, besides John B., lieing James, Thomas, Robert, Edw ard, Ann, Martha, Elizabeth and Mary. .

Though but a boy when he came with his parents to this country, ]n\m B. McFarlan was from the Ijeginning of his residence here a li^lpful assistant in the labors of developing the home farm in the Cincinnati neighlx)rhood. He completed his schooling there and when about seventeen years of age entered the factory of the old firm of George C. Miller & Sons at Cincinnati, to learn the trade of carriage blacksmithing. Some little time after completing his apprenticeship he opened a small shop of his own in the village of Cheviot, afterward and now known as Westwood, a suburb of Cincinnati, and while there married. Not long afterward, about 1850, he moved to Cambridge City, this state, conveying his goods and chattels by canal boat, and there established a carriage-manufacturing plant. In 1856, requiring a wider outlet for his expanding business, he moved to Connersville and bought out the firm of Ware & Veatch. carriage manufacturers, and continued that business quite successfully until his death on August 15, 1909, he then lacking but a few weeks of being eighty-seven years of age. From the very beginning of his residence in Connersville John B. McFarlan took a particularly active part in the general business and industrial life of the growing city and it is undoubted that his influence and the e.xercise of his boundless energies had \ery much to do with the development of the industrial interests of the city during the period of his activities there. When natural gas was discovered in this state Mr. McFarlan became one of the chief organizers of the Connersville Natural Gas Company and was elected president of the same. He also was one of the organizers and a memljer of the board of directors of the Indiana Furniture Company fnow the Krell Piano Company), was president of the McFarlan Building Company, which erected the McFarlan block in Connersville, and in his manufacturing industries employed large forces of men. Upon the organization of the Connersville Blower Company he was elected president of the same and served in that capacity until his death. For several years he also was president of the Fayette Banking Company, organized in 1892, and since then merged into the Fayette National Bank of Connersville, and in other ways gave of his time and energies to the development of his home town.

John B. McFarlan was united in marriage to Lydia C. Jackson, who was born at Cincinnati on December 4, 1822, and who died at her home in Connersville in December, 1906, she then being eighty-four years of age. She was a daughter of Thomas S. and Maria (CoUins) Jackson, the former of whom was born in the city of Baltimore and the latter in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Thomas S. Jackson was one of the early bankers of Cincinnati, connected with the old Franklin Bank in that city, and there he and his wife spent their last days, he being about seventy-five years of age at the time of his death and she, eighty-five. They were the parents of eight children, of whom four grew to maturity, those besides Mrs. McFarlan having been Charles J., George E. and Lucy. John B. McFarlan and wife were earnest members of the Presb3'terian church and their- children were reared in that faith. There were seven of these children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the third in order of birth, the others being as follow : Clara, who died when about twelve years of age; Maria J., who is unmarried; James E. and William W., of St. Petersburg, Florida; Lucy, who died when two years of age, and John B., Jr., of Connersville.

Charles E. J. McFarlan was about three years of age when his parents moved from Cambridge City to Connersville and he has lived in the latter city ever since. As a boy he learned the trade of carriage painter, meanwhile pursuing his studies in the local public schools, and upon completing the course there took a course in the old Chickering Institute at Cincinnati. Upon his return from that institution he engaged in the boot-and-shoe business at Connersville, in association with D. H. Sellers, but about three years later disposed of his interest in that business and entered his father's carriage factory, presently becoming a partner with his father in that business and was actively connected with the same until 1913. Meanwhile he was taking active participation in the affairs of other local business and industrial concerns and early in its organization became secretaiy and treasurer of the Connersville Natural Gas Company, continuing that position with the Peoples Service Company at the tim£ of its organization and taking over the affairs of the old gas company, which latter position he still occupies. When the McFarlan brothers and their sister, Maria J. McFarlan, formed the McFarlan Realty Company at Connersville, Charles E. J. McFarlan was elected vice-president of the same and still occupies that position. Mr. McFarlan is a Republican and has ever given lijs thoughtful attention to local civic affairs. For twelve years he was a member of the Connersville school board and occupied that important position during the time of the erection of the new high-school building in tliat cit\-. He has ever taken a warm interest in the cause of education and was for sixteen \ears a member of the board of trustees of DePauw University.

On November lo, 1880, at Connersville, Ciiarles E. J. ^[cI''arhul was united in marriage to Ella S. Hughes, who was born and reared in that city, daughter of Dr. S. W. and Ann (Hall) Hughes, natives of Virginia and prominent residents of Connersville, where Doctor Hughes was engaged in the practice of medicine until his death in 1865, he then being forty-six years of age. He had an extensive practice, covering a wide scope of territory hereabout, and literally gave his life for others, the exactions of his practice wearing him out at a time when he ought to have been in the very prime of his life. His widow survived him for years and was sixty-seven years of age at the time of her death. They were the parents of two daughters, Mrs. McFarlan having a sister, Emma. Mrs. McFarlan's maternal grandfather also was a physician. Dr. Daniel D. Hall, a prominent practitioner in Connersville at an earlier fla}'. To Mr. and Mrs. McFarlan one child has been born, a son, .\lfred Harry Mcb'arlan, who married Jessie M. ManloN-e and is lix'ing at Conners\ille, where he is actively identified with the industrial life of the city, president of the McFarlan Motor Company. The McFarlans are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and take a proper interest in the various beneficences of the same, as well as in the general social acti\ities of their home town, liel])ful in promoting all movements having to do with the advancement of the common welfare hereabout.

Frank B. Ansted

Frank B. Ansted, manufacturer, former president of the Connersville Commercial Club, vice-president and manager of the Lexington-Howard Company, manufacturers of automol>iles ; president of the Inland Mot()i- Sales Company, vice-president of the Indiana Lamp Compan\' and holder'' of important interests in various other concerns at Connersville, is a native of Wisconsin, but has Ijeen a resident of Connersville since the days of his early youth and has therefore been a witness to and a participant in the wonderful industrial development that has marked that city during the past cjuarter of a century. He was born at Racine, Wisconsin, December 22, 1884, .son of Edward W- and Catherine (Burk) Ansted, the former of whom was born in the state of New York and the latter in the Dominion of Canada, who are now living in Connersville, wliere they have for years been recognized as among the leaders of the general life of that city and further and fitting mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume.

When his parents located in Connersville Frank B. Ansted was about six years of age and he received his elementary schooling in the public and parochial schools of that city. Following his graduation from the high school in iqo4 he entered the law department of the University of Michigan and was graduated from the same in 1907. In that same year Mr. Ansted was admitted to the bar and engaged in the practice of his profession at Connersville, where he ever since has been located. Mr. Ansted has given considerable attention to commercial and industrial affairs in the city of Connersville and for some years, until 191 1, was vice-president of and attorney for the Farmers and Merchants Trust Company of that city. Since then he has given the greater part of his attention to his extensive manufacturing interests. Some years ago he took hold of the Indiana Lamp Company, as vice-president and manager of the same, and still occupies that position. In August, 1915, Mr. Ansted Ijecame vice-president and manager of the Lexington-Howard Company at Connersville. manufacturers of motor cars, which concern was established in 1908 and now employs about two hundred and fifty ])ersons and is turning out about five thousand motor cars a year. The Indiana Lamp Compan}' also has developed an extensive business in the manufacture of automobile lamps. Mr. Ansted also is interested in the Hoosier Castings Company and is president of the Inland Motor Sales Company. He is-past president of the Connersville Commercial Club and in other ways has for years contributed of his time and his energies to the advancement and promotion of the higher interests of the city.

On October 7, 1908, Frank B. Ansted was united in marriage to Isabel Roberts Heron, who was born in Connersville, daughter of James M. and Nancy D. (Dolph) Heron, the former a native of the state of Indiana and the latter, of Kentucky, who are still residents of Connersville and who are the parents of two children, Mrs. Ansted having a sister, Norah. James M. Heron is the eldest of the three children born to his parents, James M. and Caroline ( McCarty) Heron, natives of Indiana, he having two sisters, Catherine and Nora. The elder James M. Heron was a well-known manufacturer and capitalist. Mrs. Ansted's maternal grandfather was the Reverend Dolph, a clergyman of the Methodist church, who was the father of five children, those besides Mrs. Heron having been William, Edward, May and Kate. Mrs. Ansted is a member of the Episcopal church and Mr. Ansted lAVETTK COL'NTV, INDIANA. Jlis a member of the Catholic church. He is a member of the local council of the Knights of Columbus and takes a warm interest in the affairs of the same. He and his wife have one of the finest homes in Connersville and take an earnest interest in the general social activities of the city, heljjful in advancing all worthy causes.

Henry T. Silvey

Henry T. Silvey, one of Connersville's best-known and most progressive merchants and a partner with William H. Luking in the clothing business there, a continuation of the old-established tailoring establishment of William H. Beck, founded in Connersville in 1848, was born at Everton, this county, July 29, 1877, son of Thomas Hillary and Hannah (Jerman) Silvc\-. tlie latter of whom is still living in that village.

Thomas Hillary Silvey also was a native son of Fayette county, born just east of Nulltown, in Jackson township, October 14, 1835, a son of Dr. Presley S. and Frances S. (Sterrett) Silvey, pioneers of that section of the county. In addition to being a physician, Dr. Presley S. Silvey was a "local" preacher of the Methodist faith and in his day was one of the best-known men in this part of the state. He was born in Virginia in 1802 and was about fifteen years of age when his parents, Thomas and Anna Silvey, settled in Fayette county. It was on May 20, 1817, that Thomas Silvey bought a tract of ten acres in Jackson township, this county, paying for the same seventy dollars; land that today is valued at probably one hundred and twenty-five dollars an acre. Thomas Silvey, who was born on August 17, 1774, died on July 30, 1835. On that pioneer farm in Jackson township Presley S. Silvey grew to manhood and early turned his attention to the practice of medicine and to preaching. The demands for his medical services came from a wide stretch of territory and he traveled horseback for miles in all directions, calling on his patients. One night while answering a call west of Everton a bear crossed his path. He went on to the house of his patient. The next morning the bear was killed in a neighbor's barn lot. Doctor Silvey married, November 20, 1822, Frances S. Sterrett, who died in 1855, leaving eight children, Elizabeth Ranch, James Alorgan, Asbury, Rebecca, Ann, Thomas Hillary, Jerusha and Jane. The Doctor died on March 21, 1872, at his home at Everton, where he had been engaged in practice for many years.

spent at Alquina spent all his life in Jackson township. He had his blacksmith shop at Everton and was for years one of the best-known men in that part of the county. On September 8, 1858, he married Hannah Jerman, who was born at Fairfield, in the neighboring county of Franklin, October 26, 1839, a daughter of Reuben and Elizabeth (Osborne) Jerman, the former of whom was for years engaged in the live-stock business at Everton, driving stock through to Cincinnati. Fie also drove turkeys through to Cincinnati. In his later life Reuben Jerman moved to near Columbia, this state, and there spent his last days. His widow returned to Everton, where her last days were spent. Thomas H. Silvey died at his home in Everton in March, 1889, and his widow is still living 'there. They were the parents of seven children, five of whom are still living, Katherine having died at the age of nine years and William P., in 1897, at the age of twenty-seven years. Those besides the subject of this sketch who are still living are Reuben J., of Kansas City; Mrs. Anna Murphy, of Indianapolis; Mrs. Fannie Elizabeth Sims, of Indianapolis, and Jasper L., of Everton.

Henry T. Silvey grew up at Everton. In the days of his youth he followed farm work and later became engaged as a clerk in a grocery store at Everton. This experience gave him a taste for merchandising and after about two years spent in the store at Everton he went to Conner sville, where he became engaged in a grocery store. In 1902 he went to work in the establishment of W. H. Beck's Sons, tailors and clothiers, and was thus engaged until in February, 1910, when he and William H. Luking bought the store from Charles D. Beck, who had been sole proprietor since the death of his brother. This store, at the northwest corner of Central avenue and Court street, is one of the oldest mercantile establishments in the city of Connersville. It was founded by William H. Beck, a son of David Beck, a pioneer tailor. William H. Beck early learned the trade of a tailor and when a youth determined to get into business on his own account. Equipped with a pair of shears, a package of needles and one dollar in cash he went to Falmouth, where he laid his case before a woman who consented to board him, he to pay as he could. He gave her his dollar on account and announced that he was ready to do neighborhood tailoring. He was successful from the start, farmers from all around that part of the country bringing him cloth from the mills to be made up into clothing, and after he had saved a few hundred dollars he went to Cincinnati, laid his case before a jobbing house there and was given credit to the amount of four hundred dollars. Thus outfitted, Mr. Beck started a tailor shop in Connersville in 1848, starting business at the corner now occupied by the Silvey-Luking store, and was there engaged in business the rest of his hfe. He built up an extensive business and after his death the business was carried on by his sons, Samuel W. and Charles D. Beck, under the firm name of A\'. H. Beck's Sons, and was so conducted until Mr. Silvey and Mr. Luking bought the store, which they have since been very successfully conducting under the brm name of the Silvey-Luking Company.

In December, 1897, Henry T. Silvey was united in marriage to Lulu Z. Trusler, who was born on a farm between Blooming Grove and Fairfield, in the neighboring county of Franklin, a daughter of William H. and Catherine (Loper) Trusler, the former of whom was born and reared on that same farm, the old Trusler homestead, and who now lives at Richmond, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Silvey have a pleasant home in Connersville and take an interested part in the city's general social activities. Mrs. Silvey is a member of the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, through descent from her father's grandfather, who participated in the \\'ar of Independence. ]\Ir. Silvey is a memljer of the hx^al lodge of the Knights of Pvthias.

John W. Reich Le

John \V. Reichle, the genial manager of the Palace Hotel, of Connersville, was born in North Vernon, Indiana, January 4, 1887. He is the son of John and Anna (Wrape) Reichle, both of whom were born in Jennings county, Indiana, where they have always made their home. Mr. and Mrs. Reichle are the parents of seven children : four sons - Henry, Walter, b>ank and John W., and three daughters - Minnie, Mary and Florence (deceased). John Reichle has been identified with the liusiness interests of North \'emon for the past twenty-five years.

John W. Reichle was educated in the comnKni and high school of his home town. After graduating from the high school he went west and for se\'en years ( 1907-14 ) was in charge of a sta\'e mill in .\rkansas. Although he was only twenty years of age when he began his connection with the firm owning the stave mill, yet he displayed such ability U> manage men that he was successful from the start. His seven years of service with the firm employing him is ample evidence of his ability to ])erf()rni satisfactory service.

While in Arkansas he met the girl who later became his wife. Rose Hodge, a native of Greenup, Illinois. She is a daughter of C. C. and Martiia (McNeese) Hodges and was born in 1891. She was educated at Sedalia.

Missouri, and Ravenden, Arkansas. In addition to her regular common and high-school education she received a thorough course in music and is an accomplished pianist.

After their marriage on May 12, 19 14, Mr. Reichle and his bride at once left for Indiana. They returned to Mr. Reichle's former home in North Vernon and he at once became connceted with the Metropole Hotel in that place. He continued there until June 24, 191 6, when he became manager of the Palace Hotel at Connersville, where he is now located. Under his efficient direction the business of the hotel has been greatly improved and it now enjoys a liberal share of the patronage of the local and transient business of the city.

Mr. and Mrs. Reichle have a charming little daughter, LaVerne, who was born on March 19, 1915. This little maid has the unique distinction of having two ' great-grandmothers, Mrs. Mary Wrape, of North Vernon, and Mrs. Anna Weyl, of Bridgeport, Illinois.

E. Ralph Himelick

E. Ralph Himelick, one of Connersville's well-known young attorneysat-law, prosecuting attorney-elect for the thirty-seventh judicial circuit, and senior member of the law firm of Himelick, Frost & Goble, is a native son of Indiana, born in the neighboring county of Union, and has been a resident of Conners\'ille since the year of his admission to the bar in 1914. He was born on a farm in the neighborhood of College Corner on May 5, 1887, son of John W. and Rachel (DuBois) Himelick, both natives of Indiana, who are now living in Franklin county, where they are very comfortably situated.

John W. Himelick was born on a pioneer farm in Bath township, Franklin county, son of John and Mary (Davis) Himelick, the former of whom was born in Ohio, and who were the parents of six children, Mary, Marian, Laura, Flora, John W. and Grant. The elder John Himelick was a well-to-do farmer and breeder of thoroughbred horses and both he and his wife lived to ripe old age. John W. Himelick has always been a farmer. For eighteen years he lived in Union county and during his residence there served for six years as a member of tlie lioard of count}' commissioners. He married Rachel DuBois, who was born in L^nion county, a daughter of John K. and Elizabeth (Wilson) DuBois, also natives of Indiana, who spent most of their lives in LTnion county, although John K. DuBois was born in the neighboring county of FrankHn. He died at the age of sixty-six years and his widow survived him some years, she being seventy-eight years of age at the time of her death. They were the parents of six children, Angehne. Sarah, Harriet, Rachel, Edgar and Arthur. John W. Himelick was reared in the faith of the Methodist church and his wife is a member of the Colters Corner Methodist Episcopal church. They have two sons, the subject of this sketch having- a brother, Dwight Himelick. of Franklin county.

E. Ralph Himelick was reared on the paternal farm and during his boyhood and young manhood was a valuable aid to his father in the labors of developing and improving the same. Following his graduation from the township high school he entered Indiana University and in 1911 was graduated from the College of Liberal Arts of that institution, immediately thereafter entering the Indiana University Law School, from which he was graduated in 1914 and at once was admitted to the bar. Thus admirably qualified for the practice of his profession Mr. Himelick engaged in practice at Connersville and for the first year was associated in practice with the late Reuben Conner. After the death of that gentleman he practiced alone until in August, 1915, when he formed a partnership with G. W. Goble. In February, 1916, H. L. Frost became a member of the firm, which has since been engaged in general practice of the law at Connersville, under the firm style of Himelick, Frost & Goble. Mr. Himelick is a Republican and gives his thoughtful attention to local civic afifairs. In the election of 19 16 he was elected prosecuting attorney for the thirty-seventh judicial circuit and will enter upon the duties of that office on January i, 1918.

On September 5, 1912, E. Ralph Himelick was united in marriage to Faye Hamilton, who was born at Mt. Carmel, in the neighboring county of Franklin, July 24. 1891, daughter of Harvey and Caroline (Sleet) Hamilton, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Ohio, who were the parents of five children, of whom Mrs. Himelick was the last born, the others being Harry, Clarence, Mabel and Guy. Harvey Hamilton is one of the ten children born to his parents, who came over from Ohio during, the early days of the settlement of this part of Indiana and became well known among the pioneers of Franklin county. The Sleets also are a pioneer family in Franklin county. Mr. and Mrs. Himelick have one child, a son, John Harvey. Mrs. Himelick is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Himelick is a Royal Arch Ma.son, a member of Warren Lodge No. 15, Free and Accepted Masons, at Connersville, and of the chapter at that place, and takes a warm interest in Masonic affairs. (46)

John Stoll

John Stoll, one of Connersville's well-known merchants and the proprietor of a well-stocked grocer)^ store at 216 West Sixth street in that city, is a native of Germany, but has been a resident of Connersville since the days of his boyhood. He was born in Wurtemburg on September 29, 1863, son of Jacob F. and Katerina (Schweickle) Stoll, natives of Gennany, the former of whom died in his native land when his son, John, was about fourteen years of age.

In 1880 the Widow Stoll and her two children, John and Frederica, the latter of whom is now Mrs. Fred Neal, came to the United States, their destination being Connersville, where Mrs. Stoll had a brother and a sister living. They arrived at that place on September 29, 1880, the seventeenth birthday of John Stoll, and within two weeks the boy had a job as a baker, a trade he had learned in his native country. He worked at that trade until the first of the succeeding year, when he took employment in the factory of the McFarlan Buggy Company and there worked three years, learning the wood-working trade. He then went over to the Monk & Roberts furniture factory and after working there six months took employment with the Connersville Furniture Company and was engaged in the factory of that company for eleven years, learning all departments of the cabinet-making trade. From that place he returned to the McFarlan factory, but four months later, in April, 1896, he started a little grocery store on the top of West hill. In the meantime he had married and his wife A\as from the vei-y Iseginning of his mercantile venture a great aid in pushing the business. Much of the time during the early years of his mercantile career Mr. Stoll was compelled to be out with the wagon and Mrs. Stoll became an excellent manager and buyer. Mrs. Stoll continues to do the buying for the store and has done much to contribute to the success of the enterprise. Mr. Stoll and his wife had no experience before starting in business, but by careful thought, diligence and constant attention to details have gained experience and have done very well. About four years after John Stoll started in business on West hill his brother, Jacob F. Stoll, bought into the concern and the brothers started another store at 216 West Sixth street, the latter being conducted by Jacob F. Stoll, John Stoll continuing in business on the hill. Five years later John Stoll bought his brother's interest in the business, sold his store on the hill and has since operated the store on Sixth street, where he and his wife have built up an excellent business.

It was in 1886 that John Stoll was united in marriage to Anna M. Disque, who was born in Rheinpfalz, Germany, daughter of John and Katherine (Green) Disque. natives of that same counti"y. .\t the age of nineteen years Anna Disque came to this country in company with a number of other girls from the vicinity of licr home, with a view to finding better conditions here than tlifcy could hope to find at home, and upon her arrival in this country went to Cincinnati, where she lived until her marriage to Mr. Stoll. To that union have been born three children, one son, Carl, and two daughters, Emma and Elsie. The entire family are members of the German Presbyterian church and take an earnest interest in church work. Mr. Stoll is a member of the local lodges of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Loyal Order of Moose, while Mrs. Stoll is a member of the Daughters of Rebekah and of the (lerman Aid Society.

About ten years ago Mr. and Mrs. Stoll bought their present home, a substantial brick residence that was erected in Connersville before the days of the Civil War by Mr. Stoll's great-uncle, John Earner. After Mr. Earner's death the administrator of his estate sold the house to Mr. Schoenholtz, the baker for whom John Stoll worked upon arriving in Connersville, and Mr. Stoll bought the place from Mr. Schoenholtz's daughter. Before Mr. Stoll remodeled the old house it was of a rather odd design, one of the "landmarks" in Connersville, but since it has been remodeled in somewhat more up-to-date fashion it is a good-looking and substantial residence and there Mr. Stoll and his familv are very pleasantly situated.

James Huston

The late James Huston, for years a resident of Connersville and one of Eayette county's best-known retired farmers and landowners, was a native son of this county and lived here all his life. He was born on a pioneer farm near Bentonville in 1836, a son of John and Mary Miller Huston, the former a native of Pennsylvania, who was among the earliest settlers in Posey township, this county, settling on a tract of "Congress land" in the vicinity of Bentonville in the early thirties of the last century. They resided there during the remainder of their lives.

hood. From the days of his boyhood he was a valued aid to his father in the labor of developing- and improving the farms. Upon reaching man's estate he became a farmer on his own account and prospered in his operations, eventually accumulating some six hundred acres of valuable land. During the last thirty years of his life he made his home in Connersville, the county seat of Fayette county, directing the management of his farms from there. Mr. Huston was an ardent Republican and always gave attention to local civic affairs. He was active in local politics, although never a seeker after or holder of public office. He was an active worker in church matters, being a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and endeavored to encourage all movements designed to advance the common welfare. James Huston died at his home in Connersville on December 15, 1914, in the seventy-ninth year of his age, an honored and respected pioneer citizen of the community and country, in which his whole life had been spent.

James Huston had been twice married. In 1863 he married Ruth Amelia Murray, who was born at Genesee, New York, a daughter of James and Anna (Miller) Murray. Mrs. Huston died at Bentonville in 1875, at the age of thirty-eight years, leaving two children, a son and daughter, Francis Murray and Mary Helen, the former now a resident of Chicago and the latter a resident of Connersville.

Francis Murray Huston upon completing his education at Earlham College and at DePauw University, was admitted to the bar of the Fayette circuit court, at the age of twenty-one years. Later he turned his attention to newspaper work and presently came to be recognized as an authority as a financial writer. His early newspaper work was with the Cincinnati Enquirer and later with the Rocky Mountain Nezvs at Denver. He then was connected with the Chicago Inter Ocean for a time and later joined the Chicago Evening Post staff as a political writer and later became financial editor. He spent twenty years with the Post and then joined the staff of the Chicago Herald. For ten years he has been also editor of the Rand- McNally Bankers Monthly Magazine. Mr. Huston also has been a contributor to the London Times and numerous other papers and for years has been the Chicago correspondent of the Journal of Commerce of New York City. He was married to Linnabelle Janes, of Wheeling, West Virginia, in 1900.

Mary Helen Huston, who has a very pleasant home at Connersville, received her elementary education in the schools of her home town and supplemented the same by a course in Western College at Oxford, Ohio. In tlie sdcial and cultural acti\'ities of her home town she lias ever taken a warm

James Huston married, secondly, Marian Koogler, daughter of Dr. Adam Koogler, of Connersville, and a niece of Gen. George Crook, of the United States army. Mrs. Huston died at Connersville on October 2, 1907.

Among James Huston's ancestors ranked William Huston, a native of Ireland, who was his grandfather, and who assisted in establishing American independence, while acting in the capacity of captain.

Mr. Huston was one of a family of seven children, of whom two survive, Thomas Huston, of Kokomo, Indiana, and Mrs. S. S. Merrifield, of Connersville; William Nelson Huston, Mrs. Elihu Schrader, Mary Ann Huston, John Miller Huston, Mrs. Charles Mount and Robert Marshall Huston ]ia\ing preceded their brother to the great beyond. Charles A. Murray, a prominent attorney of Denver, is a brother-in-law.

Lincoln Kerr Tingley

Lincoln Kerr Tingley, cashier of the First National Bank of Connersville and formerly and for 3'ears train dispatcher in the office of the old Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad Company at Connersville, former councilman from his ward in the Connersville city council and for years an active factor in the development of his home city, is a native son of Fayette county and has lived here all his life. He was born in the village of Harrisburg, this county, September 15, 1866, a son of Dr. Uriah B. and Elizabeth (Kerr) Tingley, for years recognized as among the leading residents of that village.

Dr. Uriah B. Tingley was one of the pioneer physicians of Fayette county and his memorj^ particularly in the northern part of the county, is held dear to many in that section. He was born in Clermont county, Ohio, September 30, 1816, and early turned his attention to the study of medicine. He was graduated from the old Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati and in 1838 came to Indiana, proceeding by way of the canal to Hamilton and thence by stage coach to Oxford and then on by foot up the valley of the Whitewater to Connersville, where he opened an office for the practice of his profession. A year later he moved on up to Harrisburg and there remained in practice the rest of his life, a faithful physician and a friend to all.

there in what then was known as the "Frog Pond" school house. Upon leaving school he worked for a time on farms and then turned his attention to telegraphing and presently was appointed an operator in the Connersville office of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad Company, now known as the Cincinnati, Indianapolis & Western, performing his duties in that connection so well that he presently was advanced to the position of train dispatcher and was thus engaged until his election to the position of cashier of the First National Bank of Connersville on January i, 1905, since which time he has given his undivided attention to the affairs of the bank, long having been recognized as one of the leading bankers in this part of the state. Mr. Tingley is a Republican and has ever given a good citizen's attention to local civic affairs. For ten years he represented his ward as a member of the city council and in many ways did well his part in promoting the general advancement of the affairs of his home city.

Mr. Tingley has been twice married. It was on September 24, 1889, that he was united in marriage to Cora C. Caldwell, who died leaving one child, a daughter, Mildred, who married Leslie Richraan and has one child, a son, Robert. After the death of his first wife Mr. Tingley married Ella M. Crago and to this union one child has been born, a son, Malcolm. Mr. and Mrs. Tingley are members of the Christian church and Mr. Tingley for some years served the local congregation of that church as a deacon.

Jesse S. Chrisman

The late Jesse S. Chrisman, for many years a well-known and substantial farmer of Harrison township, this county, who died at his home in Connersville in the fall of 1916, was a native son of Fayette county and lived here all his life. He was born on the old Chrisman farm in Harrison township, August 29, 1839. a son of Jacob and Nancy (Swisher) Chrisman, the former a native of Gifford county. North Carolina, born on November 27, 1795, and the latter of Mason county, Kentucky, born on July 27, 1803, who were early settlers in the northern part of this county. Upon coming here they made their home in the woods of Harrison township and there developed a good farm, on which they spent their last days. They were the parents of ten children, of whom the subject of this memorial sketch was the last survivor.

trials and hardships of pioneer living. He received his schooling in the little old log school house in the neighborhood of his home and from boyhood was a valued aid to his father in the labors of developing and improving the home place. After his marriage he bought a tract of land near his old home and there established his residence, gradually adding to his holdings until he became owner of two hundred ami thirty-two acres, on which he quite successfully carried on general farming and stock raising, and where he made his home until his retirement from the farm and removal in 19 15 to Connersville, where he spent his last days, his death occurring on November 29, 191 6, he having been in ill health for some time before his retirement from the farm. Mr. Chrisman was a Republican and had for years taken an active part in poHtical affairs. He served as trustee of Harrison township for seven years and in other ways contributed of his time and his energies to the public service. He was a member of the Grand Avenue Methodist Episcopal church at Connersville, as is his widow, and ever took a proper interest in church work.

It was on November i, 1865, that Jesse S. Chrisman was united in marriage to Catherine \'. Price, who was born in the neighboring county of Franklin, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Clements) Price, the former of whom also was born in that county, son of Irons and Eleanor Price, who came to this state from Maryland and became early settlers in Franklin county. Irons Price w^as a substantial farmer and he and his wife spent their lives in the Blooming Grove neighborhood. They were the parents of twelve children, William, Mary, Rebecca, Susan, Unity, Harriet, Margaret, Edward, Jackson, James, David and L3'dia. Elizabeth Clements was a daughter of Richard Clements, of Maryland, who also settled on a farm in Franklin cotinty in pioneer days and there spent his last days. He and his wife had live children, Sarah. Nancy, Elizabeth, James and Caleb.

To Jesse S. and Catherine V. (Price) Chrisman six children were born, namely: Edward Robert, Laura A., Albert L., Minnie M., Oliver Perry Morton and Nona Grace. Lieut.-Col. Edward R. Chrisman, United States Army, is now stationed at Panama. Colonel Chrisman was graduated in 1888 from the United States Military Academy at West Point, which institution he entered at tlie age of eighteen, and participated in the battle of Vera Cruz, with the rank of second h'eutenant. He later was promoted to a lieutenantcolonelcy. Colonel Chrisman married Florence Ryan and has two children, Catherine and Albert O. Laura A. Chrisman married Robert Henry, of Harrison township, this county, and has one child, a daughter, Ouidabon. Albert L. Chrisman, a well-known attorney at Connersville, married Rebecca L. Lock- hart and has two children, John and Dorotha. Minnie M. Chrisman married J. L. Bush, of Ft. Wa3'ne, this state, and has two children, Mary, Grace and Edward Robert. Oliver P. M. Chrisman is unmarried and continues to make his home with his widowed mother at Connersville. Nona Grace Chrisman married Harry Stephens, of Ft. Wayne, and has one child, a son, Maynard Moody. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Chrisman has continued to make her home at Connersville. She has a pleasant home at 1947 Ohio street and takes a warm interest in the general affairs of the community.

L. T. Bower

In the memorial annals of the city of Connersville and of Fayette county there are few names held in better remembrance than that of the late E. T. Bower, organizer and president of the Connersville Buggy Company, one of the organizers of the Fanners and ^Merchants Trust Company, for 3'ears a member of the Connersville city council and in many ways one of the city's most active and industrious factors in his day and generation. Mr. Bower was for years actively identified with the industrial and commercial interests of his home, city and did much to start Conners^'ille on the path of its present remarkable industrial development.

L. T. Bower was born in the old village of Centerville, in the neighboring county of Wayne, July 2, 1844, a son of Jacob Bower and wife, early residents of that county. Jacob Bower was born in Pennsylvania, in which state he grew to manhood, later going to Cleveland, Ohio, coming thence to Indiana and locating at Centerville, where he married and for some years made his home. He then moved over into Preble county, Ohio, where he remained until after the Civil War period, when he returned to Wayne county, locating on a farm there, and there spent the rest of his life.'

Having been but a child when his parents moved from Centerville to Preble county, Ohio, L. T. Bower grew up on the paternal farm in the latter county and when the family returned to Indiana he started a sawmill at Harrisburg, continuing thus engaged for a number of years, at the end of which time, in 1875, he moved to Beeson and engaged in the sawmill business there. A year later he moved his plant to Connersville and there engaged in the manufacture of sash and door material, building up quite a plant in that line. About five years later Mr. Bower recognized the

I.. T. Bower

Opportunities of tlie buggy Inisiness and he organized the Connersville Buggy Company, converting his sash-and-door plant into a plant for the manufacture of buggies. L'jMn the organization of the company Mr. Bower was elected president of the same and continued serving in that capacity, acting as general manager of the com])any, until his death. Starting the factory in a modest way he gradual!)- built it up, as the business of the company was extended, until he had one n\ the most important industries of that kind in the state. Mr. Bower was an active and energetic business man and as his interests dexeloped found himself engagirig in more than one line designed to promote the industrial and commercial development of his home town. He was one of the organizers of the Farmers and Merchants Trust Company of Connersville and was elected to the first board of directors of that sound old financial institution. He also was a member of the board of directors of the Glenwocjd State Bank of Glenwood and of the board of directors of the Monarch Stone Company of Bloomington, this state. In his political \ie\\s Mr. Bower was a stanch Republican and for some time ser\-ed as a member of the Connersx'ille cit)- council, representing his ward in that bod\- for years, b'raternall}-, be was a Mason. Mr. Bower was ever a liberal su]jporter of the Methodist F.piscopal church, of which he was a member, and for years was a member of the board of trustees of the local congregation, as well as one of the stewards, ever doing all in his power to promote the church's interests in this community. His widow, who still .survives him, still living at her pleasant home in Connersville, also is a member of the Methodist church, in the \arious beneficences of which she ever has taken a warm interest, as well as in all local good works.

It was in 1869. at Alilton, in the neighboring county of Wayne, that L. T. Bower was united in marriage to Harriet A. Zell, who was born in that village, daughter of John and Anna (\\'allick) Zell, both of whom were born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, \vhere tlie\- were married, coming thence to Indiana and locating at Mih<ni, where for years John Zell was enga.ged in the blacksmith business, later becoming a hardware merchant, giving particular attention to blacksmiths' su])])lies. John Zell and bis wife were the parents of se\'en children, of whom two are still living, Mrs. Bower having a brother. Henry Zell, of l"t. ^^'ayne, this state. To T. T. and Harriet A. (Zell) Bower six children were born, of whom but two are now living, Gerie\ie\e .Adella, who married .\rthur Darling, of Big Rapids, Michigan, and has one child, a son, Edson Bower Darling, and Claude C. Bower, who is now located at Pontiac, Michigan. Claude C.

Bovver married May Wright, who died, leaving one child, a son, Robert, and he later married Mrs. Irene Teeter. L. T. Bower died at his home in Connersville on June lo, 191 2.

John G. Powell

John G. Powell, proprietor of the corner hardware store at Connersville, is a native of the neighboring state of Ohio, born at Granville, one of the most beautiful college towns in Ohio, August 10, 1872, son of William R. and Rachael Ann (Jones) Powell, both of whom were born in Licking county, Ohio, and the former of whom is still living on the farm in the immediate -vicinity of Granville, where he and his wife started housekeeping in the early days of their married life. His wife died on Christmas morning, 1898. They were the parents of three children, the subject of this sketch having a brother, William ]"ranklin Powell, who is farming the old home place, and a sister, Minnie, who also continues to make her home there.

Reared on a farm in the immediate vicinity of Granville, John G. Powell completed his schooling in Dennison University at that place and upon leaving college became employed in the hardware store of William Geachs & Son at Granville, and was thus engaged for something more than three years, at the end of which time he transferred his services to the hardware store of Jones & Sons at that same place, and was engaged there for three years. He then went to Toledo, where for some time he was employed in a wagon-works and later in Johnson Brothers' furniture store. His health then failing, Mr. Powell made a comprehensive trip through the South, visiting all the Southern states, and after a year of travel returned to his old home at Granville and served there as township assessor for a of years. He then spent a year in California, returning then to Granville, where he resumed his former position in the hardware store of Geachs & Son, remaining there until in March, 1910, when he bought his present store in Connersville and has ever since been engaged in business in the latter city. Mr. Powell's store, which is situated at the southeast corner of Central avenue and Fifth street, was established probably forty years ago and was owned by Joseph M. Webster & Son when Mr. Powell bought it. Mr. Powell handles a general line of hardware, stoves and agricultural implements and has one of the best-stocked stores in his line in eastern Indiana. Mr. Powell also owns a pleasant home at 1306 North Central avenue and he and his wife are verv comfortablv situated there.

Kayette Cohntv, Indiana. 73 1

It was in 1907 that John G. Powell was united in marriage to Maude Finley, who was born in Iowa and whose father died about the time she was born. Her mother, Letitia Finley, later moved to Illinois and at Oneida, that state, was married to J. W. Ronald, who owned a farm in Delaware county, Ohio, the Ronalds making their home on that farm until they presently moved to Delaware, where Maude l-'inley was living at the time of her marriage to Mr. Powell. Mr. and Mrs. Powell are members of the Presbyterian church and i\Ir. Powell is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. While living at Granville he served for s^nie time as a member of the city council of that place.

William Newkirk

The late William Newkirk, organizer of the Connersville Furniture Company and founder of that company's extensive manufacturing plant, for years one of the most important industrial concerns in eastern Indiana, was a native of the old Keystone state, but had been a resident of Indiana since the days of his boyhood. He was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 18, 1828, a son of Jacob and Julia (Burt) Newkirk, natives of New Jersey, who later came to Indiana, becoming early settlers of this county, and whose last days were spent in Connersville.

Jacob Newkirk for some years was engaged in business in Philadelphia as a hatter, later moving to Cincinnati, \\here for a time he was engaged in the hotel business. He also was a manufacturer of shoes. In 1834 he came up into Indiana with his family and located at Connersville, presently moving from that place to Harrisburg, a few miles north, but in later years returned to Connersville and there he and his wife spent their last days, honored pioneer residents of this county. They were the parents of seven children, those besides the subject of this sketch having been Francis, Louise, Emily, Azell, Julia and Charles, none of whom are now living.

AVilliam Newkirk was about eight years of age when his ])aVents came to Fayette county and his schooling was completed in the schools of Harrisburg. As a youth he was a great reader and the lines of his education were much wider than those offered in die schools of that period. When little more than a boy he began clerking in the Frybarger store at Cnnners\il]e and there laid the foundation for his successful mercantile career. After several years of experience as a clerk iMr. Newkirk embarked in business for himself, starting a store at Bentonville, in this county, but presently returned to Connersville and there opened a hardware store, which he successfully conducted for several years, or until he conceived the organization of the Connersville Furniture Company, he having early recognized the advantage that a furniture factory in Connersville would possess. Upon the organization of this company Mr. Newkirk was elected president of the same and thereafter gave his whole time to the development of the concern which has meant so much for the industrial development of Connersville, until failing health compelled his resignation and retirement from business. Upon his retirement Mr. Newkirk continued to make his home in Connersville. His death occurred at Daytona, Florida, where he had gone to spend the winter, on December 9, 19 11, he then being eighty-three years of age. Mr. Newkirk was for many years an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal church and twice was elected a delegate from the local conference to the general conference of that church. An earnest supporter of DePauw University, he was for years a member of the board of trustees of that sterling old sectarian institution and during much of that time served as the president of the board. Few men in this community were better or more favorably known throughout Indiana than was William Newkirk and at his passing he left a good memory, for he had done his part well.

William Newkirk was thrice married. His first wife, Mahala Hansen, died in Connersville, without issue. He then married Matilda Demerist, of Dayton, Ohio, who also died without issue. In June, 1882, Mr. Newkirk was united in marriage to Ida L. Mcintosh, who was born in Connersville, daughter of James C. and Elizabeth (Martindale) Mcintosh, both now deceased, the former of whom also was born in Connersville and the latter in the city of Indianapolis. James C. Mcintosh, who for years was one of Connersville's most prominent lawyers, began practice in that city following his graduation from old Asbury (now DePauw) University, and for some time was associated in practice with Samuel W. Parker, later maintaining his ofiSce alone, and continued in practice in his home city until his death in 1880. He was an ardent Republican and was actix'e in the vvork of the Methodist Episcopal church, as was his wife, who survived him many years, her death occurring on November 16, 1916. They were the parents of six children, four of whom are living, those besides Mrs. Newkirk, the second in order of birth, being as follow : Horace Parker Mcintosh, a retired officer of the United States navy, now living in Washington, D. C. ; James M. Mcintosh, a banker, of Indianapolis, president of the National City Bank, and Charles Kenneth Mcintosh, a banker, of San Francisco, California.

engineer, of Connersville, and has one child, a son, Horace N., and Helen Louise, who married Herbert McFarlan and is now living at Colorado Springs. Colorado. Mrs. Newkirk has a very pleasant home at 319 Western avenue. Connersville, and Mr. and Mrs. Houghton and their son make their home with her.

Adam Schoenholtz

Adam Schoenholtz, a well-to-do retired grocer of C(.)nnersville and one of the best-known residents of that city, is a native of Germany, born in the Rhine country on August 3, 1853, a son of Frederick and Katherine (Geiler I Schoenholtz, natives of that same countr)-. He lived in his native land until he was seventeen years of age, when, in 1871, he came to the United States, arriving at the port of New York on August i, 1871. Some years before, in 1866, his brother, Fred Schoenholtz, had come to this country and was engaged in the bakery business at Connersville. Adam Schoenholtz had been trained to the trade or a tailor and his brother, Fred, met him at Cincinnati and there secured for him a place in a tailor shop, where he remained until 1875. when he came on up to Connersville and rejoined his brother.

Upon coming to Connersville Adam Schoenholtz secured work in the establishment of William H. Beck, who was operating a clothing store and tailor shop in that city, and was there engaged when, on March 3. 1882, he married Kate V/eisel. of Connersville. who was born in Hesse-Da.nnstadt, Germany, and who was l)ut a ba1>y when her parents, Henry and Wilhelmina (Uhl) Weisel, came to the United States in 1855 'i"*^ located at Cincinnati, whence, in 1865, they moved to Connersville. where Henry Weisel continued his trade as a cooper. About 1878 Henry Weisel started a little grocery store at the northwest corner of Eighth street and Western avenue, at that time on the very outskirts of Connersville, believing the natural increase of i>opulation out that way soon would make that a good trading point. Mr. Weisel started the store merel\- as an investment, installing his daughter, Kate, as manager of the same ; he continuing his vocation as a cooper. After Mr. Schoenholtz's marriage his wife continued to conduct the store, which by that time was making quite a success, and as business improved Mr. Schoenholtz got in the way of bringing his tailoring work home with him in order that he might be of assistance to his wife in the store. Business continued to improve and presently he gave up tailoring and thereafter devoted his entire attention to the store. On August 5, 1885, he bought the store from Mr. Weisel and thereafter he and his wife continued to conduct the same for thirty-three years, or until they sold out and retired from business on January i, 1915, since which time they have been "taking things easy," enjoying the ample reward of their long and diligent application to business.

Mr. and Mrs. Schoenholtz are earnest members of the German Presbyterian church, of which Mr. Schoenholtz has been a member of the board of trustees since 1878 and of which he has been treasurer for the past fifteen years. He also is a member of Guttenl^erg lodge. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a memljer of the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias and of the Improved Order of Red Men, and in the affairs of these several organizations takes a warm interest.

Samuel S. Merrifield

Samuel S. Merrifield, a well-known and substantial retired farmer of Harrison and Posey townships, this county, now living retired at Connersville, was born at Laporte, Indiana, August 14, 1838, son of Roberts and Eliza Jane (Shipley) Merrifield, who were married in Connersville in 1832. Roberts Merrifield was a lawyer and shortly after his marriage established himself in practice at Laporte, where he remained for several years, at the end of which time he moved to Marion, this state, and was there engaged in the practice of law until his death in 1842, leaving a widow and four children, of which latter the subject of this sketch was the third in order of birth, the others being Mary Ann, Elizabeth and Charles.

Following the death of her husband Mrs. Merrifield returned to Fayette county with her children to make her home with her brother, Charles E. Shipley, at Connersville, and in 1844 moved with him to a farm in Harrison township, this county, and it was on that farm that Samuel S. Merrifield grew to manhood, receiving his schooling in the old Broadus school house. From the days of his boyhood Mr. Merrifield was a valuable help to his uncle in the labors of improving the farm and upon his uncle's death his mother received eighty acres of the place. As the elder son, the management of tlie place fell upon the shoulders of Samuel S. Merrifield and he remained there, farming the place for his mother, until his marriage in 1865, when he located on a farm in Posey township, where he remained until 1871, in which year he moved to Indianapolis, where for eight years he was engaged in tlie coal business with lii'^ brother, Charles Merrifield. He then returned to Fayette county and took over the home place in Harrison township, the place now comprising- the south half of Roherts Park, and farmed there until 1912, when he retired and moved to Connersville where he and his wife have since made their home and where they are ven- pleasantly situated. Mr. Merrifield is the owner of a quarter of a section of well-improved land in Posey township, besides otlier property, and is very comfortably circumstanced.

As noted above, it was in 1865 that Samuel S. iMerrifield was united in marriage to Harriet Huston, who was born at Bentonville on December 9, 1838, daugliter of John and Mary Huston, furtlier mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume, and to this union were born three children, Roberts, Alice and Charles, all of whom are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Merrifield are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and have ever taken an active interest in church work. Mr. Merrifield is a Republican and has always given a good citizen's attention to local civic afifairs.

Ro)' Clinton McKennan, manufacturing chemist and head of the Maxine Company at Connersville, is a native of the state of Illinois, but has been a resident of Connersville since the days of his boyhood. He was born at New Holland, Illinois, December 28, 1880, son of S. O. and Flora (Lucas) McKennan, both natives of Indiana, now residing at Connersville, where tlie former has been engaged in business since the early nineties.

Roy C. McKennan was about eleven years of age when his parents moved from Illinois to Connersville and he was graduated from the high school in that city in 1896. He then entered Purdue University and was graduated from the pharmacy department of that institution in 1900, immediately thereafter forming a partnership with his father in the drug business at Connersville. that connection continuing, under the firm name of S. O. McKennan & Son, until 1912. when Roy C. McKennan engaged in the manufacture of a dental .specialty which he had compounded and to which he gave the name of "Maxine." He formed a company for the manufacture of that preparation, the Maxine Company, which is very successfully engaged in manufacturing and marketing "Maxine" to the dental trade. Mr. McKennan also is a stockholder in several other local enterprises and is treasurer of the Home Loan Association of Connersville, a position he has held for about ten vears.

On February i, 1905, Roy C. McKennan was united in marriage to Madge Kensler, who was born in Connersville, daughter of P. H. and Isabel (Morrison) Kensler, and who also was graduated from the Connersville high school, and to this union one child has been born, a daughter, Isabel Flora. Mr. and Mrs. McKennan are memters of the First Methodist church and Mr. McKennan is a Mason and a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Dr. Joseph. R. Mountain, dean of the medical profession in Connersville, liax'ing been engaged in practice in that city longer than any other physician now ]5racticing there, is a native of .Michigan, but has been a resident of this state and of Connersville for nearly twenty years. He was born at St. Johns, Michigan, September 15, 1871, son of Robert S. and Cecelia M. (Pruden) Mountain, both natives of the state of New York, who moved to Howell, Michigan, in 1872, remaining there until about 1887, when they returned to St. Johns.

Doctor Mountain received excellent scholastic foundation for the practice of his exacting profession. He was about a year old when his parents moved to Howell and was about fifteen years of age when they returned to St. Johns, his elementary schooling thus having been secured partly in the former place and partly in the latter. In the fall of 1892 he entered the University of Michigan, starting in the scientific course, and the next year went to Chicago, where he was engaged in teaching school, as a means of securing further funds for his maintenance in the university. In the fall of 1894 he entered the medical department of the Unix'ersity of Michigan and was graduated from that in.stitution in 1898, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. During his college course. Doctor Mountain practically made his own way, acting as a tutor in other departments of the university during much of his term, acting also as demonstrator in laboratory work and in his senior year was assistant instructor, under Dr. J. M. Martin, in diseases of women and children, serving later as an interne in the hospital under Doctor Martin, this later practical experience being of more value to him than a post-graduate course.

at Connersville, where he ever since has been engaged in practice. During one or two of his vacation jjeriods while in college he had clerked in a drug store at Connersville and was then so greatly taken with the place that when he was free to settle down definitely he chose that city as the scene of his practice. Doctor Mountain has been very successful in his practice and is one of the busiest practitioners in eastern Indiana, the demands upon his professional services keeping him going- constantly. He keeps fully abreast of tlie latest advances in the practice of his profession and his office is usually well equipped, this equipment including one of the most complete X-ray outfits in Indiana, a valuable adjunct both to diagnosis and therapeutics. In 191 3 he took a post-graduate course in London and Paris, in the former place giving his special attention to physical diagnosis, and in 191 5 took another post-graduate course in New York City, giving there his special attention to the X-ray. Though the period of Doctor Alountain's practice in Connersville has not yet covered twenty years, he has I^een there longer than any other physician now in active practice in that city and therefore very properly may be called the dean of his profession in Connersville. He is a member of the Fayette County Aledical Society, of the Union District Medical Society, an organization older than the Indiana State Medical Association, of which later he also is a member, and is likewise affiliated with the American Medical Association, in the affairs of all of which organizations he takes an active interest. The Doctor gives his close attention to the general business affairs of the city and is an active supporter of all movements having to do with the advancement of the general welfare. He helped to organize the Central State Bank of Connersville, established in March, 1907, and was a member of the first board of directors of that institution. He is likewise interested financially in several other local enterprises and is a member of the board of directors of the Elmhurst School for Girls.

On October 16, 1900, Dr. Joseph R. Mountain was united in marriage to Elizabeth C. Clark, who was born and reared in Cincinnati, a daughter of Frazee and Margaret (Arthur) Clark, and to this union two children have been born, both sons, Joseph C. and Francis B. Doctor and Mrs. Mountain are members of the First Methodist Episcopal church and take a proper interest in church work. Mrs. Mountain is one of the leading members of the Carey Literary Club and is otherwise interested in the city's cultural actixities. The Doctor is a thirty-second degree Mason, affiliated witli the consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, at Indianapolis ; a Knight Templar, ^47) affiliated with the commandery at Connersville, and a noble of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Murat Temple), at Indianapolis. He also is a member of the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias, of the Modern Woodmen of America and of the Improved Order of Red Men and in the affairs of these several organizations takes a warm interest.

Virgil J. Barker

Virgil J. Barker, proprietor of a hardware store at Connersville and one of the best-known merchants in that city, is a native son of Fayette county and has lived here all his life. He was born on a farm two miles east of the city of Connersville on June 15, 1876, son of Barton and Mary (McCann) Barker, both now deceased, the former of whom was born in England and the latter in this county.

Barton Barker was born in Lincolnshire, England, and was but eight years of age when his parents came to this country and located on a farm in this county, east of Connersville, where they spent the remainder of their lives and where he spent his early manliood There he married Mary McCann, who was born in Jennings township, a daughter of James and Barbara (Dary) McCann, who had come to Indiana from western Virginia about the time Indiana was admitted to statehood and had settled in the woods, not far from the junction of Fall creek and White river, building a cabin at a point now occupied by the Claypool Hotel, in the very heart of the city of Indianapolis ; but coming to the conclusion that that locality never would amount to anything moved over to Conner's settlement and after looking about a bit established their home in Jennings township, this county, before 1819, and remained there on the farm now known as the old Spivey farm, three and one-half miles east of Connersville, for a number of years, at the end of which time they moved to a farm north of East Connersville, where they spent the remainder of their lives. After his marriage Barton Barker continued to make his home east of Connersville for some years, at the end of which time he moved to Harrison township, where he lived until old age, when he retired and moved to Connersville, where he spent his last days, his death occurring there on April 4, 1913. His wife had preceded him to the grave about eighteen years, her death having occurred on June 6. 1805. Barton Barker was an honored A'eteran of the Civil War, having served for four years as a member of the Sixteenth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, during which service he was wounded three times, once in the arm, once in the leg and another time a bursting shell deafened his left ear. Mr. Barker was mustered out as a non-commissioned officer. For three years during his residence in Connersville he served as chief of police of that city.

Virgil J. Barker grew to manhood on the home farm and completed his schooling in the schools of Connersville, graduating from the high school there in 1895. He then spent a few years on the farm with his father and then became employed with the hardware, furniture and undertaking firm of Thomas L. Smith & Son, at Connersville, and remained with that firm for thirteen years, at the end of which time he bought the hardware and stove department of the concern, the same having been conducted by Carl Smith, son of Thomas L. Smitli, and has since been the proprietor of the same, operating a very well-conducted and amply-stocked store, dealing in all kinds of shelf hardware, stoves, ranges, paints, oils, harness, blankets and farm implements, and is doing very well.

On April 15, 1902, Virgil J. Barker was united in marriage to Lola Paxton, who was born at Liberty, in the neighboring county of Union, a daughter of \\^illiam J- and Sarah (Brown) Paxton, the former of whom for many years was a teacher in the schools of Union and Fayette counties. Mr. and Mrs. Barker are members of the Central Christian church and take a proper interest in church affairs. Mr. Barker is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, affiliated with both the subordinate lodge and the encampment of that order, and takes a warm interest in the affairs of the same.