Randolph County, Indiana - Biographical sketches (2 of 2 so headed), 1914 (part 10 of 20)

G. William Mills

One of the progressive farmers and, stock raisers of Randolph county is G. William Mills, at present county commissioner and a scion of one of our sterling old families. He is a man who has always known how to appreciate the true dignity of labor and to place a correct estimate upon the value of money and he has worked hard for what he now possesses. Nevertheless, he is liberal in his benefactions and stands ever ready to support with his influence and means all measures for the material and moral welfare of the community in which he has so long resided.

Mr. Mills was born in Washington township, Randolph county, March 24, 1859. He is a son of Joel and Cynthia (Beard) Mills. Joel Mills was born in Wayne county, Indiana, January 6, 1833. He was a son of Aaron and Rebecca (Small) Mills. He grew up on the farm in his native county and received a fairly good education in the common schools. When sixteen years old he begain learning the carpenter's trade, receiving thirty-seven and one-half cents per day for his labor, and he spent practically his entire life in the contracting business, covering almost the entire county of Randolph and much of Wayne county, and was known as a skilled and honest workman. Politically, he was a Republican and was trustee of Washington township for two terms, was also county commissioner for one term, filling both offices exceptionally well. In 1895 he retired to the farm he had acquired, his health having induced him to give up the more exacting business of contracting, and his death occurred on April 7, 1898. He and Cynthia Beard were married November 10, 1855. She was born May 19, 1840, and was therefore but fifteen years old when she married. She was a daughter of William and Lydia (Cox) Beard. William Beard was born in North Carolina about 18 12 and he came to Randolph county, Indiana, August 9, 181 5, with his parents, who were thus among the earliest settlers here. His parents were Paul and Hannah Beard. William Beard devoted his life to farming and died in 1857, his wife preceding him to the grave in 1847. Both these families were very active and useful in the Friends church. Doctor Cox, grandfather of Mrs. Mills, was a minister in that church. Mrs. Mills is still livirig and is an acknowledged minister in the Friends church. Six children were born to Toel Mills and wife, namely : Caroline E. ; G. William (our subject) ; Dr. Cassius C, born September 24, 1861, is practicing medicine at Muncie; Martin Luther, born April 24, 1864, is a merchant at Winchester; Rose Alma, born December 31, 1867, is the wife of William Edwards, a farmer of Washington township, this county; Eva Nora, born February 22, 1874, is at home.

G. William Mills worked on the farm in his boyhood and received a common school education. In 1880 he branched out for himself and farmed with success until 1900, when he moved to Lynn. In 1905 he was elected county commissioner on the Republican ticket, and he made such a commendable record that he was re-elected in 1908 and is now serving his second term to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned. He still manages a farm of several hundred acres, where general farming and stock raising are carried on extensively. He is a worthy rhember of the Friends church.

Mr. Mills was married March 27, 1880, to Mary E. Meredith, who was born in Highland county, Ohio, April 10, 1859. To this union one child has been born, Cynthia May, now the wife of Frank M. Johnson, a farmer of Washington township. They have two children, viz. : Joel Mills Johnson and Helen M. Johnson.

Adam R. Hiatt

One would find it necessary to search long and far to find a farm kept in better condition or managed under more up-to-date methods than that of Adam R. Hiatt, a progressive and honored citizen of Washington township, Randolph county, for he has not only worked hard and persistent in keeping everything in its proper place, but has been a student of local conditions and has widely read much literature as pertains to advanced methods of husbandry, so that he has been enabled to reap just rewards for his pains and labors from year to year, and, owing to the superb system of his operations, he.accomplishes more at a less expenditure af labor than do most men. When he first began his career he learned that "haste makes waste"' very frequently, and while he has endeavored to do everything with dispatch and neatness, he has always realized that there are times when rushing methods are not the best, when patience must be exercised. Himself a pioneer, he is a scion of one of the early-day Hoosier families, members of which have sought to do their full duty in the affairs of the communities where they have dispersed.

Mr. Hiatt was born January 9, 1837, on a farm near Bethel, Wayne county, Indiana. He is a son of Enos and Nancy (Miller) Hiatt. The father was born August 28, 1805, in Guilford county, North Carolina, and from there the family removed to Wayne county, Indiana, in 1810, and settled on a farm when that locality was practically a wilderness and they endured the usual hardships and privations incident to pioneer life. The Mil- ler family originally lived near Versailles, Woodford county, Kentucky, being among the earliest families in the "dark and bloody ground" country. Grandmother Miller often told interesting stories of the Indians, who were numerous in that country when she was a girl. Once they made an attack on the Miller cabin and her mother was seized by an Indian who raised his tomahawk to brain her, when she wrenched loose, seized an axe and killed the red man. His tribesmen later retaliated by killing her husband the first time they ran onto him in the woods. Elevai children were born to Enos Hiatt and wife, namely: William, Adam R. (subject of this sketch), Rachel, Sallie, Elizabeth, Cornelius, Harrison T., Jabez, Martha A., Mary C, and George V.

Adam R. Hiatt grew up amid pioneer environments and he was compelled to work hard on the home farm when a boy. The advantages for an education in those days were very limited and he received little more than the knowledge of how to read and write, but in after life he has become a well informed man by wide home reading and contact with the world. Early in his youth he took up farming for a livelihood and this he has continued to the present time with ever-increasing success, remaining many years in Wayne county, finally removing to Randolph county and locating in Washington township, where he now owns a large, well-improved and productive farm, on which stands a substantial and convenient set of buildings and where an excellent grade of livestock may always be found, everything about his place denoting good management and thrift. He has worked hard and in his earlier years was a man of exceptional physical strength, and although he is now seventy-seven years of age he is still hale and hearty, as a result, very largel}' of his clean personal habits and methods of high thinking-.

Mr. Hiatt was married May 27, 1855, at Bethel, Indiana, to Lucinda Wolf, who was born July 5, 1837, on a farm near Bethel, Wayne county, where she grew to womanhood and received a meagre education in the oldtime rural schools. She has proved to be a faithful and genial helpmeet, and has borne her husband seven children, named as follows : Mary P., who married John D. Flatter; Cassius F., who married Cora Fulghum; Alvin I., who married Cora V. Chenoweth ; Elmer P is deceased ; Harrison, who married Grace Anderson, who is deceased; Carrie C, who married Elmer E. Chenoweth; Ida Maud, who married Frank Chamness. These children were all given proper educational advantages and are all well situated in life and well liked wherever they are known. Two of the sons conduct a large hardware and furniture store in the town of Lynn, Indiana.

.he has never departed, and has been an elder inihe church of this denomination for over tv^^enty-five years, and he and his family are faithful in their support of the church. Politically, he is a Progressive. Pie is a man of public spirit and has done much for the general upbuilding of his township and county. Pie was a member of the board of commissioners of Randolph county from 1885 to 1890, was justice of the peace four years, and was assessor four years. As a public servant he proved most faithful and efficient, winning the hearty approval of all concerned, irrespective of party alignment. Fraternally, he has been a member of the Free and Accepted Masons since boyhood and his every-day life would indicate that he has made an effort to live up to its sublime precepts. He is a man of progressive ideas, ready to adopt new methods of agriculture when he sees they are practical. He was one of the first to purchase the self-binder in this locality, also among the first to secure other improved farming machinery. Mr. Hiatt was one of the first men of Randolph county to advocate the building of macadamized roads and to help build the first one. His home is known as a place of old-time hospitality, and, as a result of his numerous estimable characteristics he is held in highest esteem by a very wide circle of acquaintances and friends.

Cfiarles F. Halliday

If there is one thing which distinguishes the American business man from those of any other country it is the faculty with which any and all occupations are readily taken up by him and made successful. In the older countries it was customary for the son to follow the father's pursuit. It is in such countries as the United States that full swing can be given to the energies of the individual. A man may choose any business or profession he desires, and he is limited only by competition. He must meet the skill of others and give as good service as they or he will not get the position, or business, as the case may be. Such adaptation to any work or business is well shown in the career of Charles F. Halliday, one of the substantial and influential men of affairs of Randolph county, a banker of Parker.

Mr. Halliday was born in Randolph county January 11, 1862. He is a son of Elias F. and M. Jane (Ringo) Halliday, whose family consisted of five sons and one daughter, namely: William R., a druggist at Lynn, Indiana, m;arried Ella F. Stafford, and they have three daughters, Olive G., Ada FT and Bernda; Waldo M., who lives at Long Beach, California, married Elizabeth Neal, of Randolph county, and they have one son, Herbert

Garfield; Flora R., of Farmland, married Philip M. Bly, a banker, and they have two children; J. Garver, a banker of Farmland, married Minnie Edwai-ds, and they have one child, Geraldine; Charles F., of this sketch; George Lincoln, of Indianapolis, is state agent for the Ohio Cultivator Coinpany; he married Laurel M. McKenzie, of Eellevue, Ohio, and they have one child, Justine.

Charles F. Halliday grew to_^ manhood in his native county, and in Farmland he received a good education in the public schools, later attending a commercial college in Dayton, Ohio, from which he was graduated. His father was a farmer and he remained with him on the home place until he was twenty-three years old, then worked in a claim ofifice for two years, then was employed in the State Bank at Farmland for seven years, after which he was employed by the Ohio Cultivator Company, of Bellevue, Ohio, for a period of five years. In all three positions he gave eminent satisfaction, winning the confidence and trust of his employers and showing himself eminently capable in every way. Upon invitation he came to Parker, Randolph county, after leaving the Ohio concern mentioned above, and organized the now popular and well-known Parker Banking Company in December, 1899, with a capital stock of ten thousand dollars, and his wise counsel and able assistance made it a pronounced success from the first and its growth has been rapid and constant. On March 15, 1913, this sound and safe institution was re-organized as a state bank, with a capital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars, but retaining its former name. Mr. Flalliday has been cashier of this institution since it was first organized, and his service of fifteen years in this connecton has been eminently satisfactory to the patrons and stockholders of the bank. For a number of years he has been a director of the Parker Telephone Company, and did much to make it a pronounced success.

Politically, Mr. Halliday is a Republican, but he has never been specially active in political matters. His father was county commissioner tor a period of six years, and was incumbent of that ofifice when the court-house and jail were built. He did much for the general good of the county. He also served as treasurer of Randolph county for four years, during the Civil war period, from 1861 to 1865.

Charles F. Halliday was married to Sarah L. Jones, of Delaware county, a daughter of William W. and Rebecca Jones, who spent their lives engaged in farming. Their family consisted of five children. Mrs. Halliday grew to womanhood in her native community and was educated in the common schools. She is purely a home woman, devoted to her family.

The union of our subject and wife has been blessed by the birth of three children, namely: Rebecca Jane, born June 19, 1894, was educated in the local schools and DePauw University, and is employed under her father in the bank at Parker; Adah Florence, born May 24, 1900; Helen Elizabeth, born September 6, 191 1.

Mr. Halliday is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his famih^ attend the Methodist Episcopal church.

Thomas Clarence Love

One of the native young men of Randolph county who has been wise in deciding to spend his life in his own locality is Thomas Clarence Love, now engaged in the feed business in the town of Lynn. He seems to be the possessor of those characteristics that make a definite degree of success wherever found, for he is not only industrious, believing in keeping his shoulder to the wheel, but is broad-minded and honorable, knowing that while one may beat his fellow men successfully for a time, in the end it does not pay and he is sure to be found out, thus ruining his reputation among his acquaintances which prevents to a large extent the successful carrying on of any large business, especially in a small town where everybody knows intimately everybody else.

Mr. Love was born in Greens fork township, I^andolph county, October 8, 1886. He is a son of Thomas A. Love, who was born in i860, and is a son of Lindsey and Mary Love. Thomas A. Love received a fairly good education and he grew to manhood on the home farm and worked there until his marriage, in 1881, when he espoused Clara Moody, who died in 1886, after which he went to Kansas and engaged in farming until 1896, when he left the Sunflower state and returned to Randolph county and resumed farming, which he continued with success tmtil his death, in 1907. Politically, he was a Republican, but was never an office seeker, preferring to lead a quiet life on his farm. He was a member of the Friends church, and fraternally he belonged to the Knights of- Pythias.

The mother of Thomas C. Love died when he was two weeks old, and he was reared by his grandparents, the Moodys. He worked on the farm of Grandfather Moody when a boy during the summer months and in the winter time attended the common schools of Lynn, graduating from the grade schools in 1904, after which he continued to work on his grandfather's farm until 19 13, when he left the farm and took up well drilling until August

2 1 St of that year, when he purchased the feed exchange in Lynn, which he is now successfully conducting, and is building up a large and lucrative trade. He handles all kinds of feed, and has a modern grist mill, where he grindsfeed in any manner desired. He handles the following brands of flour, both in wholesale and retail lots : "Gold Medal," "Richmond Fancy," "Carpenter," and "I-Am-Boss." He handles all kinds of coal and has quite a large trade in coal as well as feed and flour. He keeps at all times oats,, grasses, salt and stock foods. He also has an automobile agency.

Mr. Love was married December 25, 1907, to Edna May Chenoweth, who was born in Randolph county, December 20, 1889. She is a daughter of Benjamin F. and Hannah Chenoweth, a well-known family of this county. She grew to womanhood and was educated in her native community.

Stephen Clevexger

During the sixty-six years that Stephen Clevenger has passed in Randolph county momentous changes have taken place, and in these he has not by any means been an idle spectator, but has done much as an enterprising business man and public-spirited citizen to encourage the general progress of the same. He is the scion of a worthy old pioneer famil}-, the name Clevenger having been a familiar one throughout this localit}- since the early forties and it has always stood for industry and good character. After a long and successful career as a business man and farmer our subject is now living in honorable retirement in his pleasant home in Winchester. He is one of our honored veterans of the Civil war and one of our worthiest nati\'e sons.

^Ir. Clevenger was born on October 27, 1847, in Greensfork township,. Randolph county. He is a son of Thomas and ]^Iary Ann (Clanin) Clevenger. These parents were both natives of Ohio, the father of Warren county, and they grew to maturity and were married in their native state; shortly after their marriage they removed to Randolph county, Indiana, ia 1844, and here established the permanent home of the famih- on the farm, which they developed by hard work. In this county they spent the rest of their lives, the father dying on December i, 1889, and the mother joined him in the spirit-land on August 3, ^892. They had, however moved in 1863 to a farm four miles east of Winchester in White River township. Thomas Clevenger became one of the largest land owners and most prosperous farmers in this vicinity. His family consisted of ten children, eight of whom grew to maturity.

Stephen Clevenger grew up on the home farm where he did the usual chores assigned to a boy. He was educated in the district schools. When only seventeen years of age he proved his courage by enlisting in Company A, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry in which he served very faithfully until the close of the war in the famous Army of the Potomac, also served in the Shenandoah valley. He bore the hard service he saw without a murmur and was honorably discharged on August 15, 1865. After the war he returned home and continued farming in White River township until 1 88 1 when he moved to Winchester and engaged in the coal and building material business. Through the exercise of good judgment, industry and honest dealings he prospered and continued in this business for a period of thirty years, during which period he ranked among the leading business men of the county-seat. Accumulating a competency he retired from active life in 191 1, however he supervises his fine farm of two hundred and sixty acres in W^hite River township. It is well improved and on it stands an excellent group of buildings, and here general farming and stock raising are carried on extensively.

Mr. Clevenger has been twice married, first, on September 23, 1873 to Julia A. Jobes, daughter of Dr. George O. and Evaline Jobes. The father was a prominent physician of Farmland for many years, later in life moving to Indianapolis where he engaged in the drug business, and where his death occurred a few years ago. The death of Mrs. Clevenger occurred on May 8, 1883, and on November 10, 1893 our subject was united in marriage with Mrs. Sarah Ellen Gebhard, a daughter of Simon P. Hewett, of Miamisburg, Ohio, of an early pioneer family of that state. To this second union one son was born, Thomas Reed Clevenger, whose birth occurred on August 13, 1894. He was graduated from the Winchester high school.

Politically, Mr. Clevenger is a Republican and has long been very active in public matters. He served as a member of the city council for twelve consecutive years and many of the important public improvements were consummated during that period. He has also served as a member of the Republican County Central Committee at various times. He is a member of Nelson Trusler Post, No. 60, Grand Army of the Republic. He was a (78) delegate to the state encampment in 1913. He is a member of the Masonic order, and all intermediate degrees up to the thirty-second degree. He is a charter member of Winchester Commandery, Nor 53, in which he has filled all the chairs. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Encampment and has filled all the chairs in the same. He has represented this lodge to the Grand Lodge and also the Encampment to the Grand Encampment. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Improved Order of Red Men. He is one of the most popular lodge men m the county, and this speaks much for his standing and character as a citizen and neighbor.

Thomas H. Condon

One of the men who has stamped the impress of his strong individuality upon the minds of the people of Randolph county is Thomas H. Condon, , well known grain and coal dealer of Parker. He has so ordered his career since taking up his abode in our midst that he has become one of the conspicuous characters of this locality. Faithfulness to duty and a strict adherence to a fixed purpose, which always do more to advance a man's interests than wealth or advantageous circumstances, have been dominating factors in his life, which has been replete with honor and success worthily attained. He is a scion of a sterling old Irish family, and many of the strong characteristics of his progenitors have been revealed in him, and he has been most vigilant in keeping unsmirched the good name of the Condons, who have always been noted for their unswerving honesty, their readiness to assist in all worthy enterprises for the good of their neighbors and the community in general in which they resided.

Mr. Condon, of this review, was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, May 26, 1856. He is a son of David and Margaret (Hayes) Condon, and is one of eleven children, being the eldest; the others were named Dennis, who lives in Chicago and is on the police force there; John, who is engaged in merchandising at Momence, Illinois, married Margaret McGraw, and they have seven children; Katherine married Richard Dwyer, who had charge of a power house in connection with the street railways of Chicago, was killed by a live wire, leaving a widow and five children; James, who was in the employ of the United States Express Company, died in Chicago some time ago, leaving a widow ; Johanna married William McGraw, a farmer of Benton county, Indiana, and they have three children; Mary married James E.

Garvin, a teacher b}^ profession, but now employed in the Chicago postoffice ; EHzabeth, wife of Johii Garrity, a merchant of Chicago for some time, has three children; Margaret married J. C. Eman, and they live in Los Angeles, California; Michael lives in Chicago; David, a merchant of Des Moines, Iowa, married Sadie Stack.

David Condon, father of the above named children, was born in County Limerick, Ireland, and when only thirteen years old he emigrated to the - United States, the voyage requiring three months, in an old-fashioned sailing vessel. He found employment in a woolen mill in Webster, New York. He subsequently went to Springfield, Massachusetts, and there he met and married Margaret Hayes and established the family home there. She was born in the same locality in Ireland from which he came, and had emigrated to America in "her girlhood. The father eventually nioved his family to Illinois, and in 1868, when his children were still small, he removed to Benton county, Indiana, and bought a farm, spending the rest of his life engaged in farming. His death occurred in 1900, his widow surviving until 1910. They were an honest, kind, hard-working couple who did all in their power to give their large family an education and get them properly started in life, and they are now well situated and highly respected wherever they reside.

Thomas H. Condon was married December 16, 1886, to Florence A. Mott, a daughter of a farmer of White county, Indiana, and one of three children. To this union two children were born, Cecil died at Fowler, Indiana, when eight years of age; Ray I., born June 14, 1891, graduated from the high school at Parker, later studied at Purdue University, is now associated with his father in the grain and coal business ; he married Helen Arbogast, of Parker.

Thomas H. Condon farmed on the home place until he was twenty-one years of age, then took a position with the Buckeye Harvesting Machine Company, with which he remained for a period of seven years, giving his employers eminent satisfaction, proving to be one of their most trusted and faithful employees. He then came to Parker and went into the gas and oil business, and here he developed the Parker City oil field and thereby incidentally did much for the general upbuilding of Parker and vicinity. He then went to Goldfield, Nevada, where he engaged in mining for a period of four years with gratifying results. He was prominently identified with the interests of Goldfield during the strike of the mining district there in 1906-7. He then returned to Parker and has since been successfully engaged in the grain and coal business, building up a large and ever-growing trade which extends over a wide territory. He is also still engaged in the oil business. By his close application, wise foresight, sound judgment and ability to grasp large opportunities readily he has accumulated a handsome competency, becoming one of the substantial men of the county. He owns a modern and commodious home at Parker.

Fraternally, Mr. Condon is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Improved Order of Red Men. He is a faithful member and liberal supporter of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically, he is a Republican, and has been active and influential in local political and public affairs. For a period of ten years he was president of the city council of Parker, djaring which he did much for the general upbuilding of the city. He helped to organize the first fire department here; in fact, no man has done so much toward the material growth of Parker as he. He has also been prominent in educational affairs, and appointed the school boards for years while a member of the council. He studied law and has been a member of the Winchester bar for the past fifteen years. Personally, he is a pleasant gentleman to meet, courteous, high-minded, genial and a man who at once impresses you as being of superior attributes.

John T. Burrows

It is an unquestionable fact that biographies of enterprising men, especially of good men, are instructive as guides and incentives to others. The examples they furnish of patient purpose and steadfast endeavor and integrity cannot help but influence others who are thrown in their company. Some men seem to belong to no exclusive class ; apparently insurmountable obstacles have in many instances awakened their dormant faculties and served as a stimulus to carry them to ultimate renown. The instances of success in the face of adverse circumstances and unkind fate would seem to justify the conclusion that self-reliance with so much as a half chance can accomplish any reasonable object.

One of the enterprising citizens of Nettle Creek township, Randolph county, who has overcome the obstacles that led to the successful goals which he coveted when starting out in life, is John T. Burrows, the present popular postmaster at the village of Losantville. He was born December 9, 1852, in Nettle Creek township, this county, and is a son of Franklin and Anna (Medesker) Burrows, both natives of this township also. The paternal grandparents were born in Virginia, and the maternal grandparents were natives of Pennsylvania, and they came to Randolph county, Indiana, in the early days of the nineteenth century. The paternal great-grandparents were Scotch-Irish, and the maternal great-grandparents were of German blood. Franklin Burrows was brought up on the home farm and he continued general farming all his life. His death occurred September ii, 1910. The death of the mother of our subject occurred in 1885. Six children were born to these parents, three of whom died in infancy; one sister, Catherine B., who married a Mr. Hunt, died in 1886, and another sister, Mrs. Amanda Wiggins, lived at Losantville until her death in 1914.

John T. Burrows grew up on the home farm and there he worked in summer, and attended the common schools in winter. He remained on the farm until he was twenty years of age, then ran a huckster wagon for Daniel Wiggins, beginning in 1874, after which he worked on Mr. Wiggins' farm until 1876, in which year his employer sold out to Lemuel Wiggins, for whom he farmed a year, then clerked for him in his store until 1885, when he commenced dealing in agricultural implements, especially reapers and mowers, and again engaged in farming. In 1890 he was elected township trustee for a term of five years. He was appointed postmaster at Losantville during President McKinley's administration, having been recommended for the place by C. L. Henry, at that time Congressman from the Eighth district of Indiana. Mr. Burrows has continued in office to the present time, holding the same over sixteen years. As a public servant his record has been marked by fidelity and honesty, courtesy and carefulness and he has ever given the utmost satisfaction to all concerned. He owns a good farm in Randolph county, consisting of over two hundred acres of fine land.

Mr. Burrows was married March 17, 1877, to Emma J. Wiggins, who was born, reared and educated in Nettle Creek township, this county. The date of her birth is November 26, 1862. She is a daughter of Lemuel and Mary Wiggins. To this union four children have been born, namely : Nellie E., the eldest, is still at home; Boyden O. is married to Bertha Burroughs, and is living on the farm belonging to our subject, and he has four sons, Ivan, Norrice. Sharon and Clois. Delia O., third child of our subject, married Cal. C. Lamb, of New Castle, and they have one daughter, Bernice J. The youngest of our subject's children, Franklin Chase, is at home with his parents.

Mrs. Burrows is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and stands high in the congregation. Politically, Mr. Burrows is a loyal Republican and is active and influential in the ranks and is a man well informed on present day public matters.

Fred Retter

As one reviews the history of Randolph county and looks into the past to see what people were prominent in its early development, it will be found that for the past three-quarters of a century the Germans have been closely connected with the progress and general advancement of this secton of the Hoosier state. Wild was the region into which they came. Its forests stood in their primeval strength, the swampy land was still undrained, and the Indians still roamed through the dense woods, seeking deer, bear and lesser game which were in abundance. The Retter family, while not so early as some, yet figured in the latter-day development of this section of the state, and Fred Retter, a farmer of Washington township, although born in the Fatherland, has spent his active life within our borders, ever manifesting the characteristic thrift of the emigrant from the great empire of northern Europe.

Mr. Retter was born in Wittenburg, Germany, on December 9, 1846. He is a son of Fred and Eliza (Kasper) Retter. The father was born in the same city and country as our subject and there he grew to manhood, learned the shoemaker's trade, married and resided until 1852, when he brought his family across the Atlantic to the United States, our subject being then six years old. The family located near Eaton, Ohio, where the father worked at his trade a short, time, then removed to Eldorado, that state, but remained there only a short while, when he moved to New Hope, Ohio, then to Jay county, Indiana, where he purchased ten acres of land, which he cleared and on which he built a house. In a short time he sold out, removed to Randolph county, and purchased one hundred and two acres near the village of Ridgeville, and there lived until his death.

Fred Retter, of this sketch, assisted his father with the hard work of establishing a new home in a strange land, and he received a limited education at a subscription school, taught in a log school house near the home farm. He remained with his parents until he was seventeen years old, then began working on the Pennsylvania railroad, which was then being built in this locality. He then worked on a farm and with a threshing machine for si.x months ; then hired out by the month for seven years ; then rented one hundred acres of land, which he eventually purchased and which he now owns. He worked hard, managed well and .^aved his earnings, and added to his original purchase until he was the owner of valuable, productive and wellcultivated land of ten hundred and fifty acres; he has deeded to his children all but five hundred and fifty-eight acres. It is well drained and

Otherwise well improved and he has a substantial dwelling and good outbuild- ings. He carries on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale and is one of the best and foremost farmers in the county. He annually markets large numbers of livestock.

Mr. Retter was married to Mary Smith, to which union two children were born, Laura, who is now the wife of Grant Wright, and James, who is farming in Washington township, this county. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Retter married Sarah Jane Stegall, and to this union six children have been born, namely : Otis and Otho, who are assisting in operating our subject's large farm; Louisa married Alden Miller; William married Louisa Gessey; Roxanna is the wife of Guy Marker; Arnold married Edith Hinshaw.

John L. Downing

There is always valuable lessons to be gained in pursuing the life histories of such men as the late John L. Downing, one of Randolph county's well-known and highly-respected citizens of a past generation, whose life forcibly illustrated what energy, integrity and a fixed purpose can accomplish when animated by noble aims and correct ideals. During the years of his residence in this locality he held the unequivocal confidence of those with whom he came into contact, for he was a man whom to know was to trust and admire owing to his many commendable attributes of head and heart. When the "reaper whose name is death" gathered him in his sheaves while in the fulness of his strength and prime of life, his loss to the community was keenly felt.

Mr. Downing was born November 29, 1862, in Randolph county. He was a son of Dennis and Emiline (Lenington) Downing. The father was born in Henry county, Indiana, and soon after his marriage moved to Randolph county, where he died when our subject was a small boy. The mother was also a native of Henry county. Her death occurred in August, 1891. Dennis Downing devoted his life to farming, , and politically he was a Republican. His family consisted of four children, namely: Frank is living; Marv and Jennie A. are both deceased, and John L., of this memoir.

John L. Downing grew to manhood on the home farm and he received his education in the common schools. On March 17, 1887, he married Maggie C. Gettle, who was born in Randolph county, June 25, 1870, and she is a daughter of John N. and Caroline (Maurer) Gettle. She was reared in her native community and was educated in the pubHc schools. Her father was born in Germany, from which country he emigrated to the United States when a boy, first locating near Winchester, Ohio. He came on to White River township, Randolph county, Indiana, fifty-eight years ago, being among the early settlers here, and, being a man of thrift he soon had a good home established. He was born September 2, 1822, and his death occurred June 6, 1897. The m;other of Mfs. Downing was born in France, October 30, 1833, and when fourteen years of age she emigrated to the United States, being forty-one days on the Atlantic ocean; her death occurred June 12, 1912.

To John L. Downing and wife thirteen children were born, ten of whom are living at this writing, namely: John N. is living; Lena Eleanora is deceased; Dora and Ethel are both livings Jennie is deceased; Mary and Magdalene are both living; Frank is deceased; Alta, Agnes, Ardis, Adolph and Margaret are all living.

John L. Downing devoted his life successfully to general farming and stock raising. However, the last eight years he was in failing health and did little active work, keeping his farm rented. His place consisted of ninety-four and three-fourths acres, which is productive and well improved, including a good dwelling and numerous outbuildings. Here the widow and children still reside but the land is still rented.

Politically, Mr. Downing was a Republican, and was a member of the Methodist church. He was called to his eternal rest on October 15, 1913. He was an honest, upright man and liked by all who knew him. He bore his long sufferings patiently and with rare Christian courage.

David E. Pursley

It is known to. all professional men and tradesmen that one of the chief essentials of success in life is thorough preparation. Realizing this at the outset of his career David E. Pursley, of Winchester, Randolph county, bent every possible effort in the direction of his chosen profession, with the result that he has become, while yet a young man, one of the most expert and best known embalmers in this section of the state. He has energy, persistence, and at the same time fortitude. These qualities, coupled with good personal habits, have rendered him popular with the people of this locality.

natives of this county, where they grew to maturity, were educated and married, and established themselves on a farm. The death of the father occurred on November 24, 1912, but the mother survives. To them were born two sons and four daughters, namely : Nora B. is the wife of Andrew Jackson; Myrtle R. is the wife of Orla Amburn, of Winchester; NeUie is the wife of Jesse W. Jackson, of Randolph county; Mattie is the wife of J. C. Jackson, also of this county; Ernest is married and lives on the old home farm, and David E., of this review.

Our subject was reared on the home farm and he attended the common schools in his district. When but a boy he decided to enter the embalming field, and in order to properly equip himself he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and spent some time in the Cincinnati School of Embalming, and later attended Barnes' School of Anatomy, Sanitary Science and Embalming, of Chicago, then was a student at the Askin Training School for Embalming in Indianapolis. He made a splendid record in each of these and has a diploma from all three.

In the year 1907, Mr. Pursley became connected with C. L. Thornburg at Farmland, an undertaker, and there he remained a year, then went to Marion, Indiana, with C. M. Showley, completing his term in practice before entering in business for himself. In 1909 he came to Winchester and was associated with S. E. Fraze, until December, 1910, when he purchased the business of Mr. Fraze, and has since conducted the same with ever growing success, until he is today one of the busiest and best-known embalmers in Randolph county. Prompt and high-grade service are his watchwofds, and his fair and courteous treatment of his patrons have won him the good will of all. He has an able assistant in the business in the person of his wife, a lady of talent and enterprise. They have a neat and well-equipped place of business at 130 North Main street, and all kinds of funeral equipment, caskets, cases, etc., are carried.

Mr. Pursley was married on January 19, 1907, to Opal Fodrea, daughter of Albert and Mary E. (Dick) Fodrea, of Randolph county. The death of the father occurred on May 13, 1907. The mother survives.

Mr. Pursley is a member of the Masonic Order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Improved Order of Red Men, also other organizations. Politically, he is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Seward S. Watson

Journalism is a profession that has never been overcrowded - perhaps the only one - and we do not have to go far for an explanation. The journalist is born, the dame as the poet, although, of course, not so favored of the gods, except in rare instances. The average newspaper man or publisher seems little different, if any, from the average man in any other walk of life, and yet there is a difference. Few men are gifted with the peculiar attributes that go to make up the successful editor or publisher, and unless Mother Nature has stamped her inscrutable approval on one he might as well never begin. Training and experience count for a great deal, it is true, but they count for nothing unless the capacity is there to begin with. Seward S. Watson, well-known editor and publisher of The Winchester Herald, is a typical newspajDer man, both by nature and training, and he has therefore succeeded at his chosen vocation.

Mr. Watson was born in Winchester, Randolph county, January 29, 1857. He is a son of Enos L. and Mary (Judd) Watson, a prominent pioneer family of this locality.

Mr. Watson grew to manhood in his native city and here received a public school education, which has been greatly supplemented in later years by wide home reading and study and by actual contact with the world. As a lad he learned the printer's trade. Desiring to forge to the front in the field of journalism he assiduously applied himself to learning the ins and outs of every department, and he has filled every position in a country newspaper office, from "devil" to managing editor. In due course of time he became part owner of the paper mentioned above, and for a period of twenty-six years was associated with different individuals in its publication. In 1901 he became so'e owner of The Herald, and has since conducted the same alone, making it one of the brightest, newiest and most influential papers of its type in the state. It is up-to-date in every respect in its mechanical appearance and method of handling news, and it has become a valuable advertising medium. It has a wide and constantly growing circulation and has ever beeij a most potent factor in the molding of local public opinion, especially as an organ of the Republican party, Mr. Watson having always been a staunch defender of its principles.

>[r. Watson is the present efficient and popular postmaster of the city of Winchester, having been appointed to this position in February, 1907, by President Roosevelt. At the expiration of his term of four vears he was again appointed to the office by President Taft for another term of four years. He is discharging the duties of the office in a manner that has reflected much credit upon himself and to the eminent satisfaction of the people and the department.

Mr. Watson was married in November, 1880, to Nancy E. Deardoff, a daughter of Lafayette and Nancy (Rush) Deardoff, and to this union six children have been born, namely : Edith D. is the eldest ; Mary Alice is now the wife of Charles R. Anderson, of Dodge City, Kansas; Amelia B. W., Margaret Jane, John Enos and Ralph Engle. John Enos has had charge of The Herald since the appointment of his father to the postmastership.

Enos L. Watson, father of our subject, died in Winchester in December, 1910. His widow survives at the advanced age of eighty-three years. Our stibject is a brother of ETon. James E. W'atson, of Rushville, Indiana, one of Indiana's leading politicians of the present generation.

William A. Ross

The name of William A. Ross, the present popular postmaster at Modoc, needs no introduction to the people of Nettle Creek township, of which he is the oldest native born citizen and where his entire life has been spent. He has lived to see and take part in the great transformation of this township from the wilderness epoch to the present time when it ranks with the leading agricultural sections of the great Hoosier commonwealth. He talks most interestingly of the early da\'s here and his mind is a storehouse for valuable historical facts. His life has been such that he has kept unsullied the good name of this worth}' old famil)^ and he is highly respected by all who know him.

Mr. Ross was born three miles northwest of Modoc, in Nettle Creek township, Randolph county, September 17, 1848. Lie is a son of Thomas F. and Eunice ( Brown ) Ross. The mother was born and reared in Wayne county, Indiana. The father was a native of Kentucky and his father brought him to this locality in a very early day and here he grew to manhood. The family located near the present town of liuntsville. Thomas Ross worked hard assisting his father develop the home farm from the wilderness, and he spent his life successfulh' engaged in general farming, and at his death October 11, 1882, he owned two hundred and ten acres in Nettle Creek township. He was one of ten children, six sons and four daughters, all now deceased, with the exception of Wesley D., of Dunkirk, Indiana; and Elijah P., of Greenville, Ohio. The death of Mrs. Eunice Ross occurred December 4, 1909.

William A. Ross was reared on the home farm- and received his education, in the rural schools. He has been a farmer the major portion of his life and has been successful in his work. Besides the common schools he attended high school at Bluntsvillc, India;ia, also at Indianapolis and -the Normal school at Winchester. Thus Avell qualified for life's serious duties, he began teaching in 1869 and he followed teaching and farming for a period of twenty- one years, during which time his services were in great demand and he ranked among the county's most popular educators. Thus by farming in the summer and teaching in the winter time he was a very busy man in his earlier career. In 1882 he was elected township trustee for one term of two years and in 1894 was elected to the same office for a term of six years. On November 24, 1906, he was appointed postmaster at Modoc under President Roosevelt, which office he still holds. He has been township assessor and land appraiser at different times. As a public servant he has discharged every duty assigned him in a manner that has reflected much credit on himself and to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned, being always very faithful in the trusts reposed in him.

Mr. Ross has been very successful in a business way and he now owns considerable valuable city property in Modoc, including the post office building, which is one of the best in the village.

In 1872 Mr. Ross was married to America Howell, who died in 1876, leaving one child, Francis Omer Ross, who is now in the wholesale business in Cleveland, Ohio. On December 2, 1882, our subject married Rhoda I. Lamb, of Randolph county, and a daughter of Restore and Mary Lamb, who established themselves on a farm here in an early day, but are now living in Kansas with their youngest son. Mrs. Ross was one of three children. To Mr. Ross and his second wife four children were born, namely : Mrs. Ethel Jordan, who lives two miles southwest of Modoc, has four children, Wilbur, Flava, Graydon and Crystal; Mrs. Mary Bessie Swain, of Modoc, has three children, Galen, Ruth and Albert; Willis A., in the wholesale business, lives in Cleveland, Ohio; Mrs. Nettie Victoria Plutchens, of Losantville, has one son, Charles. The second wife of William A. Ross died January 23, igio, and for some time he has been making his home with his daughter, Mrs. Swain.

ranks. He is a member of the United Brethren church. Fraternally he holds membership with the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is secretary of both the local lodges. He is also secretary of the Modoc Natural Gas & Oil Company, of .which he is a large stockholder. Personally Mr. Ross is a pleasant gentleman to meet, enjoys exceptionally fine health for one of his years, and does not appear to be over fifty years of age. He is one of the leading citizens of Modoc and Nettle Creek township.

Ernest Milton Dunn

There is no positive rule for achieving success, and yet in the life of the successful man there is always lessons which might well be followed. The man who gains prosperity is he who can see and utilize the opportunity that comes in his path, so he who succeeds in a professional career must have the tact and courage to grasp opportunities in an instant when they arise and know how to make the most of them. He must also be willing to work persistently and remain a deep student throughout his career, for there is so much to learn in any line that one must forever keep at it, be a fearless and independent thinker and have the courage of one's convictions. Such briefly describes Ernest Milton Dunn, a successful young lawyer of Union City, Randolph county.

Mr. Dunn was born November lo, 1878, in Randolph county, Indiana. He is a son of William H. and Delilah (Dailey) Dunn. The father is a retired farmer living in Union City. The mother is a daughter of Charles Dailey. John S. Dunn, the paternal grandfather, was among the wellknown pioneers of Randolph county and here he lived and died. He married Elsie Sweet, who died many years ago. The Dunns have been among the prominent and influential families in this locality for several generations and have played well their parts in the general development of Randolph county.

Ernest M. Dunn grew to manhood on the home farm, where he assisted with the general work when he became of proper age, and during the winter months he attended the district schools. Early in life he began the study of law and he completed his law course in the University of \^alparaiso, where he made a good record, and he was admitted to the bar during the May term of court, 1909, and soon thereafter formed a partnership with Bert E. Woodbury at Union City, under the firm name of Dunn & Woodbury, which con- tinues at this writing. Their business is rapidly increasing and it is one of the best and most successful firms of the younger attorneys of the county. Mr. Dunn deserves a great deal of credit for what he has accomplished in a professional way, for he is purely a self-made man, starting at the bottom of the ladder and forging ahead without assistance. He taught school for five years and worked at the carpenter's trade for six years and in that manner acquired the means whereby he Q,ould educate himself in the law. He is a persistent and -earnest worker, making all other interests subservient to those of his clients, who are rapidly increasing, in view of his ability as an attorney and his high standing as a citizen. He is at this writing deputy prosecuting attorney of Randolph county and is discharging his duties in a highly acceptable manner to all concerned. Politically he is a Progressive, and in religious matters he belongs to the Christian church. He is secretary of the Federal Club, of Union City.

Mr. Dunn was married on January 31, 19 14, to, Miss Doris L. Robinson of Indianapolis, a daughter of John Robinson. Mrs. Dunn is a graduate of the elocution department of the University of Valparaiso, Indiana, and was a successful high school teacher for a period of nine years at Bremen and Woodville, Ohio.

Elihu S. Gillam

Conspicuous among the representative business men and public-spirited citizens of Randolph county is the well-known gentleman whose name forms the caption of this article. Mr. Gillam has made his influence felt for the good of his community at Modoc, being a man of sterling worth, the latter part of whose busy, useful and honorable life has been closely interwoven with the history of the locality in which he resides, and his efforts have always been for the material advancement of the same, since removing here several years ago, as well as for the social and moral welfare of his fellowmen; and the well regulated life he has led has gained for him the respect and admiration of all with whom he has come in contact - thus for many reasons he is eminently entitled to representation in a biographical work of the scope intended in the present volume.

Elihu S. Gillam, who conducts an extensive mercantile establishment ai the town of Modoc, was born in Fayette county, Indiana, August 13, 1852. He is a son of Benjamin and Mary (Case) Gillam, whose family consisted of eight children, namely : Henry, who died during the Civil war, while a soldier for the Union; Kate, who has been twice married, both husbands being now deceased, had five children by the first marriage, which was to Joseph Beaver, her last marriage being to S. Murray, and she is now living in Colorado; Fannie, who lives at Anderson, Indiana, is the wife of John Vardaman, a mason by trade, and they have two children; Elihu S., of this review, was fourth in order of birth; Charles Alvin, who was engaged in farming in the \\'est, died some time ago, lea\-ing a widow and four children; John Franklin, a carpenter by trade, of Anderson, this state, has been twice married, first, to Naomi Price, and lastly to Lena Hale, and he and his last wife have two children; Mary, deceased, was the wife of Charles A. Morrison, who IDreceded her to the grave, leaving no children; the eighth child died in infancy.

The father, Benjamin Gillam, was born in Pennsylvania, where he spent his boyhood, finally coming to Fayette county, Indiana, where he remained some time, finally removing to Randolph county, in the fall of 1868, and here he spent the rest of his life, which was brief, his death occurring in 1869, at the age of fifty-six years. He devoted his life to farming, and after his death his widow remained on the home place until her death in 1887 at the age of sixty-eight years.

Elihu S. Gillam was reared on the farm and assisted with the general work about the place when growing up, and he received his education in the common schools. He has been twice married, first, to Rachael J. Howell, a daughter of Levi Howell, a farmer of Nettle Creek township, Randolph county, and to this first union two children were born, namely : Maud, who lives at Alexandria, Indiana, is the wife of Bert Jones, a minister of Ihe Methodist church, and they have two children, Keith, born in November, 1906; and Robert, born in August, 1909. Edna, second daughter of our subject, married Morris Lee, a farmer of West River township, where his family have long been among the leading agriculturists. The second wife of Elihu S. Gillam was Pearl Holly, who had been previously married, and who has a son thirteen years old by that marriage. Her maiden name was Ballard, her family being from Henry county, Indiana. Mr. Gillam's first wife died on April 28, 1906, and his second marriage took place in September, 191 1.

Mr. Gillam began life for himself by farming. He also learned the carpenter's trade and devoted many years to this work and to contracting and building, with pronounced success, being known as a skilled workman and reliable builder. In 1907 he began operating a general store at Modoc with Hunt & Jones, subsequently buying out Mr. Hunt, and they have since conducted the business alone under the firm name of Jones and Gillam, their trade gradually increasing, and he now ranks with the leading merchants of the county, his large and well-selected stock of goods being a credit to the town, in fact, would not be out of place in cities of much larger population. He enjoys an extensive country trade, his neatly kept and comfortable store being a favorite stopping place for the families of farmers when in Modoc, for they know that here they will receive honest and courteous treatment.

Charles Eugene Bowen

Few men of a past generation in Randolph county were held in higher esteem than the late Charles Eugene Bowen, who, now that life's fitful fever is over, is sleeping serenely "in the windowless palace of rest." His memory will long be revered by the vast host of people who knew him and admired him, for he was a man in whom all took a delight, owing to his sterling honesty, his charitable nature and his readiness to help in the furtherance of any movement looking to the general upbuilding of the community. He was a scion of one of our sterling pioneer families to whom we owe so much, for his grandfather came here when this country was a veritable wilderness, and, working long and hard, redeemed, with others, the fertile fields and the fine farms which we of today enjoy and which are now so valuable. We can never say too much regarding these brave and courageous pioneers, who literally took their own lives in their hands and, not counting the cost, cast their lots in the new country, away from the pleasant hearthstones of their childhood and the advantages of civilization. Both our subject and his father helped complete the work begun by the frontiersmen here a century ago, and to all much credit is due.

Mr. Bowen was born at Spartanburg, Greensfork township, this county, December 6, 1858. He was a son of James D. and Mary E. (Chenoweth) Bowen. James Dwiggins Bowen was a son of Squire and Elizabeth (Dwiggins) Bowen, and was born in Randolph county, Indiana, in 1832, and died August 20, 1899, in his sixty-seventh year. The scene of his birth and death was his farm in Greensfork township, which was entered in 1814 by the first Bowen who came to this section of Indiana. On September 13, 1855, James D. Bowen married Mary E. Chenoweth of Carroll county, IVIaryland, and to them three sons and six daughters were born. He united with the Methodist church in 1859 and remained a faithful member of the same until his death. During the Civil war he was appointed enrolling officer for his township, during which time he was actively engaged in looking after the sick and wounded soldiers of his district, besides aiding their families. He was always very attentive to the welfare of his neighbors and friends, and was honest and courteous to all, carrying his religion into his every-day life. March 31, 1866, he joined the Free and Accepted Masons, Bethel Lodge No. 250, and later became a Master Mason. He also belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows when a young man. Fie passed all the chairs in the order and was Past Grand. He was said to be a man absolutely without enemies, having lived so exemplary a life. His wife, Mary Etta Bowen, was a daughter of John Baxter Chenoweth and Sarah (Murray) Chenoweth. She was born in Baltimore county, Maryland, in 1836, and died August 3, 1902. She united with the Methodist church early in life and remained a constant member until the end. She bore her sufferings with rare fortitude and enjoyed the friendship of all who knew her well.

Charles E. Bowen grew to manhood on the old homestead in his native community and he received a common school education, later spending one year in the Valparaiso Normal. Early in life, he took up merchandising and for over twenty years he conducted general stores at Crete, Carlos City and Spartanburg, building up a large and lucrative business with the surrounding countiry, owing to his honesty and thrift. At the time of his death he owned the farm which his grandfather settled in 1814, a century ago. This place has never been out of the possession of the family and is now owned by our subject's widow and children. It has been well cultivated and kept highly improved so that it has not lost its original strength of soil, the Bowens having always been noted as skilful agriculturists.

Mr. Bowen was married on the anniversary of his birth, December 6, 1890, to Josie Nelson, who was born in Virginia in May, 1871. She is a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Nossette) Nelson. The father was born in Virginia and died January 18, 1875. The mother was also a native of Virginia and her death occurred March 16, 1874. To our subject and wife two children were born, namely: Ephraim M., born in 1891, was graduated from the Spartanburg high school in 1907, then spent one term at the State Normal at Terre Haute, then a year in Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana, specializing in history ; he is now teaching history in the Spartanburg high school with much success. John M., second child of our subject, was born in 1897 ^^d is now attending the Lynn high school.

Charles E. Bowen was a faithful member of the Christian church. He was entering upon his second year as county commissioner and had fulfilled Ms duties in such a manner in this important office as to be honored with the nomination to succeed himself for a second term. He had all the qualities

The death of Mr. Bowen occurred suddenly and without warning on June 10, 1910, at the age of fifty-one years, six months and four days. His fellow commissioners, William Mills and John E. Cheesman, and Mack tohue, county auditor, passed the following resolutions of respect on his death, at Winchester, Indiana, June 13, 1910:

"It is with profound sorrow- that the board of commissioners of Randolph county. State of Indiana, record the loss of one of its members - Charles E. Bowen, commissioner of the eastern district, who passed away at his home in Greens fork township last Friday, in the prime of his usefulness as a servant of the people of this county, as a member of this board. During his year and almost a half as such official we found him to be a conscientious, careful, punctual, efficient and honest official and as such we learned to admire him, as a man and companion we learned to love him.

Quiet, modest, unassuming, but never shirking, ever ready to bear his portion of the responsibilities and burdens of this board, we feel that it is no fulsome praise, but his just merits, when we record that in his death the people of Randolph county have lost the service and counsel of a faithful servant, one who always did his duty as he saw it, and always for the greatest good for the greatest number. We feel that we can speak no greater eulogy to him than to recommend to his successor and to all other public officials the emulation of his official life.

While we sorrow in our personal loss of the benefit of his counsel and companionship, we realize that the public has lost a faithful servant, but the greatest loss is to those he loved best, his wife and sons, and to them we express our sympathy and with it the assurance that to us, as well as to them, his clean, upright life will be an inspiration.

Be it therefore Resolved, That the auditor of the county be authorized to spread this memento of record, in the proceedings of this day's business and that he furnish the family with a careful copy thereof."

Alonzo Merrill Anderson

History and biography for the most part record the lives of those only who have attained military, political or literary distinction or who in any other career have passed through extraordinary vicissitudes of fortune. But the names of men who have distinguished themselves in their day and generation for the possession of those qualities of character which mainly con- tribute to the success of private life and to the public stability - of men who, without brilliant talents, have been exemplary in all their personal and social relations, and enjoyed the esteem, respect and confidence of those around them - ought not to be allowed to perish ; for all are benefited by the delineation of those traits of character which find scope and exercise in the common walks of life. Among the individuals of this class of a past generation in Randolph county was the late Alonzo Merrill Anderson, for many years a well-known agriculturist and business man in Lynn and vicinity. He had the interests of his locality at heart and sought to promote the same whenever possible. His life history was distinguished by the most substantial qualities of character and exhibited a long and. virtuous career of private industry, performed with moderation and crowned with success, and his memory will long be revered by the people of this locality.

Mr. Anderson was born February 20, 1859, in Bethel, Wayne county, Indiana. He was a son of Wilson and Ann (Ellis) Anderson, an excellent old family, a complete sketch of which appears on another page of this work, hence will not be repeated here.

Alonzo Anderson received a common school education and at an early age began buying and selling live stock. He lived on the home farm two years after starting out for himself, on the farm east of Spartanburg, then lived eight years on a farm west of that town, and fed large numbers of live stock for the market and at the same time superintended the general work of the farm. Then lived one year in Spartanburg, after which he moved to a farm east of Lynn, where he lived five years, after which he moved to Lynn and spent two years there, then lived in Mooreland two years, where he engaged in the grain and elevator business. In 191 1 he moved back to Lynn. All the while he had been engaged in the stock business, and, being a hustler and an exceptionally good judge of live stock of all kinds, he was very successful; in fact, he made everything pay that he turned his attention to, for he was a man of keen discernment and good management, and, being honest in all his transactions, he had the confidence of the people. His health finally failed in 191 1, and he was summoned to his eternal rest on April 18, 1913.

Politically, Mr. Anderson was a Republican, but was not ambitious to become a political leader. On August i, 1891, he married Mary Welsh, who was born in Preble county, Ohio, July 16, 1872. She is a daughter of John and Ellen (Cavanaugh) Welsh. They came to Randolph county about 1875 and settled in Greensfork township. John Welsh was born in Ireland in 1841 and he emigrated to America in 1858. He devoted his life successfully to farming, dying in 1890. His wife, Ellen Cavanaugh, was also a native of the Emerald Isle, born in 1842. Her death occurred in 1894. They were industrious, honest and highly-respected people.

Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, namely : Ursulla M., who married G. S. Bowen, lives in Fountain City, Indiana; and Theresa, who is at home.

Albert E. Fudge

It is always a delight to look over such a farm as that owned by Albert E. Fudge, which lies just outside the corporate limits of the city of Winchester and which may well be described as one of the show farms of Randolph county. Such a place would be the envy of many a city man who has tired long ago, of the grind, the dust and the heat, the endless strife that shrivel the soul and bend the body. Indeed, many a man who now is weary of the toil and bondage of the metropolis, which he eagerly entered when a youth, fresh from the farm - not being able to see clearly what awaited him in the oncoming years - would be delighted to be. able to leave it all and establish himself on this fine farm, with all its picturesqueness, comfort and freedom. Mr. Fudge has been wise enough to stay away from the city and build up a splendid home like this where he can spend his life satisfactorily.

He was born November 5, 1863, on a farm, five miles south of Winchester, Indiana. He is a son of Francis M. and 3ilargaret (Hall) Fudge. The father was born in Preble county, Ohio, while the mother is a native of Randolph county, Indiana. The elder Fudge was a farmer; and his death occurred on September 3, 1888, his wife having preceded him to the grave in March, 1864.

Albert E. Fudge was reared on a farm and he received his education in the district schools, doing general farm work during the summer time, however, his months of school were few and far between. He remained with his father until he was twenty years of age when he began working out at farm work by the month which he followed until his marriage on October 10, 1888, to Geneva Diggs, a daughter of Jesse and Juha (Hobbick) Diggs, of Randolph county. One child was born to this union, Edna, now the wife of Claude Wilson, of Winchester. The wife and mother passed away on August 26, 1893, and Mr. Fudge married for a second wife, Louise Hormel, on January 21, 1896. She is a daughter of Jarvis Hormel, of Wayne county, Indiana. Both parents of Mrs. Fudge died when she was quite young. Two

After his first marriage Mr. Fudge rented the home farm, which lies one and one-half miles northeast of Winchester, which his father had bought and had moved to some years previously. The place consists of one hundred and twenty acres of valuable and productive land. Here Mr. Fudge, of this review, has resided continuously to the present time. He has managed well and has prospered with advancing years, adding to the original place, until he now has two hundred and eighty-two acres, all in one body, and extending to the corporate limits of the city of Winchester. It is well-improved in every respect, and on it stands an excellent set of buildings. General farming is carried on, together with stock raising, on an extensive scale. Mr. Fudge feeds stock and buys and ships in large numbers, handling both hogs and cattle. He ships to the Indianapolis market, also Cleveland.

Politically, Mr. Fudge is a Democrat, and has been actively interested in public affairs for many years, but has never been an office seeker. He is a member of the Winchester Lodge, Knights of Pythias. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Mr. Fudge has been exceptionally successful as a business man and his place shows thrift. He has one of the most attractive modern residences in the township. He has an automobile and, in fact, every modern comfort and convenience. He keeps his fine farm up to the highest point of productiveness, making a careful study of soils, crop rotation, fertilizers and everything necessary to success.

Emmett B. Harris

It is no very rare thing for a poor boy in our country to become a prosperous man and occupy a commanding position in the business world, but many who have fought their way from poverty to wealth, from obscurity to prominence, retain some marks and scars of the conflict. They are apt to be narrow and grasping, even if not sordid and unscrupulous. Emmett B. Harris, the able and popular cashier of The Citizens Banking Company, of Modoc, Randolph county, although he did not come up from the ranks of the poverty stricken and has not reached the affluence of the rich, yet he has worke(i his \\'ay from a modest beginning to a comfortable station in the world of affairs, being an instance of a man who has achieved success without paying the price at which it is so often bought. His success has not removed him further from his fellow men, but has brought him into nearer and more intimate relations with them, and, although he has led a busy life, he has yet found time to devote to those interests which develop the intellectual and moral nature of man, living not to himself alone, but showing a desire all the while to aid his fellow men.

Mr. Harris was born July 12, 1876, in Farmland, Randolph county. He is a son of David T. and Mary V. (Botkin) Harris. The father was born in Hagerstown, Indiana, and was a son of John G. Harris, a native of Lynchburg, Virginia, from which place he emigrated to Indiana in pioneer times and spent the rest of his life engaged in farming near Hagerstown, and there also the father of our subject engaged in farming. The mother of our subject was born on the old Botkin homestead, which has come down through three generations from the great-grandfather, who was one of the earliest settlers in this part of the state, and from that early day to the present the Botkins have been influential citizens in Randolph county, where Mrs. Harris grew to womanhood and was educated in the early schools. She is still living, being now sixty years of age. The death of David T. Harris occurred November 27, T908. To these parents four children were bom, two sons and two daughters, namely: Emmett B., of this sketch; Chester R., who is employed by the Western Union Telegraph Company in New York City, married Mabelle Skeele, and they have one child, Franklin; Jennie G. married C. A. Davis of the Western Electric Company, of East Orange, New Jersey, and they have one daughter, Mabel Marie; Mabel N., who was graduated from a high school, and is a successful teacher in Modoc, was born September 20, 1889.

Emmett B. Harris grew to manhood in his native locality and he received a good practical education in the local schools, later was graduated from a commercial college, after which he worked for some time as bookkeeper for the Strawboard Company at Yorktown, Indiana. He gave eminent satisfaction in this position, and since 1904 he has been cashier of The Citizens Banking Company, of Modoc, Indiana, and has done much to increase the prestige and high standing of this solid and popular institution. It was established in March, 1903, with a capital of ten thousand dollars and has made a gratifying growth ever since, doing a general banking business in a safe and conservative way, thereby gaining the confidence of the people. Their surplus and undivided profits have now grown to over ten thousand dollars. Its president is John Christopher, of whom a sketch appears on another page of this work. The directors are W. T. Farquhar, H. A. Gaddis, B. C. Mendenhall, Arthur R. Moore, M. V. Maulsby, J. C. Cropper and John Christopher.

Mr. Harris was married July 14, 1907, to Inez Porterfield, of Richmond, Indiana, a daughter of M. C. Porterfield, a well-known citizen of that city, where Mrs. Harris was born, reared and educated. To Mr. and Mrs. Harris one child has been born. Freeman, whose birth occurred July 25, 1909.

Mr. Harris is Independent politically, but has never been active as an office seeker, but has been town treasurer of Modoc for some time. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He attends the Methodist Episcopal church.

Isaiah Vv. Kemp

As the day with its morning of hope and promise, its noontide of activity and accomplishment, its evening of completed and successful efforts, ending in the grateful rest and quiet of the night, so was the life of the late Isaiah W. Kemp. His career was a long, useful and busy one, fraught with much good to himself, his family and to humanity, and his memory will long be revered by those who had occasion to come into contact with him on life's highway. His activities in a material way added to his individual prosperity and to the locality of his residence. Devoting the major part of his time and attention to the development of his general agricultural interests in Randolph county, he never allowed the pursuit of wealth to warp his kindly nature, but preserved his faculties and the warmth of his heart for the broadening and helpful influence of human life, being to the end a kindly, genial friend and gentleman whom it was a pleasure to meet.

Mr. Kemp was born on January i, 1840, at Dayton, Ohio. He was a son of Nathaniel and Margaret (Boyer) Kemp, whose family consisted of eight children, five of whom survive at this writing. The father was a native of Pennsylvania where his earlier years were spent and from which state he removed to Ohio, thence to Indiana, his son, Isaiah W., being four years old when the family settled in the Hoosier state. They located in Randolph county where a good farm was developed through hard work and good management and here the father spent the rest of his life, and the son, our subject, also devoted his active life to general farming and stock raising with much success, eventually becoming one of the leading farmers in the community, having remained in the same vicinity where he had spent his boyhood and received his education. The mother of our subject was a native of Maryland, and was a good woman and faithful helpmeet.

dolph county. Her death occurred in 1874, and Mr. Kemp subsequently married Mary E. Hippenhimer, a daughter of Jacob Hippenhimer, a native of Pennsylvania. His wife was born in Maryland.- The date of our subject's second marriage was January 5, 1876. To this union three sons were born, namely : Harry, who is farming on the old homestead, married Ethel Peacock, and they have one child, Ronald, born February 23, 1908; Troy W., a machinist in Muncie, Indiana, married Mary E. Thornburg, and they have two children, Edith, born May 23, P905, and Alice, born September 23, 1908; George married Florence Kratzer, June 22, 1913.

Mr. Kemp was a gallant soldier in the Civil war, serving four years in all, three of which were in the Eighty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was a l^epublipan in politics.

Aeva C. Green

It is proper that the descendants of the old settlers, those who cleared the land of its primitive woods, should see that the doings of the earlier years are fittingly remembered and recorded. It was said by one of the greatest historians that those who take no interest in the deeds of their ancestors are not likely to do anything worthy to be remembered by their descendants. Alva C. Green, successful farmer of Randolph county, is a scion of two of the earliest families of this locality, many of whose worthy characteristics he seems to have inherited, for he believes in keeping busy and in doing what he can in furthering the interests of his community, at the same time so guarding his conduct as to merit the confidence and respect of his neighbors and friend^. He was formerly a famous livestock breeder and raiser.

Mr. Green was born March 3, 1857, on a farm in White River township, four miles southwest of Winchester. He is a son of William S. and Christina (Bowers) Green. The father was born in Ohio and he came with his parents, Jesse Green and wife, in 1818 to Randolph county, Indiana, locating in the woods which were still the haunts of Indians and wild beasts and here the family erected a log cabin, began clearing and developing a farm, experiencing the hardships and privations incident to a life on the frontier. The Bowers family came in 18 19 and settled in the same vicinity, having made the long overland journey in wagons from their former home in Pennsylvania, and here William S. Green and Christina Bowers grew up and were married.

The mother of our subject was one of the first school teachers in this locality. The father became a large land owner and was one of the leading farmers of the community. These early settlers were all Quakers or Friends and they founded the old Dunkirk church. The New Dunkirk church stands on a corner of Mr. Green's farm on land donated by him for that purpose. Our subject's paternal grandparents, Jesse Green and wife, reared a family of eleven children, all. of whom grew to maturity. These parents reached very advanced ages, Jesse Green dying a few years prior to his wife, who reached the age of one hundred and two years. A remarkable fact is that although they reared a large family they never had a doctor to enter their home. They were an exceptionally robust family. William S. Green, father of our subject, became a successful farmer in his community and was a man of industry, honesty and influence. His death occurred May i, 1887, at the age of eighty-five years, his wife having preceded him to the grave February i, 1 87 1. They were buried in Macksville cemetery. They, too, had a large family - fourteen children, only four of whom, three sons and a daughter, are living at this writing, namely: Sarah Jane, now Mrs. W. Y. Puckett, of Winchester; Alva C, subject of this sketch; Benjamin F., of Winchester, and George W., of White River township.

Alva C. Green was reared on the home farm, where he worked when a boy, and he received his education in the country district schools. He remained with his father until his marriage on January 13, 1876, to Louticia Wright, daughter of William and Catherine (Davidson) Wright, of Randolph county. The father was a soldier in the Civil ^^'ar and he died Soon. after the war, his wife dying in 1867, leaving five small orphan children, all of whom are now deceased except Mrs. Green and Mrs. Dora E. Pursley of Farmland.

To Alva C. Green and wife have been born three sons and one daughter, namely: William T. is married and lives in Winchester; Dora E. is the wife of Carl Hufifman, of White River township; Clyde E. lives in Winchester, and Ollie B., who lives at home, is attending high school.

Since his marriage Mr. Green has lived on,.his present farm, which adjoins the old home farm four miles southwest of Winchester. He has a wellimproved and productive place of one hundred and twenty acres, where he carries on general farming and stock raising. For a number of years he was a breeder of fine stock, Dutch belted registered cattle, owning the first herd in Randolph county; also bred the Essex and Suffolk hogs. He exhibited at all state fairs and at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, in 1893, where he took twelve premiums. He exhibited at state fairs from Kansas to New York and was always a premium taker. He has two quilts and a flag made from premium ribbons taken at various fairs. He raised these animals for breeding purposes, and shipped to all the states in the Union and to Cuba and several South American countries. He won world-wide renown through his exceptionally fine livestock which were greatly admired by all who saw them, and which he sold at fancy prices, no small portion of his substantial fortune having been made in this manner. He is one of the best judges of all kinds of live stock that could be found in the state of Indiana today. He was for many years a member of the American Dutch Breeders' Association, the American Essex Breeders' Association and was president of the latter for a period of four years, discharging the important duties of the same in a manner that reflected much credit upon himself and to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned, doing much to increase the prestige and good work of the association during that period. He is also a poultry fancier and a raiser of White Wyandotte chickens and Buff turkeys, and is an extensive shipper of eggs for hatching purposes to all parts of the country, including every state and Canada. He is still a large producer in the poultry business, but has not been actively engaged in the livestock business for several years.

Mr. Green has been a Republican in politics all his mature years, but has never been active in public matters. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Encampment, a charter member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and also a charter member of the Tribe of Ben-Hur. He and his family belong to the Friends church, in which he and his wife are active workers and overseers. They stand high in the best circles in the community and are pleasant, neighborly and obliging and number their friends by the scores.

Herbert M. Kabel

Herbert M. Kabel, of Winchester, was born in Randolph county, September 2^, 1880, and is the son of Frederick and Mary Florence (Mercer) Kabel. He was educated at Normal School at Muncie and at the Central Normal College. He thereupon adopted the profession of teacher, for which he had patiently and thoroughly equipped himself. This profession he followed for thirteen years and made a reputation in educational circles to be envied by even the most successful. To large natural capacity he added the most careful and efficient training, and thus became in the highest sense of the word a scientific instructor. It is to the ability and labor of such teachers as Mr. Kabel that the schools of Indiana owe their enviable reputa- tion. He mastered the principles and details of his profession, and his achievements in the mental training of his pupils is evidence of his mastery.

The present occupation of Mr. Kabel is that of cabinet maker, which he pursues quite as ardently and successfully as he did that of instructor. In this line he is an extensive manufacturer and is one of the most reliable and enterprising in the state. Mr. Kabel has five sisters and had one brother, who died in his youth. Mary Florence, of Wayne county is the wife of Clyde Miller, a farmer. They have one child. A former husband was Bruce Keever, also a farmer, and one child was the result of this union. Iva B., of Randolph county, married Percy G. Stump, a farmer, and has two children. Philip Ray, the only brother, died at the age of sixteen. Clara married Henry Johnson, now dead, and of this marriage there was no issue. Ella and Elfie are single.

Mr. Kabel's ancestry is historic, and reaches back to association with the great Napoleon. That is something worth remembering, for surely no other man ever so revolutionized the world and created consternation in the hearts of kings as did Napoleon. The father of Mr. Kabel was a Randolph county farmer. His grandfather was from Frankfort, Germany. He was a tailor for a number of years, then joined the French army and came to the United States from France. His great grandfather furnished foodstuffs for the army of Napoleon. That was something of a regular occupation for the men who engaged in it, for Napoleon was always recruiting his ranks. Mr. Kabel had the distinction of seeing the Corsican in his amicable and also his frowning moods, and his reminiscences of the world's greatest strategist had the lively interest of recitals by an eyewitness. The mother of Herbert M. Kabel was born in Randolph county and survives at the age of fifty-four. His father is living at the age of sixty. His grandmother came to Indiana from Ohio and was ninety-six at the time of her death.

September 4, 1901, Mr. Kabel married Alma Gwin of Randolph county. She is one of three children and her mother still survives. Roger Flarold, born July 10, 1902, and Virginia Florence, born September 7, 1908, are the children of Mr. and IMrs. Kabel, and two sprightlier, healthier and happier young Hoosiers would be difficult to find. Each is a reigning sensation in the home, and neither father nor mother plays a favorite. They look upon the children as the sunbeams of the household and cultivate their association as an inspiration to love and cheerfulness. Ronald, the youngest child, died in infancy.

politics a Republican. He takes a broad and profound view of politics antl indorses the policy of his party for what he esteems its achievements for half a century in the promotion of popular government. He has the distinction of being the first man in Indiana to receive a certificate for manual training. And now when manual instruction has become so popular and familiar, this is quite a remarkable distinction.

Volney H. Huston

Few present day business men of Winchester are better known or more highly esteemed than Volney H. Huston, for he seems to be the possessor of that peculiar combination of attributes which results in the attainment of much that is worth while in this world. He has ever aimed to be progressive in what he does, is always in sympathy with enterprises having for their object the common good, and his influence is invariably exerted on the right side of every moral issue. Like all men of positive character and independence of mind, he is outspoken in what he considers right, and his convictions are such that those who have come into close contact with him know well his position on all questions. His private life has always been exemplary, and his genial and obliging nature makes him popular with all classes.

Mr. Huston was born May 2, 1857, in White River township, Randolph county, on a farm, two and one-half miles southwest of Winchester. He is a son of David M. and Rebecca (Miller) Huston. The father was born in Preble county, Ohio, where he remained until about 1840, when he was seventeen years old, when he came with his father, John Huston, and the rest of the family to Randolph county and settled in the woods on the farm where the subject of this sketch was born. There they erected a log cabin, cleared and developed a farm like the rest of the pioneers. David M. Huston devoted his life to general farming iii this county and became an influential man' in his neighborhood. He left the farm in 1874 and moved to Winchester, where he engaged in small fruit growing and gardening, later establishing the first coal and wood yard in Winchester, which he operated for several years and was succeeded by Stephen Clevenger. He spent the rest of his life in retirement. Politically, he was a Republican and was active in public affairs as affecting the community in which he lived. He and his wife were members of the United Brethren church. His death occurred January 31, 1896, at the age of seventy-three years, his widow surviving until April, 1901. They were the parents of eight children, of whom \''olney H. is next to the youngest. One of the children is deceased.

Volney H. Huston was reared on the farm until he was seventeen years old, and he received his early education in the district schools. At the age mentioned above he moved with the family to Winchester and here attended high school, and assisted his father meanwhile in gardening and fruit growing. In the fall of 1878 he went to Moultrie county, Illinois, where he taught school, but boarded just across the line in Piatt county with his sister, and received his mail in Douglass county. He taught one term, during which he formed the acquaintance of Joe Cannon, formerly Congressman from that state, who was at that time a budding politician. Returning to Randolph county, Mr. Huston taught in the district schools for seven years, all in \A'hite Ri\-er township but one when he taught in Green township. He gave splendid satisfaction as a teacher, being popular with both pupils and patrons. On March 18, 1886, the evening of the last day of his last school, Mr. Huston married Kathryn Miller, a daughter of Samuel and Nancy (Troup) Miller, a highly respected family of Germantown, Montgomery coilnty, Ohio, where she was reared and educated. This union has been without issue.

April I, 1886, a few days after his marriage, Mr. Huston began clerking in the store of W. E. Miller in Winchester. As a salesman he remained for three years, at the end of which time Mr. Miller's bookkeeper resigned and Mr. Huston was promoted to that position which he filled with much credit for a period of twenty years. When the W. E. Miller Company was incorporated our subject became a stockholder and director in the company and secretary of the corporation, which position he still holds. As the business grew he became head bookkeeper with assistants. In October, 1908, on account of trouble with his eyes, he gave up office work and became head of the carpet department, succeeding John A. Barnes, who died after eighteen years of service there. Mr. Huston still has charge of this department and does the buying and also has general supervision of the office. He has done much toward making this one of the leading department stores of Indiana outside of the larger cities, and it would be a credit to cities much larger than Win Chester. It is up-to-date in every respect and an enormous annual business is carried on with the surrounding country.