Montgomery County, Indiana - Biographical sketches, 1911 (part 14 of 14)

On September 30, 1893 he was united in marriage to Ora l'«. Johnson, wdio was born in Franklin township, this cmmt}', and here grew to womanhood and was educated, later attending college. She is a daughter of H. S. and Edna (Butler) Johnson, both natives of West X'irginia where they spent their earlier years. The mother is still li\ing. Mrs. Couk was one of three children.

Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cook, three of wiiom are living, namely: Effie, l)orn August 2, 1902: Pearl, born Se])tember 22, 1894;

Mr. Cook began farming for himself when a young man and he has continued this vocation with uninterrupted success to the present time. A good grade of live stock is always to be seen about his place. He specialized on Poland-China hogs and shorthorn cattle, however he finds a general grade of well bred stock is a better paying investment, and now carries out this idea. His finely improved, well tilled and productive farm consists of one hundred and sixty acres, all tillable. He has a comfortable dwelling and good outbuildings.

Bruce C. Pope

One of the satisfied farmers of Brown township, Montgomery county, is Bruce C. Pope, of the Browns Valley locality ; and he should be, for while he does not operate on an extensive scale, he has a neat little farm which keeps him busy and brings in a comfortable income from year to year, so that he and his family live comfortably, and he is devoid of the burdening cares that those who have large business affairs are subject to. Loving the simple life, as advocated by the great preapher-philosopher Wagner, in the little book which Roosevelt praised and recommended, our subject has no ambition to excell in the race for wealth and renown. Therefore he is happy.

Mr. Pope was born in Edgar county, Illinois, August 9, 1863. He is a son of Squire W. and Margaret (Bruce*) Pope. The father was born on February 2, 1822, in Kentucky, where he spent his earlier life. In the days of the gold fever, he was one who braved the dangers of the long overland journey across the great plains to California in the early fifties, aifd he remained on the Pacific coast about five years, "later returning East and locating in Illinois, establishing the family home in Edgar county, where he engaged successfully in farming and where his death occurred on August 11, 1903. He often related his interesting experiences in the far West, and he was a man who was liked by all who knew him.

Bruce C. Pope was reared on the home farm in Ed^ar county. Illinois, and there he did the usual light work and chores when a boy, attending the district .schools in the wintertime. On June 15, 1887, he married Mary A. Meloy, who was born in Illinois on December 18, 1865, and there she grew to womanhood and received a common school education.

Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Pope, all daughters, namely: Bernice is deceased: Amy, Mary F., Ester L. Margaret, Ruth and Merle.

Mr. Pope has always engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is the owner of a \aluable farm of eighty acres in Brown township, which is well tiled, fenced and fertilized, and all under a high state of cultivation but about ten acres, and on it stands a very good group of buildings. Here our subject has lived since 1904, and since taking up his residence in this community he has made a host of good friends.

Politically, he is a Democrat and is loyal in his support of the party. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, and is a steward in the same, taking considerable interest in the affairs of the congregation. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic Order at Waveland, also the Knights of Pythias at Browns Valley, and he also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America.

It is no very rare thing in this land of ours for a man to achieve his ambition in the face of obstacles, accepting assistance from no one. or at least not depending upon others to bring them to the goal sought. One such is Dr. H. M. Bounell, of Waynetown, who has since taking up his residence in this locality occupied a conspicuous place among the professional men of Montgomery county. His record both as a skilled physician and a publicspirited citizen and honorable gentleman, being without reproach, for in every walk of life he is recognized by all classes as a high-minded, talented, courteous gentleman of perfect integrity and genuine moral worth. He is acting well his part in life, and while primarily interested in his own affairs he has not been unmindful of the interests of others, as his interests to ad- vance the public good and promote the welfare of his fellow men abundantly attest. He is eminently worthy of the success he has achieved and of the high esteem in which he is held by all who know him.

Dr. Bounell was born in Lebanon, Indiana, on January 21, 1868. He is a son of Dr. M. H. Bounell. The father, who was a successful practicing physician, was born in 1822, and his death occurred on March 19, 1896. The mother of our subject was born in August, 1882, in this state and she is still living, making her home in Crawfordsville, being now advanced in years. These parents were both well educated, the father hax'ing entered Asbury (now DePauw) University, at Greencastle, Indiana, after passing through the common schools, and the mother attended the common schools and a seminary.

Dr. H. M. Bounell of this sketch received a good common school education, and later attended Purdue University at Lafayette. Indiana. After leaving school he began teaching and taught one year in Montgomery county and one year in Boone county, then went West and taught a year in the state of Washington. He was making a good start as a teacher, but having long entertained a laudable ambition to follow in the footsteps of his father in a professional way he abandoned the school room and took up the study of medicine at the University of Louisville, where he made a splendid record and from which he was graduated with the class of April. 1893. He at once located at Jamestown, Indiana, where he practiced his profession with ever increasing success until March, 1895, when he came to Waynetown, this county, and here he has since remained, building up a large and lucrative practice, and taking a place among the leading physicians of the county. He has kept well abreast of the times, having remained a close student of all that pertains to his profession.

Dr. Bounell was married in April 17. 1895 to Elizabeth Shera, who was born in Boone county. Indiana, Jul}- 2, 1876. She is a representative of a highly respected old family.

The union of our subject and wife has been blessed by the birth of two children, namely: Heath, who was born on April 17, 1901, is attending school; and Ralph, who was born July 3, 1908.

Dr. Bounell is the owner of one hundred and seventy acres of valuable land, a part of which is in Montgomery county and a part in Fountain county. It is nearly all tillable, is well tiled and well improved. The Doctor's home is in Waynetown, and he has a \\ell equipped office near his home.

Politically, he is a Republican, but has never found time lo take a very active part in public affairs. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic Order, including the Blue Lodge and the Scottish Rite degrees, botl^ in W'aynetown. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias. In religious matters h.e holds membership with the Methodist Episcopal church, and is a Iru tee in the same.

C. W. Carter

One of the best known and most representative agriculturists and business men of the northwestern part of Montgomery county is C. W. Carter of Wingate, Coal Creek township, a man who has worked hard and managed well and at the same time has so ordered his ways that he has avoided ofifense to those with whom he has had dealings or come into contact with in any way, being a man of proper conceptions regarding right and wrong and one who believes in following the precepts of the Golden Rule in the every-day affairs as near as possible, consequently he has ever enjoyed the confidence of his neighbors and acquaintances. For many years he was an extensive dealer in hardware at Wingate, but he has recently abandoned that and turned his attention exclusively to his large and valuable farm just on the edge of Fountain county on the west and he has proved that he has the capacity for most any kind of business that he cares to direct his attention to.

Mr. Carter was born on .August 17, i86g in Da\'is township, h'ountain county, Indiana. He is a son of J. F. and Rachael (Washburn) Carter. The father was born on November 18, 1843, in iMiuntain county, and there he grew to manhood, was educated and de\<ite(l his active life successfully to farming and stock raising, being still in that vocation. His wife is also still living. They are the parents of three children, all living.

C. W. Carter received his education in the common schools of Fountaincounty and when a boy worked on the home farm. On May 23, 1893 he was united in marriage to Hattie A. Wilson. She is a sister of J. D. Wilson, whose sketch, containing a history of their parents, will be found on another page of this work. Mrs. Carter received a common school education.

Four children have been born to our subject and wife. iiamel\- : Lloyd is deceased; Avenalle is at home: Leslie and Ruth are the two \t)unger children.

success until 1904 when he came to the town of Wingate and opened a hardware store, and soon built up a very satisfactory and extensive business with the surrounding country, but about a year ago he found it to his advantage to return to the farm, and he is now devoting his attention to general farming and stock raising on a large scale. He has a finely improved and well cultivated farm of two hundred and forty acres just across the line in Fountain county, also land in Fulton county. He has a good grade of live stock and no small part of his annual income is derived from this source. There is a substantial and convenient set of buildings on his land, and he resides in his beautiful, modern bungalow, of nine rooms and neatly furnished, which is one of the most desirable homes in this part of the county.

Politically, Mr. Carter is a Democrat, but he has never been especially active in public affairs, however assists in any way he can in furthering local improvements. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and fraternally is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Wingate.

John R. Coons

In the early days the state of Indiana was often a tempting field to the energetic, ambitious, strong-minded men, and her various counties were filled with them during the time she was struggling up to a respectable position in the sisterhood of states. There was a fascination in the broad field and great promise which the new region of the northwest presented to activity and originality that attracted many men from all over the East and even parts of the South, and induced them to brave all the privations and discomforts of frontier life for the pleasure and gratification of constructing their fortunes in their own way and after their own methods. It is this class of men more than any other who give shape, direction and character to the business of a community, county or state. Of the class just mentioned was the Coons family, one of the earliest to locate within the borders of Montgomery county and here the various members of the family have continued to play an important part in her affairs from that remote pioneer period to the present day, one of the best known members having been the late John R. Coons, who was a man of talent and fine personal traits of character, and for a long lapse of years one of the best known and popular educators of the Wabash Valley country, and also an honored public official. It was a renowned Roman writer who once said, "Pale death strikes with equal force at the turrets of the rich and the hovels of the poor, and distinction, whether of talents of wealth, philosophy, literature or invention, becomes neutral and fades in the presence of death. Naked we come from the invisible world, naked we return thither. Before the final assize, prince and beggar are of the same stature and God is not a respecter of persons." So the life of the subject of this memoir goes cm in fairer realms than ours, wiiile his nieniory continues to be cherished by the host of warm friends whom lie left behind, for the influence of such a man is "not interred with their bones" as Shakspere said in his tragedy of Julius Caesar.

Air. Coons was the scion of a sterling old Southern family, and he was born in the state of Tennessee, on September 28, 1820, on a farm. He was a son of George and Julia Coons, who removed from Tennessee to Indiana in the early twenties, when their son John R., was a small child. They located in the wilds of Montgomery county, where, after hard w ork and close application they established a good home, cleared their land and had a productive farm, enduring the privations and hardships incident to the lives of all frontier settlers, and they were influential among their neighbors and did much for the early development of the community. They continued to reside on the farm here until their children were grown, then moved into the city of Crawfordsville where they spent the rest of their lives, both now having been deceased many years.

John R. Coons received the customar}- pioneer schooling, having attended the rural schools during the brief winter months, w^hen he became of proper age, and in the crop season he worked hard on the home farm. He was of a literary turn of mind and when but a boy showed a great ambition to become educated, and so he did by his own efforts, having remained all his life a close student of miscellaneous works, and was one of the best informed men on general topics in the county and an interesting and pleasing conversationalist. For many years he taught in the country schools of this locality and did a great work in strengthening the schools, winning the hearty commendation of both patrons and pupils. He also took an abiding interest in public affairs and was one of the leaders in Republican politics in Montgomery county, having ever remained faithful to its principles. He was deputy county treasurer for two terms, during which he familiarized himself so thoroughly with the work of the same and was so prompt and courteous in discharging the w ork of the office that the people elected him count\- treasurer and he held the office with abilitv and much credit to himself and to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned. He later was honored by being elected mayor of Crawfordsville and during his administration he did much for the permanent good of the city, proving to be one of the best mayors the city has e\-er had, according to a consensus of opinion. He held this important office a number of years.

After his official career Mr. Coons returned to school teaching, which he continued to follow with his usual success until his death on July 23, 1891.

Mr. Coons was twice married, first to Nancy Thompson. To this union three children were born, namely : Albert, who lives in Waynetown ; Eliza Jane, who is the wife of Austin D. Sumner, of Hillsboro; and George W. of Crawfordsville. Mr. Coons was married to Mrs. Nancy Carolina Graham, on March 29, 1859. She was born on July 18, 1831, and was a daughter of Noble and Lydia Ann Welch of Greencastle, Indiana, who later moved to a farm near Parkersburg, this state. Noble W. Welch was born on June 6, 1791, and died in 1872. Lydia Ann Welch was born on March 30, 1788, and she died in 1873.

Mr. Coons' second wife had previously married Noble B. Graham in 1847. His death occurred on January 2, 1853. To this last union were four children, Martha, a teacher in the Tuttle Building in Crawfordsville; Julia the wife of George M. Henderson, now living in Indianapolis; Flora, who married Sol Tannenbaum, now deceased ; and Wallace, who is foreman of the Crazufordsville Journal.

Fraternally, Mr. Coons was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellov^fS, and in religious matters belonged to the Christian church, and was faithful in his support of the same, and was known to all as a man of integrity and scrupulous honesty.

Charles Goltra

By words and by actions the personality reveals its quality, its force, its direction of purpose. The invisible spirit embodies itself in signs of service and in language. \Vords also are deeds, and actions are syllables of the inner being which we cannot touch, nor weigh. Hence the value of biography, which writes out a life by telling a story of what one has said and done. But since speech is forgotten and actions fade away in the clouds of a distant past, we also listen to those who have been witnesses of the conduct, companions of the journey, sharers of the benefits and benedictions of those who contribute to the uplniilcUiig of the country. With >ucli values of biograpliy in mind, we here set forth the leathng facts in tiie hfe recurd in one of the leading citizens of Crawfordsville and one of Montguuiery county's public spirited and substantial citizens, who has long been prominent in financial circles, as cashier of the Citizens National Bank. Mr. Goltra being a man who has e\er enjoyed the good will and confidence of the people of his city and county.

Charles Goltra, of this review, grew to manhood in Jacksonville, Illinois, and there received a good education in the common schools, and in the fall of 1866 he entered Wabash College, at Crawfordsville, Indiana, remaining there three years, then returned to his native city and entered business, purchasing the Goltra hat store, which place was established in 1837, and for three-quarters of a century was one of the best known business concerns in that section of the Prairie state. Mr. Goltra successfully conducted the same for a period of two years, then came to Crawfordsville in 1871 and opened a gent's furnishing store, under the firm name of Goltra & Babcock, where the First National Bank is now located, and here he met with success from the start, soon enjoying a large patronage. In 1881. in company with Benjamin Wasson, A. F. Ramsey. General Manson and others he organized the Citizens National Bank, in which he started as assistant cashier, which position he held until 1890. when he was elected cashier, and he has continued to discharge the duties of the same to the present time in a manner that reflects much credit upon himself and to the eminent satisfaction of the stockholders and patrons of the bank; in fact, he has been one of the prime factors in this popular and sound institution since its organization. He has kept well abreast of the times in all that pertains to the best methods of banking, and is known to be conservative, scrupulously honest and unvarying in his courteous treatment of others. At present there are only thirteen of the original thirty-one organizers living. The capital stock is one hundred thousand dollars, with a surplus of fifty thousand dollars. Prompt attention is given to collections, and a general banking business is carried on.

Politically, Mr. Goltra is a Democrat and is loyal in his support of party principles. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic Order, having attained the Knights Templar degrees ; he is also a member of the Knights of Pjthias. and the Tribe of Ben-Hur.

many accomplishments and a daughter of Benjamin and Jane Wasson, and a native of Montgomery count}-, Indiana, where she grew to womanhood and was educated. To this union two children have been born, William Wasson, of Crawfordsville; and Marx- who married Luke Wood; they live in California.

Dr. James Lee Brown

The profession of dentistry has a worthy exponent in Montgomery county in the person of Dr. James Lee Brown, of Crawfordsville, who, because of his superior skill, is well known throughout this locality, although he is yet a young man, and who ranks high among his professional brethren in the western part of the Hoosier state, for he was, it seems, well adapted by nature for this vocation, being, in the first place, a student, so that he has kept well abreast of the times in everything that pertains to his work, and he is also the possessor of those personal traits which one must have in order to be popular with the masses. He is a man who can be depended upon, and his hundreds of patients know that they can repose the utmost confidence in him and rely upon his judgment. He is also of a social nature and an optomistic one - he believes in finding the silver lining to every cloud, maintaining that all clouds have such, and that the obstacles we daily encounter on the road of life should but serve to arouse our combative nature, and cause us to accomplish more rather than yield to the perverse rulings of fate.

Dr. Brown was bom in Weverton, Maryland, December 25, 1882, and he is a son of George Wallace Littleton Brown and Jennie Viola (Poiifenberger) Brown. The father was born in the same vicinity as was his son, our subject. He grew to manhood in the Oriole state and there received his education, and spent his life until in the spring of 1890 when he came to Montgomery county, Indiana, as manager of the Postal Telegraph & Cable Company, and he held that position, together with that of the Adams Express Company's agency at Crawfordsville until 1904, giving entire satisfaction to both companies. He was also a real estate agent and was quite active in politics. After leaving Crawfordsville he became assistant right of way agent for the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company with headquarters in St. Louis. He then went with the Cache Valley Railroad Company in Sedgwick, Arkansas, as assistant to the president and general manager, which position he still holds, and he resides at the town of Sedgwick. He is a business man of more than ordinary abilit\- and reourcefulness. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic Order, including the Council : also belongs to the Bene\- olent and P'rotective Order of Elks. Politicall)-, he is a Progressive and is much interested in the new moxement.

Dr. James L. Brown was eight years old when he accompanied his parents to Indiana from Maryland, and he grew to manhood at Crawfordsville, and here was graduated from the high school with the class of 1906. Previous to that, in 1901, he had enlisted in the signal corps of the United States army, and served three years in a most faithful and satisfactory manner, being honorably discharged from the service on April 26, 1904.

After graduating from the local high school he entered the Indiana Dental College, at Indianapolis, there making an excellent record and was graduated with the class of 1909. He soon thereafter opened an office in Crawfordsville and has remained in the practice of his profession here with e\er increasing success, building up a large practice with the city and county.

Dr. Brown was married on April 15, 1909 to Mabel Claire McClelland, of Crawfordsville, a daughter of William E. and Anna (Kenyon) Mc- Clelland. She was born here on February 4, 1886. and here she grew to womanhood and received a good education.

Elijah M. Cox

A leading young business man of Linden is Elijah i\I. Cox, a young man of strong character and principle, one who, ha\ing arrived at a conclusion is not easily driven from his position. He is an example of one who has overcome every obstacle that has threatened to thwart him, for he was early apprised of the fact that the path of life for every one is beset with many things that would impede one in the race for the coveted goal, and he also knew' that the prize is alwa}'s won by the perse\ering, the patient and the deserving.

Mr. Cox was born on September 4, 1874. two miles southwest of Darlington, Montgomery county, Indiana. He is a son of Elijah and Catherine (Mong) Cox. The father was born at the same place as was our subject, the date of his birth being in March, 1849, a son of Elijah and Nancy

Cox, one of the early families of this communit_v, in fact, few names are better known in this part of the county than that of Cox, for here the \arious members have labored as agriculturists, clearing and improving the land, and they have taken much interest in the general progress of the county, and have borne good reputations. It will be noticed that the name Elijah has been a favorite in this famih- for a number of generations. The grandparents of our subject were natives of North Carolina from which state they came to Montgomery county, Indiana, as early as the memorable year 181 2, having made the long journey on horseback. Here the elder Cox found a vast wilderness, roadless and the abode of Indians. But he was a man of courage and self-reliance and here he braved the hardships and established the future home of the family, continuing farming here until within a few years of his death, when he removed to Darlington where his death occurred in 1887 at an advanced age. He was a Republican, and a Quaker. His wife preceded him to the grave in 1871. Their son, Elijah, worked on the home farm until after his marriage when he removed to a farm near Garfield Station, which he operated successfully until his death on July 4, 1908. Like his father before him he became well and favorably known here and was an enterprising farmer. His widow is still living, making her home four miles south of Darlington. They were the parents of six children, namely: Elijah M., of this sketch; Mabel, wife of Jessie Hale, who lives one mile west of New Market; Ashley, who lives south of Darlington; Zelda, who married Elmer Hofifman lives two miles east of Darlington; Lena is the wife of Bert Hale who lives east of Veedersburg; Salome is at home.

Elijah M. Cox, subject of this sketch, grew to manhood on the home farm and he was educated in the common schools, and worked on a farm until 1898 when he came to the town of Linden where he has since been engaged in the automobile and livery business, also drayage. He has been very successful and has enjoyed a constantly growing business. He is exceptionally well equipped in every respect for the successful carrying on of this line of endeavor, and prompt and honest service is his aim.

Mr. Cox was married on October 6, 1897 to Jessie Milner, of Darlington, her birth having occurred just west of there, and she grew to womanhood and was educated in that ^-icinity.

Politically, Mr. Cox is progressive in his ideas. He belongs to Linden Lodge, No. 350, Free and Accepted Masons; also Linden Lodge, No. 484. Knights of Pythias. He is a member of the Christian church.

Prof. James Harvey Osborne

Although a school man in the broadest sense of the term and as such. making every other consideration secondary to his professional duties, Professor James Harvey Osborne, of Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Indiana, has never become narrow or pedantic as have so many whose lives have been spent in intimate association with the immature minds within the four walLs of the schoolroom. Pie is a well rounded, symmetrically developed man, fully alive to the demands of the times, thoroughly informed on the leading questions before the public and takes broad views of men and things. By keeping in touch with the times and the trend of current thought he is enabled to discharge the duties of citizenship in the intelligent manner becoming the level headed American of today, and his acquaintance with the history of the country and its institutions makes him, in the true meaning of the word, a politician, although he has in every way avoided any public connection with politics as we usually use the term. He l>elieves in progress in other than the profession to which he belongs and, to attain the end, manifests an abiding interest in whatever makes for the material, moral and civic advancement of the community, encouraging all worthy enterprises and lending his influence to means whereby his fellow men may be benefited.

Professor Osborne was born on July 29, 1857 near Roachdale, Putnam county, Indiana. He is a son (^f John Joseph Osborne, who was born on October 4, 1828 in Kentucky, and when two years old. in 1830, his parents brought him to Putnam county, Indiana, where he grew to manhood, received such education as the schools of these early days afforded, ami there spent the rest of his life engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was always interested in' public affairs and was influential in the ranks of the Repul)lican party. He was an elder in the Presbyterian church in the early part of his life. His death occurred near Bainbridge, Indiana, in January, 1908. The mother of our subject was born on March 28, 1833, near Bainbridge, this state, and her death occurred on December 26, 191 1. To John J. Osborne and wife five children were born, all living but one. namely : Mrs. Mary E. Allison; George C. is deceased; James H., of this review; Caroline B.. who married a Mr. Hutchins; and Jennie Josephine who has remained single.

Professor Osborne received his early education in the common schools of his native community, and he grew to manhood on the home farm. Later in his boyhood days he entered Wabash College, where he made an excellent record for scholarship and was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of

Arts with the class of 1879. The degree of Master of Arts was conferred on liim by this institution in 1885. He was a student of law for two years in Crawfordsville. He did not, however, find Blackstone and Kent as much to his liking as a career of teaching so finally gave up the idea of a legal course. He became tutor in Wabash College until 1885, then was made assistant principal in the preparatory department, which position he held until 1893, then became associate professor of mathematics and Latin, then for two years he was professor of history here and from 1900 to the present time he has filled the chair of associate professor f mathematics and Latin. As an instructor he has given eminent satisfaction to all concerned and has been a favorite with the hundreds of pupils who have come under him, for he is both an instructor and entertainer in the school room, and, having remained a profound student, he has kept fully abreast of the times in all that pertains to the branches which he teaches.

Professor Osborne was married on May 21, 1881 to Grace A. Insley, of Crawfordsville, who was born on October 21, 1881 at Sugar Grove, Tippecanoe county, Indiana. When a child, her parents brought her to Crawfordsville where she grew to womanhood and was educated, passing through the common and high schools. She is a daughter of James J. and Adeline (Montgomery) Insley. Her mother was a daughter of Isaac Montgomery.

To our subject and wife three children have been born, namely : Helen, born June 3, 1885, married Harley T. Ristine ; she attended high school and studied music; Mr. Ristine is an attorney in Crawfordsville. James I., the Professor's second child, was born February 25, 1887, is a graduate of Wabash College, class of 1906; he later spent a year at Colmnbia University, New York City, and he is now a student at Oxford, England, having been granted a Rhode's scholarship. Elsie Eleanor, youngest of our subject's children, was born on June 18, 1889, received her education in the schools of Crawfordsville and in Northwestern University, at Chicago, and later studied at Depauw University, Greencastle, and she is now engaged in teaching in the city schools of Crawfordsville.

Professor Osborne owns a pleasant home adjoining the campus of Wabash College, and he owns a productive and well improved farm in Putnam county.

Politically, the Professor is a Republican. He is a member of the Center Presbyterian church, and has been a ruling elder in the same for nearly twenty years. He has an honorary scholarship in the Phi Beta Ksfppa fraternity, a society for the promotion of scholarship and friendship among

Montgomery Couxtv, I.Vmiana. 1 275

In placing the name of the late Da\id F. McClure in the front rank of Crawfordsville's business men of a past generation, simple justice is done to a biographical fact, universally recognized throughout Montgomery county by those at all familiar with his history. David F. McClure was a native son of the old Blue Grass state, his birth having occurred in Bath county, Kentucky, on the 15th of December, 1829. He was reared under the parental roof and he was employed during his youth much as the average farmer's boy. The first money he earned was at farm work, for which he received eight dollars a month. Sometime prior to 1850 Mr. McClure came to Montgomery county, Indiana, with which section he identified himself during the remainder of his life. He had the "business instinct" and was early impressed with Crawfordsville as a commercial center, so he decided to cast his lot here. It was not long until he was able to .start into business and the "Trade Palace," as his earl}- store was named, soon gained not only a large and rapidly-growing trade throughout the surrounding country, but its proprietor was at the same tune acquiring a reputation as a man of honor and integrity in all his dealings. Mr. McClure formed a partnership with Frank H. Fry, and, after the latter's death, with his son, W. S. Fry, the latter partnership lasting but a short time. Mr. McClure then conducted the business, when he took in as a partner his son-in-law, George W. Graham, the business being conducted by them for some years, when Mr. McClure withdrew and during the following two years he was engaged in the banking business at Ladoga. Indiana, in partnership with W. H. Durham. In 1892 the Craw fords ville store, known then as "The Busy Store," was run under the firm name of McClure & Graham and Mr. McClure remained actively interested in the business until 1897, when he disposed of his interests to Mr. Graham and confined his attention to his splendid farm, in which he took considerable pride. Mr. McClure took an active and intelligent interest in current alifairs up to the time of his death and was always found in support of all worthy movements for the advancement of the community in any way. His death occurred on November 6, 1904, and his passing away was considered a distinct and irreparable loss to the community in which he had lived and labored to such goodly ends.

Mr. McClure was married to Elizabeth Carter in 1857; she was born in Shelby county, Kentucky. To this union were born two children, Walter Bright A'IcClure, deceased, and Nancy F., who became the wife of the late George W. Graham, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work.

Mr. McClure was a member of the Mexican War Veterans, having ser\'ed during that struggle as a volunteer from Kentucky under General Butler, and giving to his country faithful and loyal service. Religiously, he was a member of the Presbyterian church, in the support of which he gave liberally of his time and means. He was one of the prime movers in the organization of the Young Allen's Christian Association at Crawfordsville. He was indeed a man among men and enjoyed to a notable degree the confidence of the communitv.

George W. Graham

Praise is always due to merit, and especially where merit is the product of unassisted energy and perseverance. The self-made man commands our highest respect. Those struggles by means of which he has risen from obscurity to honorable distinction cannot fail to enlist sympathy and call forth the warmest applause. The record of a life well spent, of triumph over obstacles, of perseverance under difficulties and steady advancement from a modest beginning to a place of honor and distinction in the commercial world, ])resents an example worthy of emulation and is of value to the rising generation. On the roster of the names of those who were prominently identified with the growth and development of Crawfordsville and Montgomery county, that of the late George W. Graham merits a place of honor. From his young manhood until his death he was a resident of this city and during these years his energies were effectively directed along normal lines of business enterprise through which he made distinct contribution to the progress of this favored section of the commonwealth. His life was one of signal integrity -and usefulness and such was his association with business and civic affairs in Crawfordsville that it is eminently proper that a record of his strenuous, varied, useful and honorable career be perpetuated in this publication.

George W. Graham was born at Piedmont, Virginia, on April 30, 1857, and was the son of James and Catherine Graham. He was reared under the parental roof and attended the common schools of the same neighborhood, applying himself very closely to his text books. In the year 1872 he came to Aliincie, Indiana, and there began his business eareer by learning the trade of a jeweler with an uncle. In 1875 Mr. Graham came ti> Crawfordsville and for a time was in the employ of a cousin, AI. C Klein, with whom he entered into partnership a short time afterwards. In the early nineties Air. Graham, having by that time a good start, associated himself with his fatherin-law, David F. McClure, in the dry goods business, with which line of endeavor he W'as very successfully identified up to the time of his death. Some years after forming the partnership, McClure retired from the business and thereafter Air. Graham conducted the store alone, with continued gratifying, results until January i, 1908, when the business was incorporated under the name of The George W. Graham Company, under which name it is still being conducted, and is one of the best known firms of its kind in this section of the state. Starting in as a strictly drygoods store, the business was gradually broadened in scope until it included many departments, and the "Busy Store" became one of the largest and best known department stores in western Indiana, an enormous annual business being done, and their thousands of well pleased and satisfied customers were drawn from a radius of many miles. Intense application, unswerving determination, resourcefulness, business foresight marked Air. Graham; also energy and capacity for work were among his most notable characteristics and his untiring devotion to his business was in a large measure undoubtedly responsible for the breaking down of his health. Mr. Graham had unbounded faith in Crawfordsville and in the development of this city he was an important factor, his personal efforts and influence being at all times given to movements for the advancement of the best interests of the community. His integrity was of that stanch character that at once inspired confidence and his business ability had been so unmistakably demonstrated that his advice was frequently sought by others. Aside from his store. Air. Graham was also associated with D. W. Rountree in the buying and shipping of wool, in which they were successful. For a third of a century Air. Graham was nutnbered among the best citizens of Crawfordsville, for even in his younger days his life was such as to give promise of his later success and prosperity, he being in his later years recognized as one of the leading merchants of the state. His death occurred on September 7, 1908, just at the time when he was realizing the fruition of his plans in business and when life seemed to him brighter than e\'er before. The "Busy Store" is now under the management of Mrs. Graham, who has shown business qualifications of the highest order and who is successfully carrying forward the work so auspiciously inaugurated by her husband.

On September 21, 1878, occurred the marriage of George W. Graham and Nancy F. McClure, the daughter of David F. McClure, who is represented elsewhere in this work. To this union was born one daughter, now Mrs. Elizabeth Linn who, with her mother, survive.

Mr. Graham was a man of rare business ability by nature, and most of the great success which attended the noted store with which he was connected was directly due to his untiring efforts, whose absolute devotion to his business and untiring and persistent efforts were the subject of comment among those who were cognizant of his daily life. He was also a man who possessed strong domestic tastes and was very devoted to his home and family, finding his greatest enjoyment therein.

The time-honored order of Free and Accepted Masons found in Mr. Graham an appreciative member and he held membership in all the bodies of the York Rite, including Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council and Commandery, having served as eminent commander of the last named body. He was also a prominent member of the Supreme Tribe of Ben-Hur, in the original organization of which he took a prominent part and was the first past chief of Simonides Court. Politically, he gave his support to the Republican party, though he was never a seeker after public ofifice of any nature. Kindly and genial in his relations with others, Mr. Graham easily made friends and all who came in contact with him were inspired with feelings of respect and admiration, for "he stood four square to every wind that blew," and was ever true to every trust reposed in him, besides being a genial, companionable, obliging gentleman of never failing courtesy.

Benton Switzer

The old-fashioned notion that hard work, patient industry and farsightedness make for success in the various avenues of life, does not seem to be accepted so universally in our day. The spread of pessimism engendered in many phases of our complex life is in a great measure responsible for lack of faith in the old idea. However, if we observe conditions, closely we will find that the intelligent individual who leads a practical and industrious life will reach a point of success commensurate with his efforts. The life- of Benton Switzer, one of the leading agriculturists and stock men of Union township, Montgomery county, will afford us an instance of this, for he is an advocate of persistency, honesty and the adoption of modern methods in his vocation, the economy of labor, and he therefore gets tlie largest results possible from the minimum amount of labor and expense. It is a delight to look over his well-cared-for acres, his sleek, well-bred livestock and to visit his neatly kept home, for he believes in having system about everything he does, and this is perhaps very largely due to his pronounced success in his chosen field of endeavor.

Mr. Switzer was born in W'ayne township, Montgomery county, Indiana, March 19, 1862. He is a son of John A. and Maria (Stout) Switzer. The father was born in the above named township and county on June 11, 1833. He is a son of James and Mary (Donaldson) Switzer. James Switzer was born in Kentucky in 1804. He was a son of John Switzer. It was in the early twenties that James and Mary Switzer moved to Montgomery countv, and entered land in Wayne township, which they developed from the wilderness and there made a good home. They were the parents of six children, namely: William, Abram, John A., Milton, Eliza, who is the wife of John Vaughan; Isabelle, who is the wife of Alex McClure; only two are now living, Abram and Mrs. McClure. James and Mary lived their entire lives on the home farm in Wayne township. James died in 1887.

John A. Switzer received the usual educational training in the common schools of those early days, and he spent his boyhood days working on the home farm, later engaged in the grocery business at Thorntown for two years, then went back to Waynetown where he engaged in the hardware business for one year. He was very successful in these lines of business, but the country having stronger allurements, he returned to the farm where he remained until his death on October 20, 1906. Politically, he was a Republican, and in religious matters a member of the Methodist church. He belonged to the Horse Thief Detective Association. Maria Stoutt was a native of Fayette county, Indiana, and was a daughter of Wilson and Esther Stoutt. early settlers in that county. She was born on August 29, 1837 and is still living.

Benton Switzer received a fairly good common school education and he worked on his father's farm until he was twenty-one years of age, then got a share in the farm. He has always engaged in general farming and stock raising, and is the owner of two hundred and ninety acres of excellent land, which he has brought up to a high state of cultivation and improvement, all under the plow. He has a good home and substantial outbuildings. He handles live stock for the market and no small portion of his annual income is derived from that source.

Politically, Mr. Switzer is a Republican, and he belongs to the Methodist church; He is also a member of the Horse Thief Detective Association.

Mr. Switzer was united in marriage to Lucy Atkinson in 1814. Her death occurred in 1897, and on May 2^, 1900 he was united in marriage to Clelie M. Brown, a daughter of the late Salen and Mary (Hamilton) Brown. Mrs. Brown is a native of Fountain county. Salen Brown was a native of Montgomery county. His death occurred in 1883. Mrs. Brown is still living at the age of sixty-seven years.