Hendricks County, Indiana - Biographical sketches, 1914 (part 10 of 19)

Jacob Lockhart, probably the youngest soldier who went to the froni during the Civil War. and now a prosperous farmer of Eel River township, was born April 14, 1847, ^^^ "^'^^ ^^^^ °^ Martinsville, Morgan county, Indiana. His parents were Jorman and Leah (Robbins) Lockhart, the father a native of Kentucky, who came to Indiana with his parents, who settled near Martinsville. His father had at one time been a man of means in Kentucky, but lost a great deal of his wealth b}- trying to help some of his friends. A'Vhen Jorman Lockhart became of age in Morgan county he entered forty acres of land from the government and there lived and died. Jacob, whose history is here given, was but three years of age when his father died. Leah Robbins, the mother of Jacob, was born in 1825, in North Carolina, the daughter of Jacob and Barbara Robbins. Her parents came to Indiana from North Carolina, making the overland trip in wagons, and about the year 1830 settled in the north part of Marion township, Hendricks county, where her father bought forty acres of land with a log house on it, and on this farm he died, leaving his widow and their children.

After the death of Jorman Lockhart his widow was left with four children, William Thomas, Jacob. James M. and Sarah E, ^Irs. Lockhart then moved to her father's farm in Marion township, this county, and here they lived until after the war. William Thomas served in the war in Company H, Seventh Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, until June, 1S64, when his arm was shot off in the battle of the Wilderness and he was compelled to return to his home. He died in 1873. James farmed in Eel River township until his death, in 1913. Mrs. Lockhart died about 1894.

Jacob Lockhart was reared in Hendricks county, and when a stripling youth of sixteen he enlisted on November 25, 1863. in Company I, Ninth Indiana Cavalry, One Hundred and Twenty-first Regiment, under General Wilson, and participated in all the marches and engagements under his command until his final muster in 1865. His service extended through Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi and. although he was never wounded, he had many a narrow escape from being captured.

After the close of the war Mr. Lockhart returned to his home in Hendricks county and, although still only a boy of eighteen, he bought a little patch of ground of about five or six acres, on which he worked for two years, selling out in 1867. Afterwards he bought thirty-two acres near his present home and a part of his present farm. Here is where the fine qualities of Mr. Lockhart are made manifest. He showed indomitable courage and pluck, which is characteristic of successful men and which has brought him that prosperity which he now enjoys. He went into debt for the thirtytwo acres, but, with heart to work, saved his money and. by good management, persevering industry and thrift, soon had the farm paid for and had (32) purchased more land adjoining. He now married and he and his good wife worked hand in hand, Mr. Lockhart attributing no small part of his success to the faithful help which his wife rendered him in their early struggles. He kept adding to his land holdings until he is now the owner of six hundred and eighty-one acres of fine farming land. This does not include the eighty acres which he gave to his son. He raises a large amount of live stock and pays especial attention to sheep and cattle, having at one time had nine hundred sheep and lambs on his farm.

Mr. Lockhart was married on March 5, 1870, to Adeline Davis, the daughter of Walter Davis. Mr. and Mrs. Lockhart are the parents of four children, Oscar and Ruby, who are still with their parents, and twins, who died in early childhood. The family are members of the Christian church. Mr. Lockhart is a loyal and faithful member of the Grand Army of the Republic, which was organized in 1866 at Decatur, Illinois. It is interesting to note that the first national encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic was held at Indianapolis in 1866, and that today there are more than five thousand Grand Army posts in the United States. Mr. Lockhart believes that a good recipe for success is to attend strictly to one's own business, keep 3'our credit good and refrain from intoxicating liquors and tobacco of all kinds. He has endeavored at all times to live such a life as to keep himself free from the censtire of the world. He has been a man of domestic tastes and has been devoted to his wife and family, and yet has taken his full share in the life of the community in which he has lived.

Albert L. Webb

Fealty to facts in the analyzation of the character of a citizen of the type of Albert L. Webb is all that is required to make a biographical sketch interesting to those who have at heart the good name of the community, because it is the honorable reputation of the man of standing and affairs, more than any other consideration, that gives character and stability to the body politic and makes the true glory of a city or state revered at home and respected abroad. In the broad light which things of repute ever invite, the name and character of Albert L. Webb stand revealed and secure and, though of modest demeanor, with no ambition as a leader of men, his career has been signally honorable and it may be studied with profit by the young entering upon their life work.

Albert L. \\'el3b, for sixteen years postmaster for the town of Brownsburg, Hendricks county, Indiana, was born January 29, 1863, the son of Ira C. and Lorinda (Shirley) Webb. Ira C. Webb was born in New York state and when about sixteen years old came westward, with his mother, to live with a brother of hers who had located near Pittsboro, this county. There he made his home until the time of his marriage to Lorinda Shirley daughter of William P. and Lydia (Pugh) Shirley, both of whom were nati\es of North Carolina who had located in Marion county, this state. Albert L. Webb was the only child of this union and when one year of age was taken to live with his mother's parents, where he remained until his marriage on February 7, 1883, to Florence Messick.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Webb farmed for a year or two and in 1897 ;Mr. ^^'el^b was appointed postmaster at Brownsburg, which position he held until July i, 1913. In 1904 he opened and operated Brownsburg's first hotel, which was located in the Hunter block, he and wife operating it in connection with the postofiice. At the end of four years, they disposed of this hostelry and Mrs. Webb took charge of a stationery store which had been run in connection with the postoffice. In 1913, after giving up the postoffice, Mrs. Webb enlarged her store when the postoffice was moved across the street from its former location. She deals in stationery and notions and is succeeding admirably. Mr. Webb is a painter and paperhanger by trade and has followed that occupation for the past thirty years in addition to his business interests elsewhere.

Mrs. Webb was born November 11, 1864, in Greencastle, Indiana, the daughter of Samuel and Armilda (Lynch) Messick. They were both natives of the Hoosier state, Samuel being born in Ladoga, a son of John Messick, who was an extensive landholder near Ladoga. Mrs. John Messick died when her son, Samuel, was quite a small infant. Armilda Lynch, mother of Mrs. Webb, was a daughter of Colonel John and Lucy Lynch and was twice married. Her first husband was John McGinnis and to their union were born four children, William, Lucy, Elizabeth and Ella, the first born dying in infanc}-. \^"illiam McGinnis was operator for the Big Four Railroad Company in Brownsburg for eight years. After the death of John McGinnis, his widow married Samuel Messick, by whom she had one child. Florence, the present Mrs. Webb. When Florence was fifteen years old, her mother departed this life. To Mr. and Mrs. Webb have been born five children, namely: Raymond A., who is engaged in insurance business; Eugene, who graduated from high school in 191 3 and now operates a tailoring and pressing establishment in Brownsburg : Neil, who is still in school ;

Mr. Webb is a member of the respected order of Freemasonry and is also affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. He is interested in the welfare of the Christian church, of which Mrs. Webb is a member, and takes a very active part in the affairs of the church. She also belongs to the Order of the Eastern Star, the Daughters of Rebekah and the Pythian Sisters. She filled the chair of district deputy grand chief in the last named order. Mrs. Webb is a woman of many excellent qualities and no small business ability and numbers her friends on a large scale. She is a lady of splendid personal qualities of character and liked by all who know her. Mr. Webb has become well and most favorably known throughout the community for his loyalty to the truth, his uprightness in business, his public spirit and his friendly disposition. He and his wife are among the most influential and popular citizens of their community, being abreast of the times in every way and always willing to give their time and substance, if need be, to further any movement looking to the betterment of the locality where they reside, religiously, socially or educationally.

James W. Ruse

It is with pleasure that the biographer has an opportunity to place before the readers of this work the life record of the honorable gentleman whose name initiates this paragraph, for he is deemed eminently worthy of representation along with the best and most industrious citizens of Hendricks county, owing to the fact that he belongs to the energetic and enterprising class that has made this favored section one of the most noted and richest in the great Hoosier state and has the added credit of having raised himself to this enviable position solely through his own efforts, his early years having been a time of hardship for him. Enjoying distinctive prestige as a farmer, he has achieved marked success, while his practical intelligence, mature judgment and sound business principles have had much to do in moulding puljlic sentiment in the community where he has long maintained his home.

James W. Ruse is a native of the state of Ohio, born in Perry county, near New Lexington, on January 19, 1857, the son of George and Clara (Brown) Ruse. The mother died when the subject of this sketch was but five years of age, leaving two other children besides him. The father kept the little familv together for two years, until the beginning of the Civil \\'ar, when he enlisted in Company C, Sixty-second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving throughout the rebellion. Previous to becoming a soldier, he took as his second wife Maggie L. McPherson. When the subject of this sketch was seven years old, his father bound him out to one Charles VanNatta, of Perry county, Ohio. Mr. VanNatta was a good master to him, permitted him to go to school whenever possible, and gave him good training in agricultural work. When he became of age and the period of his bound service was over, he recei\-ed from Mr. VanNatta the customary compensation. This was the gift of a horse, saddle and bridle or its equivalent in money. Mv. Ruse chose the money, receiving one hundred and twenty-five dollars. For a year thereafter he worked for one of the farmers in that community and at the end of that time was married and came to Indiana, locating in Marion county. He was there but a short time, when he removed to Hendricks county where he rented the Arbuckle farm, an eighty-acre tract, and lived thereon for four years. He then moved in with the Prebster brothers on their farm a mile and a half west of Brownsburg. Thev were unmarried and too old to work their farm and Mr. and Mrs. Ruse cared for them and their farm for four years. During that time they bought one hundred and six acres adjoining the Prebster land and built a home on it and after the four years with Prebsters spent three years on their o\\n farm. They then moved back with the Prebster brothers and remained with them for thirteen years, a total of seventeen years, or until the death of Christian Prebster. They then moved onto their own farm, taking Reuben Prebster into their own home and cared for him until his death, a year and a half later. In consideration of the care given by Mr. and Mrs. Ruse. Reuben left the Prebster farm to Mrs. Ruse. Mr. Ruse then bought property in Brownsburg and built thereon a comfortable home where he has since resided.

After the close of the war, George Ruse, father of the subject of this sketch, came to Indiana and settled in Marion county for a time, later coming to Hendricks county. He took up his residence near Brownsburg and there passed the remainder of his life, his death occurring on September 21, 1906.

On January 28, 1880, Mr. Ruse was united in marriage with Jennie Nixon, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Diller) Nixon, both being natives of Ohio. Her mother died when Mrs. Ruse was a little girl of six years and she remained in the care of an elder sister until her tenth vear, when she went to make lier home with an aunt, remaining there four years. She then began earning her own way in the world, but continued to make her home with her sister until the time of her marriage to Mr. Ruse. To their union has come one child, George E., born February 4, 1883. He is married, his wife being Elva Lowder, daughter of James Lowder, of Brown township, this county, and they have two interesting children, Raymond L. and Lois Irene. The subject takes just pride in these two children, dividing his time between them and the work of his farm. He has always been considered one of the best farmers in his section, conducting his business in a manner to win and retain the respect and confidence of his fellow men, and the success he has won has come to him as a result of untiring energy and wise management.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Ruse are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, being considered among the most earnest of its members. They give liberally of both time and means to further the cause of that society. Mr. Ruse takes an intelligent interest in the affairs of the community as affecting the educational, moral and material welfare of the people and gives his support to every worthy benevolent or charitable object. He has lived and labored to worthy ends and is one of the sterling citizens and representative men of his community.

John F. Brown

It is proper to judge of the success of a man's life by the estimation in which he is held by his fellow citizens. They see him at his work, in his family circle, in church, hear his views on public questions, observe the operation of his code of morals, witness how he conducts himself in all the relations of society and civilization, and are, therefore, competent to judge of his merits and demerits. After a long course of years of such daily observation, it would be out of the question for his neighbors not to know of his worth, for, as has been said: "Worth makes the man" and "Actions speak louder than words." In this connection it is not too much to say that the subject of this sketch has passed a life of unusual honor, that he has been industrious and has the confidence of all who have the pleasure of his friendship.

John F. Brown, well known citizen of Brownsburg, Hendricks county, Indiana, was born in Brown township, this county, in the part now known as Lincoln on November 4, 1854, being the son of Daniel and Polly N.

(Ballard) Brown, both of whom were nati\-es of the state of Kentucky and were brought to Indiana in their childhood by their respective parents. Daniel Brown was the son of Daniel Brown, St., whose wife, Elizabeth (Short) Brown, was a native of Delaware. The father of Pollv Ballard, mother of the immediate subject of this sketch, was Beverly Ballard, originally from Kentucky, a man well known in his community. Upon coming to Indiana, Daniel Brown, Sr., settled in Hendricks county, where he acquired government land in Brown township, about thrfee miles east of Brownsburg, and there he passed the remainder of his life. He was one of two brothers who came at the same time to this locality and from them the settlement which became the town of Brownsburg got its name. Daniel Brown, Sr., was the father of a family of eleven children, among them being Daniel, Jr., father of the immediate subject of this sketch. Daniel Brown, jr., remained under the parental roof, assisting his father in the work about the home place, until the time of his marriage. He then took up his abode on a farm near that of his father, and passed the remainder of his life there, his death occurring in February, 1862. The widow continued to live on the home place, surrounded and assisted by her children, and there her death occurred on March 23, 1883. She was the mother of eight children, four of whom died in infancy.

After his mother's death, John F. Brown continued to reside on the home place and in 1886 was united in marriage with Dora B. Gore, daughter of Silas and Sarah (Barnes) Gore, the former of whom was a native of Virginia and the latter a Hoosier by birth, having been born in Shelby county. In 1904 Mr. and Mrs. Brown arranged to rent out their farm and took up their residence in Brownsburg. At that time he also purchased a farm on the edge of the town, three acres of which were within the corporation, and there they lived for nine years, building their present home on Main street in 1913. Mr. and Mrs. Brown were the parents of two children, one of whom died in infancy, the other being Grace, wife of Byron Ayres, son of John L. and Ella ( Gorham) Ayres. Byron Ayres was born in Brownsbur§f and has lived in or near there all his life, at present residing on the Gorham farm one mile east of Brownsburg. He and his wife have one child, Agatha Leona.

Politically, Mr. Brown gives his support to the Democratic party and takes a deep-, and -(Commendable interest in public affairs. He served as a member of the advisory board for a number of years, discharging the duties of that position in a way satisfactory to all. Mrs. Brown is a member of the Presbvterian church, in the affairs of which }klr. Brown also takes an interest, although not being a member himself. All throughout his life, Mr. Brown has given evidence of unflagging energy and ambition and has won for himself a competency, being possessed of his excellent home in Brownsburg and one hundred and thirty acres of the old homestead. He is a man of many praiseworthy traits of character, being scrupulously honest in all hi« dealings with the world, generous and pleasant, possessing rare fortitude and good judgment, advocating clean policies, wholesome living and honesty in business. Needless to add that such a man has a host of friends and stands high in the estimation of all who know him.

Gabriel Nicholas Rudd

Conspicuous among the representative men and public-spirited citizens of Hendricks county, Indiana, was Gabriel Nicholas Rudd, who died on January 8, 1913, at a time in his career when he was a most useful member of society. He made his influence felt for good in his community and was a man of such sterling worth that his name will be long remembered by those with whom he was closely associated. His life had been interwoven with the interests of the community in which he resided and his efiforts were always for the material, moral and intellectual advancement of the same. The well regulated life he led gained him the respect and admiration of all of his fellow citizens and the heritage he leaves to his widow and children is that of a life well spent in the service of his fellow men.

Gabriel Nicholas Rudd was born May 9, 1873, '^^ this county and died January 8, 1913, his death being the result of injuries received in a railroad wreck at Terre Haute, Indiana. His parents were Jehu and Sarah ( Lasley ) Rudd, both of whom were natives of this county. Jehu Rudd received his education in his home schools and, after leaving school, worked on his father's farm until his marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Jehu Rudd were the parents of eight children : Norton, who married Josephine Osborn ; Orpheus, who married Anna Hastings; Thomas, who married Alice Adams; Zula, the wife of Oscar Smith; Gabriel, the immediate subject of this sketch; Ray, who married Alice Wright; Grace, who died at the age of eight years, and Erwin, who is unmarried.

Gabriel N. Rudd received a good, common school education and from his boyhood up was a youth of more than ordinary seriousness, and was taught to look upon the better and brighter side of things. As a boy he knew what it was to work and when he was only fifteen years of age he came to Indianapohs and learned the box-making trade. He continued to reside in Indianapolis until two years after his marriage, when he moved to Clay township, Hendricks county, where he remained the rest of his life. As a farmer he was recognized as an up-to-date agriculturist, who kept fulhabreast of all the latest advances in farming methods.

Mr. Rudd was married on September 28, 1895, to Luella Kendall, the daughter of Harry and Mary Kendall, and to this union were born three children, Lottie Verenia, who died at the age of seventeen months; Eloise and Theodore. Mr. Rudd was very much attached to his family and was essentially. a domestic man in his tastes. He was never happier than when seated by his own fireside, and the joys of conjugal bliss were made complete by the chatter of his little children and the gentle voice of his loving wife.

Mr. Rudd was afifiliated with the Republican party, but was never actively engaged in the campaigns of his party. He was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons at Indianapolis, belonging to Center Lodge. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Amo, Mr. Rudd being a trustee at the time of his death. He always took an active interest in religious afifairs, believing the church was the greatest single instrument for good in our country. He lived such a life that he could "wrap the drapery of his couch about him and lie down to pleasant dreams," with the assurance that his sleep was only to be an awakening in a better and brighter world.

James F. Hardin

Clearly defined purpose and consecutive effort in the affairs of life will inevitably result in the attaining of a due measure of success, but in tollowing out the career of one who has attained success by his own efforts there comes into view the intrinsic individuality which made such accomplishment possible, and thus there is granted an objective incentive and inspiration, while at the same time there is enkindled a feeling of respect and admiration. The qualities which have made Mr. Hardin one of the prominent men of Brownsburg have also brought him the esteem of his fellow townsmen, for his career has been one of well-directed energy, strong determination and honorable methods.

James F. Hardin, the present postmaster of Brownsburg, was born in Boone county, this state, on August 29, 1865, the son of William Elliott and Hannah Elizabeth (Lackey) Hardin, both of whom were natives of this state. William Elliott was born in Marion county and Hannah Elizabeth Lackey was born near Red Key. William Elliott Hardin was a son of Isaac J. Hardin, of Kentucky, and was one of a family of six children. The father was engaged in agricultural pursuits and young William Elliott remained at home until the time of his marriage, in the meantime receiving from his father instructions in the secrets of agriculture. After his marriage he lived in Marion county for a time and then moved to Boone county, where he had purchased an eighty-acre farm in the southeastern part of that county and there they lived for a few years. It was on that farm the immediate subject of this sketch was born and, when he was five or six years old, William Elliott Hardin traded that tract for a farm of sixty acres located about two miles north of the town of Lebanon. There he lived for some five or six years, when he moved to Lebanon and later back to Marion county to the farm of Isaac, his father, where they lived for some three or four years, or until the death of Isaac Hardin. William Elliott Hardin then moved to Clermont, near Indianapolis, when he remained for six years, engaged in the sawmill business. After selling that business, he moved to Brownsburg, where he passed the remainder of his life. His death occurred on October 25, 1893, being killed while working about a clover seed huller. He was a man of quite a mechanical turn of mind and after moving to Brownsburg he purchased a complete threshing outfit, in which he seemed to take much pleasure aside from the profit derived from the operation of same. His wife, Hannah Elizabeth, passed from this life in August, 1909.

James F. Hardin was one of a family of seven children, the others being Isaac, Matilda J., Anna, Ella, Kinkley and Claude. James F. remained at home until the time of his marriage, assisting his father in his various ventures. After marriage he made his home in Brownsburg, but for ten years was on the road for the McCormick Harvester Company. He decided to settle down to a business which would permit him to be more at home, and decided upon the jewelry and optical business. He went to Indianapolis to learn his trade, often walking the distance in order to save the expense of travelling otherwise. He was diligent in his work and in a remarkably short time felt justified in attempting business on his own responsibility, and opened up a business in Brownsburg where he has continued until the present, making for himself an excellent reputation in his chosen field of endeavor.

On November 3. 1895, Mv. Hardin was united in marriage with Maggie L. Cook, who was born Xovemijer 23, 1871, in Brownsbnrg, the daughter of Nathan and Mary J. (Moses) Cook, both natives of Ohio, having been born near Hillsboro. When but fifteen years old, during the nation's hour of trial in the early sixties, young Nathan J. Cook enlisted as a drummer boy in Company A, Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. However, he never served in the capacity in which he enlisted, for, being large for his age, he shouldered a musket and went to the front. Soon after the close of the war he was married in his native Ohio and not long after that brought his wife to Indiana, coming direct to Brownsburg where he was connected with the sawmill and lumber business. On October 12, 1898, the boiler in his sawmill exploded, killing him outright. The same explosion also blew out one side of the residence occupied by the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Nathan Cook lived some years after her husband, her death occurring on October 19, 1910. They had a family of six children. Those besides the wife of the subject are Cora, Glenn, Eveline, Lottie and Walter. Maggie L. remained at home with her parents until the time of her marriage to subject. Nathan Cook was considered one of the leading men of the town in his day and did much to advance its best interests, both morally, educationally and materially. He was active in local politics and served as town trustee for a term or two. His manner of life was such as to win the friendship of his fellow men and he retained their high regard.

Mr. and Mrs. Hardin have one son, James Gordon, who attends the grade school of Brownsburg. Mr. Hardin's political affiliation is with the Democratic party, in the administration of whose afifairs he has ever had a keen interest. He has been one of the town's trustees for two terms and was town marshal for one term, ser\'ing seven years in all, and in the discharge of the duties this devolving upon him he showed a spirit of equity and broad-mindedness that stamped him as a worthy citizen. On July i, 1913, Mr. Hardin received the appointment as postmaster of Brownsburg, which position he now occupies. While not a member of any church, Mr. Hardin has been active in religious circles, and has done much to assist the local society of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mrs. Hardin is an earnest and consistent member. In all the elements of good citizenship, Mr. Hardin is all that a man should be and because of his genuine worth and the high personal character he possesses, he enjoys a well deserved popularity throughout the county.

Thomas Moran

It was remarked by a celebrated moralist and biographer that "there has scarcely passed a life of which a judicious and faithful narrative would not have been useful." Believing in the truth of this opinion, expressed by one of the greatest and best of men, the writer of this review takes pleasure in presenting a few facts in the career of a gentleman, who, by industry, perseverance, temperance and integrity, has worked himself from an humble station to a successful place in life and won an honorable position among the well known and highly esteemed men of the locality in which he resides.

Thomag Moran, well known farmer of Lincoln township, Hendricks county, Indiana, was born in Franklin county, this state, on January 27, 1870, the son of John and Bridget (Haley) Moran, both of whom were from county Galway, Ireland. As was quite a custom among young Irish sweethearts years ago, they would decide to try their fortunes in the new world, being unable to see much in the way of opportunity ahead of them in their native land. The young man w^ould come to America first, and after he had attained a competence, or saw an opportunity for his sweetheart to make her own way for a while, he would send for her and they would usually marry soon after her arrival. In this way John Moran and Bridget Haley became emigrants to America. The former came direct to Hendricks county where he worked out by the day among the various farmers around Brownsburg. After his marriage, he moved to Franklin county for a couple of years, and it was while they lived there that the subject of this sketch first saw the light. John Moran had saved all the money he possibly could aside from actual living expenses, and was enabled to purchase a small farm in Hendricks county, where he lived the remainder of his Irfe, his death occurring in July, 1905. The wife still lives, making her home with her son, Patrick C. Mr. Moran was a stanch Democrat, having aligned himself with that party upon acquiring American citizenship, and the family were communicants of the Roman Catholic church. They had a family of five children. Besides the subject, there were Morton, Patrick, Sarah and Delia.

Thomas Moran remained under the parental roof until sixteen years of age, having attended the schools of their home district, and at that time hired out as a day laborer. He continued in this line of work for about sixteen years, when he purchased sixty acres of land, making a payment of nine hundred dollars down on same. On that property he lived for about five years, when he traded it in on his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres, situated about three and one-half miles east of Brownsburg. There he engaged in general farming, raising about the average crops, devoting particular attention to thoroughbred short-horn cattle and Poland China hogs, in all of which he is signally successful.

On February i6, 1909, Mr. Moran was united in marriage with Bridget Corliss, born February i, 1868, in this county. She is a daughter of Thomas and Julia (Collins) Corliss, both of whom emigrated from county Galway, Ireland, when young and unmarried. He came first to this county and after their marriage they bought eighty acres of land near Brownsburg and to this they added from time to time until at their death they were possessed of some three hundred acres. Mrs. Moran remained with her parents until she was about twenty-five years of age, when .she entered domestic service and continued to make her own way in the world until the time of her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Brown has been born one child, a daughter. Marguerite Mary. Both Mr. and Mrs. Moran are communicants of the Roman Catholic church and, politically, Mr. Moran is affiliated with the Democratic party.

On his farm Mr. Moran is enjoying life to the full, realizing, as the public at large is realizing more than ever, that the farmer today is to be envied rather than his condition deplored, as was at one time the case. Mr. Moran's life has been one of unceasing activity and perseverance and the notably systematic and honorable methods he has followed have won for him the unbounded confidence and regard of all who have formed his acquaintance. He has worked his way from an humble beginning to his present station, which fact renders him the more worthy of the praise that is duly accorded him by his fellow men.

Smith R. Davis

Among the strong and influential citizens of Hendricks county the record of whose lives have become an essential part of the history of this section, the gentleman whose name appears above occupies a prominent place, and for years he has exerted a beneficial influence in the localities honored by his residence. His chief characteristics are keenness of perception, a tireless energy, honesty of purpose and motive and every-day common sense, which have enabled him not only to advance his own interests, but also largely contribute to the moral and material advancement of the community.

county, Indiana, enjoys a higher degree of popular confidence and regard, is a native of Hendricks county, born in Eel River township on the 29th day of July, 1845, ^nd is the son of Benjamin Franklin and Jane (Russell) Davis, being their only child. Benjamin Franklin Davis came to Hendricks county in 1829, when six years of age, with his parents, Enoch and Nancy (Hart) Davis. They came from near Mount Sterling, Kentucky, to which locality Enoch Davis" father had gone from his native state of Virginia, taking with him his bride. Enoch Davis was the father of a family of nine children, of whom Benjamin Franklin was one. After coming to Hendricks county, he obtained a tract of government land about a mile and a half northwest of North Salem, where he passed the remainder of his life. In this same locality his son, Benjamin Franklin Davis, settled at the time of his marriage to Jane Russell in 1844. purchasing a tract of land near his father's home. However, he did not remain on this place long, but during his life bought and sold several pieces of ground in and around North Salem, in which town his death occurred in 1909. Jane (Russell) Davis, his wife, was a daughter of Silas Russell and was one of a family of nine children. She was a native of Kentucky and in 1842 came to Hendricks county with a neighbor, thereafter, until the time of the marriage, making her home with her brother, Smith Russell, who came to this county some time before.

, Smith R. Davis remained under the parental roof until the time of his marriage to Jane C. Brown, in 1866, shortly afterwards purchasing the farm adjoining his home. Jane C. Brown was the daughter of George M. and Martha (Dermott) Brown, and her death occurred in 1873. She left one child, Benjamin Marshall Davis, who is professor of nature study and agriculture at the Miami University at Oxford, Ohio. Benjamin Marshall Davis is married and had one daughter, Catherine L., who died at the age of eighteen years. In 1875 Mr. Davis took as his second wife Martha (Robbins) Kesler, daughter of John and Lydia (Parsons) Robbins, and to their union has been born one child, Lydia Jane, who is now the wife of Urbin L. Williams, son of Alexander M. and Martha (Griggs) Williams. Eydia Jane and Urbin L. Williams have one child living, Rodger Davis Williams. All are residents of North Salem.

Politically. Mr. Davis gives his loyal support to the Republican party, being active in the afifairs of same. He was appointed as township trustee of Eel River township and served for two terms, 1887 to 1889, and was again elected, serving from 1900 to 1905. Since removing to North Salem he has been active in the party's afifairs, as related to that city, and is at present ser\ing as town clerk and treasurer of North Salem. His fraternal affiliations are with the time-honored body of Free and Accepted Masons and also the Knights of Pythias. Both Mr. and Mrs. Davis are members of the Order of the Eastern Star, and both hold church membership with the Christian church, doing all within their power to further the interests of that society. It was in 1890 that Mr. Davis removed his family to North Salem and disposed of his farm holdings in 1900, since which time he has devoted his time and energies to the political work devolving upon him and in the conduct of the affairs of his home.

Mr. Davis is a veteran of the Civil War, having served toward the close of the war as a corporal in Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-second Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. His father, who was also an officer, bemg lieutenant in Company F, Fifty-fourth Regiment Indiana Volunteers. Howe\er, the father, Benjamin Franklin Davis, was not able to finish the campaign, having" contracted pneumonia soon after the company went into service and being thus incapacitated.

Mr. Davis is a man whom to know is to admire, for he has led a most exemplary life, and has sought to do his duty in all relations with his fellow men, being a man of honor, public spirit, charitable impulse and unswerving integrity and enterprise; consequently, he is eminently deserving of mention in a history of his county, along with other well known and representative citizens.

The Browxsburg State Bank

The history of banking in Indiana goes back to the year 18 14, when the Territorial Legislature of Indiana passed an act providing for a central bank, with fourteen branches. The Constitution of 1816 provided for a bank, part of whose stock should be held by the state of Indiana, and this continued in effect until the adoption of the new Constitution of 185 1, since which time the state has had no' interest in any bank. The banks of Indiana have passed through many crises and during the internal improvement era of Indiana, many of them were forced to surrender their charters. Since 185 1 the Legislature of the state has passed many laws providing for the organization of banks and at the present time the banking system of Indiana is founded upon as good a statutory basis as can be found in any of the states of the Union.

The Brownsburg State Bank was organized April i, 1908, with the following officers : Joseph A. Tharp, president, and John L. Marsh, cashier.

The bank does an ever-increasing business and justly merits the success which has come to it. Its officials enjoy the confidence of Brownsburg and vicinity, and this fact alone is one of the most valuable assets of the bank. A good bank is an important factor in the material advancement of any community and the Brownsburg State Bank is performing a useful service for all the varied interests of this locality.

William H. Shields

One of the conspicuous names on the list of Hendricks county agriculturists is William H. Shields, proprietor of a fine farm in Franklin township, a gentleman of high standing to whom has not been denied a full measure of success. Long recognized as a factor of importance in connection with the farming and stock raising industries here, he has been prominently identified with the material growth and prosperity of this part of the state, his life having been closely interwoven with the history of the county where he has been content to live and follow his chosen vocation for over a half century.

The Shields family is one of the oldest and most highly respected families in Hendricks county and has for nearly three-quarters of a century been a prominent factor in the material welfare of this section. The Shields family came from Tennessee early in the history of the state and first settled in Owen county, Indiana, the paternal grandfather, Henry Shields, dying in Putnam county. John H. Shields, the father of the siil^ject of this sketch, was born in Putnam county, Indiana, January 16, 1834. His parents were Henry and Jane (Dick) Shields, both of whom were natives of Tennessee.

Henry Shields came to Putnam county in 1829, where he immediately entered eighty acres of land from the government and proceeded to make his home in this wilderness. He settled in the heavy timber near Greencastle, clearing the land and erecting a hewed-log cabin. He was active and industrious, became widely known and stood high in the esteem of those who knew him. Mr. Shields resided in this county until his death, in 1889. His wife, Jane Dick, the daughter of Jacob Dick, was a woman of more than ordinary intelligence and took a great deal of pride in her children. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Shields were the parents of eight children : Jacob, who married, first, Mary Elrod, and after her death, Ann (McCarty) Cox; William, whose death occurred in his twenty-second year; Harriett, the wife of Harrison Elrod; Mary, wife of John Phillips; Louisa, wife of Jacob Phillips; Elvina, wife of Joseph Elrod; James, who married Mary Gibbons; John H., the father of the subject of this sketch.

John H. Shields married Phoebe Garrison, the daughter of William and Lavina (Reese) Garrison, and to this union there was born one son, William Harrison, the subject of this sketch. After the death of his first wife, John PI. Shields married Amanda J. Mason, the daughter of Anselm and Alice (Shouse) Mason. The parents of the first wife of John H. Shields reared six children, Mary, Elizabeth, Harriett, Phoebe, John ahd Pickney; the parents of the second wife had eight children, Harriett, Eliza, Josephine, Amanda, John, Merritt, Weekly and Wickliff.

As a boy of ten years, John H. Shields assisted his father in driving stock from Putnam county to the market at Lafayette, and also hauled wheat to that place, receiving fifty cents a bushel for it.

John H. Shields is one of the oldest and most successful farmers in the county, and his farm of one hundred and ninety-eight acres, partly in Franklin township and partly in Putnam county, has the reputation of being one of the best improved and most productive of the farms in central Indiana. He has been a life-long Democrat in politics and always casts his ballot for the candidates of that party. He and his wife are loyal members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Coatesville, and contribute liberally of their means to its support.

William Harrison Shields, proprietor of two hundred and fifty-one acres of land in Franklin township, this county, is the only son of John H. Shields. He received his education in the Putnam county schools, and when a small lad started to work on his father's farm. Upon his marriage, in 1884, he bought a farm in Hendricks county and began a very successful career as an (33) agriculturist in this county. Before his marriage he attended school for a time in Valparaiso University and since leaving college he has always been interested in the current events of the day. He also makes it a practice to keep in touch with the latest improvements in farming methods, and the result is that he is now one of the most progressive farmers of the county.

William H. Shields was married to Julia A. Newman, the daughter of John L. and Maria (Phillips) Newman, on October i, 1884, and to this marriage there have been born two children, Stella and Callie. both of whom are still under the parental roof. Mrs. Shields' parents were both natives of Randolph county, North Carolina, her father's birth having occurred in 1820. He came to Hendricks county, Indiana, when he was eighteen years of age and settled on land which his father had previously entered from the government. He married Maria Phillips, daughter of Eli and Elizabeth (Lanous) PhiUips, and to this union there were six children born : Laura, who died at the age of six years; Jane, the wife of G. Robinson and the mother of three children, Edward, Joseph and Cordelia; Mary, wife of Frank Johnson, who has two children, Clarence and Luna; Martha married Frank Hasten and has three children, Hezzie, Aldie and one who died in infancy; George, who died at the age of sixteen years. The father of Mrs. Shields died on February 20, 1892, her mother having passed away in 1886.

William H. Shields has been a prominent factor in the material, social and moral welfare of the community in which he has lived for so many years. In his religious relations he has been identified with the society of Friends and takes an active interest in the aiYairs of his church. Politically, he is allied with the Democratic party, although he has never been active in local politics. He is interested financially in the First National Bank of Coatesville and is a director in that institution at the present time. Mr. Shields and his wife have always been interested in all movements which seek to elevate the general welfare of the locality in which they live, and all movements looking to this end find ready and sympathetic helpers in them.

Charles H. Jordan

Specific mention is made in the following paragraphs of one of the worthy citizens of Hendricks county, Indiana, one who has figured in the growth and development of this favored locality and whose interests have been identified with its progress, contributing m a definite measure in his particu- lar sphere of action to the well-being of the community in which he resides and to the advancement of its normal and legitimate growth. Additional interest also attaches to his career from the fact that practically his entire life has been passed within the borders of this county. Earnest purpose, mature judgment and every-day common sense are among his prominent characteristics and he has merited the respect and esteem accorded him by all who know him.

Charles H. Jordan is a native of Hendricks county, being born about four miles east of Dan\'ille, on September 2, 1849, the son of Joseph ^V. and Anna M. (Faucett) Jordan, the former of whom was born in Preble county, Ohio, the son of Joseph Jordan. Joseph W. Jordan, father of the immediate subject of this sketch, came to Indiana when a young man and soon after arriving in Hendricks county he met Anna M. Faucett, their marriage taking place soon thereafter. They resided east of Danville until about the year 1850, when they remoxed to the farm where Charles H. Jordan now lives. Anna Faucett was the daughter of Joseph and Rebecca (Ross) Faucett, who it is thought came to Indiana from Ohio, their native state. To Joseph W. and Anna M. (Faucett) Jordan were born five children, three of whom died in infanc)'. Joseph W. Jordan rendered \'aluable services to his country at the time of the Civil War. At the beginning of hostilities, he enlisted in Company I, Seventh Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in which he served but three months, when he returned home and organized Company K of the Seventy-ninth Regiment of Indiana Volunteers, being commissioned captain of same by Governor INIorton, and in this capacity he served until near the close of the war, when he returned home owing to ill health. Joseph W. Jordan's death occurred in 18S5 and his wife died in 1904. He was considered one of the leading men of his day in his community and was a man greatly honored and respected by a vast number of acquaintances.

Charles H. Jordan received his elementary education in the district schools of Hendricks county, later spending two years in study at Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio. All the business efforts of his life have been devoted to agricultural pursuits and he is an advocate of modern methods in farming. In x88i Mr. Jordan was married to Arlen F. Glidewell, a daughter of Leander and Hannah (Hightshue) Glidewell, both of whom were natives of the Hoosier state. Leander is the son of Lewis and Nancy (Talbert) Glidewell, and Hannah Hightshue was the daughter of Nicholas and Jane (Runnells) Hightshue. To the subject and his wife were born four children, namelv: Cassie B., the wife of Chester Brunes. Thev reside three miles southeast of Danville and have a family of three children, Mildred, Glendon and Cecil. Harry C. took as his wife Lilly Lemon, and they live on a farm four miles northwest of North Salem with their two children Joe and Fern. Estella Ruth remains under the parental roof and is a teacher of music. She is a graduate of the Central Normal College at Danville. Joseph C. also remains at home.

Mr. Jordan's fraternal affiliations are with the honored body of Freemasonry, in which he has advanced to the chapter, or Royal Arch, degree and to the council of Royal and Select Masters. Both Mr. and Mrs. Jordan are members of the Order of the Eastern Star. Although not a member of any church society, INIr. Jordan's religious sympathies are with the' Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mrs. Jordan is an earnest and active member. Quiet and unassuming in his relations with his fellow men, Mr. Jordan has applied himself to the business of his farm and the care of his home and family. His career has been a consistent and honorable one, and because of his staunch integrity he is entitled to and holds the sincere confidence and good will of all who know him. He has been one of those solid men of brain and substance so essential to the material growth and development of a community and whose influence has been willingly extended in behalf of every deserving enterprise that has for its object the advancement of the moral welfare of the community.

Ora Cockerell

For thousands of years, since the earliest days of civilization, the work of the carpenter has been a necessity among men and has been honored by numbering among its ranks some of the brightest lights of history. Since the multitudes of mankind have forsaken tents of skin and huts of clay and have sought for their shelter houses built of wood, the carpenter has plied his trade, advancing and perfecting the details of building as the centuries have passed, until the primitive houses of our ancestors have given place to the present type of building, and our homes, stores and public buildings are marvels of convenience and luxury. Many new inventions in machinery and tools have come to facilitate the work in recent years, and yet, in many of the essentials, the fundamental principles of carpentry have not changed since the days when the Lowly Nazarene stood at his bench in Nazareth, and dignified for all time the profession of carpentry. Today the builder finds

In our midst we have one member of this profession who is well known and holds an enviable position in the community, Ora Cockerell, the son of a carpenter, was bred to the use of tools. He was born December 8, 1872, in Middle township, Hendricks county, the son of Andrew Jackson and Mary Jane (Griffith) Cockerell.

Andrew Jackson Cockerell was a native of Carroll county, Kentuckv, but emigrated to Hendricks county in 1856, making the journey alone and taking up his abode in Middle township. Here he followed the carpenter's trade, building some of the stanch, heavily-timbered houses which still stand as evidence of the thorough workmanship done upon them. Later he learned to be a wagon-maker, but devoted comparatively little time to this work. He was married to Mary Jane Griffith, a native of Hendricks county, who proved a devoted wife and mother. To them were born nine children, as follows: Benjamin Thomas, who died in 1902 ; Henry Marshall, James Wesley, Willis Elmer. Eva Jane (Pounds). Rosa (Hicks), Ora, the immediate subject of this article. Nettie Marie, who died in January, 1887, and Alice (Davis). In the year 1887 death deprived Andrew J. Cockerell of the companionship of his faithful wife, leaving him a large family of children to rear without her aid and encouragement. He proved himself a kind, patient father, teaching by example as well as precept, and instilling the principles of temperance, sobriety and industry into his boys. He was a member of no church and took no active part in politics, although a consistent adherent of the Democratic party, finding his associations and limiting his outside activities to the local lodge of Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of whch he was a member, and to the various social affairs of the neighborhood. He died in 1906, leaving a large, respected family to perpetuate his name and teachings, and many friends who revere his memory.

Ora Cockerell spent his boyhood days in Middle township, Hendricks county, attending the elementary schools of the township, and at the early age of fifteen years learning the carpenter's trade. On December 23, 1896, he married Alta Estella Roseboom, and to them have been born four children, three sons, Paul Gilbert, Charles Harold and Frank, all of whom the allwise Father saw fit to take unto himself in their childhood; and one daughter, Genevieve May. who is the constant companion of her mother and the source of inspiration to her father.

Mr. Cockerell is a man of few words, quiet and unassuming, but his judgment in business affairs is unquestioned, and his advice in public affairs at all times carries great weight with his associates. His life has been one of accomplishment for himself and the community. Starting in life with little capital save his own knowledge of his chosen trade, he has worked conscientiously and well, first as a good carpenter and later as a successful contractor, upon whose word clients can safely depend. His own home is visible evidence of his ability as a builder, being a beautiful, modern structure, thoroughly equipped with every convenience for the comfort of the family and to facilitate the work of the home. The fact that he has twice been elected a member of the town board of Pittsboro, serving two terms in this capacity (from 1906 to 1908 and from 191 1 to 1913), speaks more elocjuently of the high esteem in which he is held by his fellow men than any words of ours could do.

Firm in his convictions and unswerving in adherence to principle, his political affiliations have not always been with the most popular party; but he has worked diligently for and looked forward to the abolishment of the liquor traffic and its attendant evils in his own community and throughout the nation, and to this end has consistently allied himself with the Prohibition party. Fraternally, he is a member of the Pittsboro Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows : the Knights of Pythias, at Brownsburg, and the Improved Order of Red Men at Lizton. He is a member of the Baptist church of Pittsboro, while Mrs. Cockerell has her membership in the Methodist church.

The K. of P. building at Lizton, the Sawyer block and Hay worth block at Pittsboro, and numerous other buildings throughout the county speak of his ability as a builder, while his reputation for strict integrity, honor, industry and the performance of all good works in his power for the community at large, speak of a life of service, well spent and productive of marked results for himself and his neighbor.

Toseph G. Walter

The pursuit of agriculture in itself seems to make a peculiar ap]3eal to those characteristics in mankind which tend toward and develop the true and sincere in character. Nearer, in his daily life, to the beautiful heart of nature than any other man, witnessing in all around him the wonders which the Almighty daily performs; seeing in the sprouting of the seed, the purling of the brook and the habits of live creatures the miracles which are hidden from the cliff dweller of the crowded cit}', is it small wonder that he is uncontaminated by the petty, mean things of life. And as he sees these things in his daily life and work, his nature deepens and truth and sincerity become his natural attitude toward life and his fellow men.

It is of such a man we wish to speak in this article. Joseph G. Walter was born January 29, 1848, in Middle township, Hendricks county, the son of William Eli and Caroline (Reynolds) Walter. His boyhood was spent upon the farm of his father, and here he roamed the fields and learned the fundamental principles of his vocation. He attended the schools of the township, assisting his father with the work of the farm in his spare time.

In 1872 Mr. Walter was married to Virginia Dickerson, but in the year 1880 death called her from him. In 1891 he again married. Azzie Pierson, the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Jones) Pierson, becoming his wife. Three children have come to bless this union, all of whom are still at home with their parents.

During his early life, Mr. Walter was at one time seized with the desire for a change, and this wanderlust led him to seek new scenes and new faces and new occupations in the far West. The beautiful state of Colorado eventually became his goal and there, for live years, he engaged in the work of mining silver, but the love of home and the memories of the green fields of his native county were strong within him and he finally turned his back upon the glories of the beautiful Rockies and returned to the Hoosier state. Here he has since remained, eventually purchasing a farm of about sixty-four acres, lying both in Middle and Union townships, and this tract, with its comfortable house and well-kept buildings, is one of the well known homesteads of the locality.

The subject's father, Eli Walter, was a native of Fauquier county, \'irginia, but emigrated while still a young man, to Hamilton county, Ohio, remaining in this place about two years. A residence of about five years in Wayne county followed, and there he met and married Caroline Reynolds, a native of the state of New Jersey. Eleven children were born to them, as follows: Sarah, John W., Nancy Rachel, Lucy Jane (Anderson), Alexander, Joseph G., Martha C. (Thompson), George. Benjamin, William and an infant who lived but a few hours. Of these children but three survive, Joseph G., Lucy Jane and Martha C. Mr. Walter entered land from the government in St. Joe county, and also in Tii5ton county, this state, but it was in Hendricks county that he chose to spend his days and rear his family. He was untiring in his efforts upon the farm, giving his time and energy to the successful cultivation of the soil, drawing therefrom sustenance for his large and growing family. The faithful wife and mother was called from this earth to her final rest in 1857, and for thirty-three years thereafter he found his comfort in his home and children, until death called him in 1890.

In manner, Joseph G. Walter is quiet and unassuming, yet sociable withal and a man to inspire confidence. His reputation for honesty and veracity is unc]uestioned and his friends speak of him as a man "whose word is as good as his bond." He is a firm believer in the tenets of the Republican party; a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Pittsboro, and is also affiliated with the Masonic order of that place. He has aspired to no political office, devoting his energies to his home, his farm and the improvement of his surroundings, but in all questions touching the welfare of the community at large he shows a vital interest. Though not an active member of any church, his sympathies are with the Christian denomination. Both he and his wife are devoted to their three children and are popular with the young people in their vicinity.

A man of large acquaintance, many friends and a host of well wishers, his life has been a source of uplift to those with whom he has come in contact, and the community at large is the better for his having lived in it. Thus has he fulfilled man's highest mission in life, to so live that when he is called from hence he shall leave the world better than he found it.

One of the best farmers of Hendricks county, who by virtue of his strong individual qualities has earned his way to a high standing in the estimation of his fellow citizens, is Cyrus H. Masten, who, by sheer force of character and persistency, has won his way from a humble beginning to a place of influence and prominence in the community where he has been active for many years. As a young man he taught school for nine years and the training and discipline which he acquired as a result of his teaching experience has made him a valuable man in the life of the community. He always keeps well informed upon all the latest methods of agriculture and comes as near being a scientific farmer as any one in the county.

Cyrus H. Masten, the proprietor of one hundred and thirty acres of fine land in Franklin township, was born July 2, 1854, in the count}' where he has lived his entire Hfe. His parents were John and Sarah (Harvey) Masten, his father being a native of North Carohna, while his mother was born in Ohio. John Masten came to Hendricks county, Indiana, at the age of five, with his parents, who were farmers, and, after a limited education in the subscription schools of that period, he started to work on his father's farm. While still a young man he married Sarah Harvey, the daughter of Nathan and Ruth (Jones) Harvey, and to this union there were born eight children : One who died in infancy ; Ruth, who first married Clark Hodson, and after his death, W. R. Shirley, and later Allen Wicker: Emory, who married Emma Mendenhall ; Elmer and Anna, both unmarried and living in Amo; Sarah, deceased; Milo. deceased, and Cyrus, the immediate subject of this sketch.

Cyrus H. Masten was interested in education from the time that he took his first reader to school, and before he completed his education he had finished the common school course and also the courses at \'alparaiso University and the Indiana State Normal School at Terre Haute. \\'ith this preparation he started to teach in the public schools of his county and for the next ten years he was one of the most successful teachers in the county. The teaching profession lost an able instructor when he decided to retire from the school room and engage in farming. He had taught two years before he graduated. As a farmer he has been no less successful than as a teacher, and the same qualities \\hich brought him success in the school room have been of benefit to him in his agricultural career.

Mr. Masten was married to Laura E. Hadley, the daughter of Jehu and Jerusha (Stiles) Hadley, and to this union there were born five children, Verne, Ray H., Eloy (who married Ralph Shields and has one child, Donnas Lucile), Earl H. and Eva. The parents of Mrs. Masten were prominent citizens of this county, and raised an interesting family of ten children : Nancy, wife of William Daggy; Mar}', wife of Dr. H. Gibbons; Henry, unmarried; George, deceased; Sybil, wife of W. Wilson; Marcus, deceased; Alice, wife of D. B. Matlock; Laura, wife of the subject; Jerusha, wife of Edw ard Ragland : Jehu, who married Olive Wilhite. The latter two are twins. The mother of Mrs. Masten died in 1899, and her father in 1894.

Mr. Masten is a Progressive in politics, having joined that party upon its organization in the fall of 1912, because he felt that in the principles advocated by that party there was a splendid opportunity for impro\-ing the condition of the community at large. He and his wife are devoted members of the Christian church at Stilesville, Indiana, and are interested in all of its various activities. Mr. Masten has always been active in all movements looking toward the welfare of his locality. He has always been a sympathetic and ready helper of all public enterprises. He is a genial man and one who has a host of friends throughout the township and county wh.) admire him for the sterling uprightness of his character.

Elmer Smith

The following is the sketch of a plain, honest man of affairs, who by correct methods and a strict regard for the interests of those with whom his business interests brought him into contact, has made his influence felt in Brownsburg and vicinity and has won for himself distinctive prestige in the business circles of that city. He would be the last man to sit for romance or become the subject of fancy sketches; nevertheless his life presents much that is interesting and valuable and may be studied with profit by the young whose careers are yet to be achieved. He is one of those whose integrity and strength of character must force them into an admirable notoriety, which their modesty never seeks, who command the respect of their contemporaries and their posterity and leave the impress of their individuality deeply stamped upon the community.

Elmer Smith was born May 2, 1873, in Pike township, Marion county, Indiana, the son of Elijah and Evelin (AlcCurdy) Smith, the former of whom was born in Brown township. Hendricks county, on September 29, i8_|.6. He was the son of Thomas D. and Susan (Ford) Smith, natives of Kentucky, who, soon after their marriage, came to Indiana, making the journey on horseback. Thomas D. was the son of Isaac Smith, who was a native of North Carolina and went to Kentucky with his father when a boy. He later moved to Indiana and settled about four miles southeast of Brownsburg in Hendricks county.

Elijah Smith, father of the subject, was one of a family of nine children and lived at home until the time of his marriage, being in the meantime instructed by his father in the proper methods of agriculture. After his marriage, he took up his residence in Marion county, this state, where he had rented a farm on Eagle creek. There he made his home from 1870 to 1900, having purchased one hundred and forty acres of land thereabouts. In 1900 he disposed of a portion of this land and removed to Brownsburg, where he purchased property and now resides. In 1870 Elijah Smith was united in marriage with Eveliii McCurdy, daughter of David and Nancy (Hill) McCurdy, and in July, 1902, she died, leaving two children, the subject of this sketch and his brother, Alvin A.

Elmer Smith rerhained at his father's home until the time of his marriage, having received his education in the district schools of Marion county. After his marriage he took up his residence on a farm he had purchased adjoining that of his father. He remained there until 1903, when he removed to Brownsburg, where he resided for about nine months, and in August of that year he took up his residence on a farm which he had purchased in Brown township, this county. There he lived for three years, when he returned to Brownsburg. In the spring of 1907 he engaged in the retail hardware business in Brownsburg, and remained in that connection until the spring of 1910, when he disposed of his business and engaged in the sale of real estate. For two years he worked at this line and in March, 1912, opened up the first garage in town, known as Smith's garage. He also has the di.stinction of having started the first hardware business in the town, and on February i, 19 14, he again opened up a hardware business in connection with his garage. Mr. Smith has been eminently successful in the various business ventures in which he has engaged and in addition to his present thriving business, owns forty acres of land on the eastern edge of Brownsburg besides the property adjoining his residence, also another house and lot and five lots in the Johnson-Hughes addition to Brownsburg and his business property. He has at various times owned dififerent pieces of property in the town, as well as farms in both Marion and Hendricks counties, all of which he has handled in a way to his own rightful advantage. \\'hile engaged primarily in fostering his own interests, Mr. Smith has ever so ordered his principles of private life and business as to win the confidence and respect of those with whom he comes in contact.

On December 29, 1897, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Maud E. Delong, born February 3, 1882, daughter of F. A. and Mollie ( Matthewes) Delong, at present residing near Traders Point, this state. Mrs. Smith, however, was born in Michigan. Her father, F. A. Delong, came originally from Boone county, this state, being the son of David and Sally Delong. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have a family of four children, Elva, Mary, Freeda and Russell, all living with the parents. The family is identified with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Smith is an active and consistent member, and his fraternal affiliations are with the time-honored body of Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. Both IN'Ir. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Daughters of Rebekah. Mr. Smith has all his life been aligned with the Democratic party and has taken an active interest in its affairs. While not an aspirant for office himself, he has taken a keen interest in seeing the right man go into the right place and his influence is a thing reckoned with by those seeking public office. Mr. Smith was elected justice of the peace for his community recently, but refused to serve, at the same time appreciating the honor conferred upon him. He also made the race for county commissioner in 1914. Mr. Smith has always been regarded as a man of high principles, honest in every respect and broad-minded. A man of depth of character, kindness of heart to the unfortunate and ever willing to aid in any way any cause for the betterment of the community and the public with which he has to deal, he is, consequently, held in high favor and the utmost respect by all who know him. Genial and sociable in his temperament, he has a host of friends and retains them throughout the years.

Jonathan Lowe

In the early days, when our state was young and sparsely settled, the riches of the earth seemed inexhaustible, and after the arduous labor of clearing away the grand old forests which covered so much of the ground was accomplished, the pioneer farmer found the land fallow and black, ready to produce bountiful harvests each season, without the necessity for specialized training in the science of food production. But gradually, as the magnificent tracts of forest land became more and more scarce and population increased, more was demanded of the soil. And gradually, also, pests of various kinds multiplied to interfere with the growth and blight the maturity of the fruits of the land, until now, agriculture has become a science in itself, and men of high intelligence and broad education find a profession worthy of their utmost effort. This condition of affairs has brought prominently to the front the broad minded, highly educated, specialized agriculturist of today, and with such a man our sketch has to deal.

Jonathan Lowe, son of Nathan B. and Sarah (Coffin) Lowe, is a splendid example of this class of progressive, up-to-date farmer. Himself a product of Hendricks county, he was born October 4, 1880, in Middle township. Here he spent his boyhood on the farm of his father, attending the town- ship schools, and after grackiating there, taking the full course in the high school at l.izton. This was followetl by two terms in the Central Normal College at Danville.

Mrs. Jonathan Lowe is also a member of a well-known family, being the daughter of William H. Walter, one of the early inhabitants of the county, a successful farmer, and the father of eleven children, as follows: Mrs. Martha Carrie Overstreet; Orrie, deceased; George Elvin and Charles, twins, the latter of whom death claimed in 1912; Mrs. Mertie Keeney; Mrs. Mary A. West; Mrs. Elizabeth Alice Leak; John A.; Jessie Mable, the wife of the subject; Ernest R., and Marion, who died in infancy. Mr. Walter was a member of Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Indiana Volunteers, enlisting shortly before the close of the war and remaining in the service until peace was declared, being mustered out at Indianapolis in July, 1865. He was married in the year 1866 to Anna Eliza Talbert, a native of Hendricks county, and found in her a faithful helpmate and a devoted mother to the children which she bore him. Mr. Walter passed away April 20, 1907. His widow still survixes, a well-known and respected resident of Middle township, this county.

Jonathan Lowe and his wife are widely known for their broad mindedness, activity in church and social affairs and the progressive spirit which dominates their undertakings. Mr. Lowe takes great pride in the upkeep of his buildings and the improvement and development of his farm of forty acres, which is a part of the tract of six hundred and forty acres entered from the government by his maternal grandfather. The famous old beaver dam is located on the south part of this ninety acres, and although it is now mostly filled in, it is an interesting landmark, having formerly been considered the best in the county.

On October 4, 1908, Mr. Lowe was married to Jessie Mable Walter, who also is a native of Hendricks county, and one year later the young couple began their residence on the farm which they now occupy. Two sons, Joel Walter and James Elvin, have come to brighten their home.

Mr. Lowe is of Scotch-Irish descent, through his father, Nathan B. Lowe, the son of William and Grace Lowe, of Backcreek township, Randolph county. North Carolina, honest, sturdy adherents of the Quaker church. In i860 Nathan Lowe migrated to Rush county, Indiana, and a year later came to Hendricks county, where he remained until the day of his death, the 3d day of January, 1903. He was a well-informed, broadminded man, a successful farmer and a useful member of the community.

Early in life he was married to Sarah Coffin, a native of Hendricks county, and to them were born six children: Lydia J. and James (both deceased), Elizabeth Grace, Joseph C, Jonathan and Sarah Alice. His wife was the youngest daughter of Joseph I. Coffin, a large land owner, aggressive in business aii'airs, though quiet and conservative in manner. One of the early settlers in the county, he entered from the government six hundred and forty acres of land, and by his diligent efforts this and much surrounding land was provided with adequate drainage, greatly enhancing its value and rendering much of it available for valuable farming land which otherwise could not have been cultivated. An inherent trait of character was the desire to use the very best methods of work, and to this end he made the first plows which were used in Hendricks county. This trait is still evident in his descendants.

The most modern methods of work are sought and used in all departments of Mr. Towe's work, supplementing his own energy and practical foresight by the use of modern tools and machinery. He is interested in the breeding of live stock, which he considers an essential feature on the successful, modern farm. He is a consistent Republican voter and has taken an active part in politics, while his influence is felt in all movements touching the general welfare of the community. Strictly honest, clean cut and decisive in his dealings, he enjoys the fullest confidence of his associates. The Methodist church at Lizton, of which he and his wife are active members, has shown its faith in his integrity by electing him trustee and treasurer of its board of finance. Altogether he stands for what is highest and best in the life of the modern agriculturist.

John A. Leak

Few farmers in the locality of which this history treats seem to understand better the way in which to manage Indiana soil in order to get the largest returns from it than John A. Leak, of Union township, a man who has succeeded because he has given his exclusive attention to his individual affairs, studied carefully the relation of soil to crops, climate and all the phases relating to improved farming.

John A. Leak was born January 28, 1858, in the township where he has lived his whole life. He is the son of Landrum and Sarah (Leach) Leak, both his father and his mother being natives of Kentucky. Landrum Leak was born in 1818 and came to this county with his parents, James and Elizabeth Leak, in 1835, when he was seventeen years of age. He grew to manhood under pioneer conditions and became a successful farmer in the township. He was twice married, his first marriage being to EvaHne Martin, and the second marriage to Sarah Leach. There was one son born to the first marriage, James M., who died in 1888. To the second marriage were born four children: Mrs. Evaline Jeger, of New Mexico; William L., of Anderson, Indiana; John A., whose history is herein delineated, and George B., a twin brother of John A., who died about 1902. Landrum Leak died in 1890 on a farm in Union township.

John A. Leak received such education as was afforded by his home school in Union township and the two years before his marriage in 1885 he spent in Tennessee. Upon his marriage, Mr. Leak moved to Johnson county near Greenwood, where he farmed for six years ; he then went to Kokomo and entered the grocery business and followed this for the next four years, after which he moved back to Hendricks county and settled on the old homestead farm which he rented for two years. He then bought twentyseven acres one mile south of his present farm, and lived on it three years, when he bought sixty acres where he now lives and later added another forty acres, a total acreage now of one hundred acres. Mr. Leak has been sufficiently progressive to keep abreast of the latest developments in agricultural methods and has won a full measure of prosperity in his present location. He has not only been an important factor in the agricultural life of his community, but he has also been interested in the Citizens Bank at Lizton, in which he is a stockholder and director at the present time.

Mr. Leak was married February 25, 1885, to Nevada Leak, the daughter of James M. and ^^lary (Dickey) .Leak. The biography of James M. Leak, given elsewhere in this volume, gives the ancestry of that branch of the Leak family to which Mrs. John A. Leak belongs. Mr. and Mrs. John A. Leak have two very promising sons living; one son, Warren, died in infancy, the other two sons being Roy and Glenn. Both of the boys graduated from the Lizton high school and later spent two terms in the Central Normal College of Danville. After they began to teach, they spent one year in the State Normal School at Terre Haute in order to qualify themselves for better work in the school room. Roy is now teaching at Stilesville, this county, and Glenn teaches in Marion county, near University Heights.

In his fraternal relations, Mr. Leak is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Lizton, while politically he has long been identified with the

Democratic party, but has never been a candidate for any public office, preferring to devote his attention to his agricultural interests. He has a fine residence, which he has recently remodeled and improved in many ways, a large barn, good outbuildings and various other improvements which render his farm a very attractive place. Mr. Leak is a self-made man in every respect and has been a hard worker all. of his life. He is a pleasant man to meet, congenial in all of his relations with his fellow men and has always make it a point to identify himself with all worthy public measures.

William Henry Applebay

Among the old and highly respected farmers of Hendricks county there is no one who stands higher in the esteem of his fellow citizens than the gallant old veteran whose name forms the caption of this sketch. His threescore and ten years have been spent within the limits of this county with the exception of the two years when he served his country so nobly at the front. For the past fifty years he has been actively engaged in agricultural pursuits in this county and the years of his residence here have but served to strengthen the feeling of admiration on the part of his fellow men, owing to the honorable life he has led and the worthy example he has set the younger generation.

William Henry Applebay, one of the youngest soldiers who enlisted from this county for service in the Civil War, was born in Center township, Hendricks county, Indiana, December 2, 1844. His parents were William and Sebith (Sears) Applebay, the father being a native of Lincoln county, Kentucky, born in 181 5, and his mother a native of Clark county, Kentucky, born in 1818. The grandparents of William Henry Applebay were Philip and Mary (Walker) Applebay, who reared a large family of ten children. After the death of his first wife Philip Applebay married Susan Dancer and to this .second marriage were born seven children. William Applebay, father of the subject of this sketch, came to Hendricks county, Indiana, in 1839, locating in Danville, where he remained for the succeeding eighteen years. He then moved to Franklin township, this county, where he remained until his death, which occurred on May 11, 1863. To Mr. and Mrs. William Applebay were born twelve children : Wesley, who married Sarah Fisher, and they were the parents of three children ; Mary, who married William H. McCloud, and they are both deceased, and to this marriage were born nine children: Maria died unmarried; William H., the immediate subject of this sketch; Mariah, Milton, Susan, David and Xancy, twins, ;\Iartha, Amanda and Isabelle. Nancy, Martha and William H. are unmarried and living today.

When the Civil War broke out William H. Applebay wanted to enlist at once, but on account of his age the local recruiting ofificer would not take him in. As soon as he reached the age of eighteen he enlisted in Company E, Seventy-eighth Regiment, under Captain A. J. Lee, and served two months. Later he enlisted in Company B, of the Fifty-ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Captain J. M. Lee, and was immediately transferred to General Sherman's Twentieth Corps in eastern Kentucky. He was in the eastern part of Tennessee and in March, 1864, started with General Sherman on his memorable march to the sea. He was in all the battles from Resaca, in the northwestern corner of Georgia, through Dalton, Atlanta to Savannah, which was reached on the 25th of December, 1864. He was in the rear and around Atlanta during the months of June and July of that summer. In the spring of 1865 his company was attached to the brigade which went north with Sherman to South Carolina and North Carolina, and he was headed for Greensboro to the surrender of General Johnson to General Sherman in April, 1865, at Greensboro, North Carolina. He served one year and a half in a creditable manner, after which he was mustered out at the close of the service and returned to his home in Hendricks county, Indiana.

When Mr. Applebay enlisted in the army his mother was a widow with a large family of small children. He was their main support, for they were poor and owned no land. He fixed up an old log cabin for them to live in during .his absence, but while he was in the service the owners of the cabin put the mother and children out of their little home. However, she bravely struggled to keep the family together, spinning and weaving and making their clothing and doing a man's work as far as was necessary. She was a woman of strong character and reared her children to honorable and respected manhood and womanhood.

For the past half century !^Ir. Applebay and his two sisters have lived in Franklin township. None of them has ever married, their affection for each other being such that they have always led a very happy existence in their home life together. Here on his farm Mr. Applebay has lived the simple, plain and unostentatious life of a farmer, doing all that came in (34) his way in the best possible manner. Year in and year out he has taken his part in the community's affairs, has been a factor in local politics, although he has never held any office aside from that of district central committeeman. He has always been a factor in the church at Stilesville. In fraternal affairs he has been a Mason for forty years and is one of the best informed men on Masonry in the county. He has passed through all the chairs of the lodge from tyler to worshipful master. It is needless to say that he is a loyal and enthusiastic member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and the Greencastle Post has no more loyal member than Mr. Applebay. He is one of those genial, whole-souled men who always meets every one with a smile. It is his habit to always see the silver lining of the darkest clouds, and his optimistic nature has made him a general favorite with all in the community where he has spent his threescore and ten years. It will not be many years before he will answer the last roll call and when his hearty voice is no more heard in the streets there will have been gone one friend who figured largely in the daily life of this locality. His whole life has been characterized by honesty, truthfulness and all those qualities which mark him as a true citizen..

Eli H. Ross

The history of the Hoosier state dates from December ii, 1816. It is the record of the steady growth of a community planted in the wilderness in the last century and reaching its magnitude of today without other aids than those of continued industry. Each county has its share in the story, and every county can lay claim to some incident or transaction which goes to make up the history of the commonwealth. After all, the history of a state is but a record of the doings of its people, among whom the pioneers and their sturdy descendants occupy places of no secondary importance. The story of the plain, common people who constitute the moral bone and sinew of the state should ever attract the attention and prove of interest to all true lovers of their kind. In the life story of the subject of this sketch there are no striking chapters or startling incidents, but it is merely the record of a life true to its highest ideals and fraught with much that should stimulate the youth just starting in the world as an independent factor.

Eh H. Ross, the son of Alexander and Bethiah (Hurain) Ross, was born March 13, 1848, on the farm in Washington township \\here he is now residing. Alexander Ross was born near Redstone, Pennsylvania, in 1807, and came with his parents to Warren county, Ohio, in 1808. After remaining there a short time, they moved to Hendricks county, Indiana, in 1832, where Alexander Ross bought a farm from Benjamin Abbott Hurain, who had entered same from the government several years before. The wife of Alexander Ross was born August 22, 1809, in Warren county, Ohio, and died June i, 1884. Alexander Ross, who died in 1858, was a farmer and was an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His father, John Ross, was in the War of 1812, and his father, Alexander Ross, greatgrandfather of the subject, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. John Ross had fourteen grandsons in the Union army during the Civil War. He was a resident of Hendricks county and a farmer by vocation.

Eli Ross received his common school education in the schools of Washington township and early in life began to work upon his father's farm. That he was an apt student under his father's tutelage is shown by the fact that he is today one of the most progressive farmers of the township. He was married in 1889 to Linna C. Barker, the daughter of Robert and Dorcas Barker, of Hendricks county. Mrs. Ross was born in this county November 23, 1852. Mr. and Mrs. Ross are both consistent and faithful members of the Wesley Methodist Episcopal church at Avon. Mr. Ross is a member of the Republican party, and has always been more or less interested in political affairs. His party nominated him for township assessor and he was elected, holding the office for four years. He was constable and is at present on the advisory board of the township.

John W. Figg

Whether the elements of success in life are innate attributes of the individual or whether they are quickened by a process of circumstantial development, it is impossible to clearly determine. Yet the study of a successful life, whatever the field of endeavor, is none the less interesting and profitable by reason of the existence of this same uncertainty. So much in excess of those of successes are the records of failures or semi-failures, that one is constrained to attempt an analysis in either case and to determine the measure of causation in an approximate way. But in studying the life history of the well known resident and popular citizen of Amo, whose name forms the caption of this sketch, we find many qualities in his makeup that always gain definite success in any career if properly directed, as his has

John W. Figg, the proper and efficient superintendent of the Plainfield schools, was born in Putnam county, Indiana, December 13, 1859. His parents were Robert P. and Abigal (Layton) Figg. His father was born in Kentucky in 1837 and came to Indiana with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Francis (Asbury) Figg, in 1848 and settled in Putnam county. His mother came from Pennsylvania with her parents to Ohio and later the family settled in Putnam county, this state, where she met Robert Figg. When the Civil War opened, Robert Figg enlisted, in December. 1861. in the Sixtysecond Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and died in March, 1862, at the age of twenty-four, leaving his widow and three small children. John W. Figg, the leading subject of this sketch, was only three years of age at the time. The other two children were Elizabeth, who died at the age of twenty-two, leaving her husband, Joseph Warren, and one son, and Rebecca Olive, who married Myron Stanley. She died at the age of twenty-one, leaving one daughter, Elizabeth.

John W. Figg was reared by his grandfather, Francis Asbury Figg, in Putnam county, and was given a good common school education. As a lad he showed promise of future ability along educational lines, and his grandfather sent him to the Central Normal College at Danville and after that he taught eight years in Putnam county. Then, in order to better prepare himself for teaching, he entered the State Normal School at Terre Haute in 1895 and graduated in 1901. Later he went back and took postgraduate work there. In 1894 he was elected county surveyor of this county, and was re-elected in 1896, but resigned in April, 1898, to take additional work in the State Normal School. In August, 1898, he was elected county superintendent of schools and served in that capacity for three years. In ]\Iay, 1912, he was selected superintendent of the Plainfield schools and has served in that capacity ever since. As a public school superintendent he has been a success, having all of those qualities which a successful superintendent should have. Under his management the schools have increased their enrollment, broadened their curriculum and become an increasingly important factor in the life of the community.

Professor Figg was married in 1883 to Isabell Allee, and after her death, in 1894, he married Osie Stuart, on June 3, 1896. Mr. and Mrs. Zeno Stuart, the parents of Professor Figg's second wife, had seven children, four of whom are still living.

church of Amo, and as a Christian man Professor Figg has wielded a potent , influence in this community, while as a public-spirited citizen he has given his earnest support to all movements for the advancement of the general welfare. He possesses a rare equanimity of temper and kindness of heart, which has won for him the sincere regard of all who know him. His mind is rich with the fruits of a life of reading and observation; in fact, he has believed thoroughly and absolutely in doing well whatever he has undertaken. He has at all times enjoyed the confidence of all those with whom he has associated.