Randolph County, Indiana - Biographical sketches (2 of 2 so headed), 1914 (part 12 of 20)

Robert W. Hamilton was fourteen years old when he accompanied his parents to the Hoosier state and here he grew to manhood, helping his father clear and develop the homestead, remaining there until he was eighteen years of age. He received his early education in the common schools of his native state and in Fayette county, this state. In 1837 he went to Richmond, Coles county, Illinois, and began life for himself by engaging in the grocery business which he conducted but a short time. While there he married, February 13, 1839, Mrs. Malinda Matthews, nee Lowell. Soon thereafter they came to Waterloo, Fayette county, Indiana, and there located, Four years later they removed to Hillsboro, Wayne county, Indiana; his wife's death occurring in Richmond on August 15, 1854. He subsequently married Mrs. Sarah (Stetler) Bascom, and they located in Lynn, Randolph county, 1855, and here Captain Hamilton engaged in the practice of medicine until his death, August 3, 1891. He was a successful and popular general family doctor, one of the leaders of his profession in his day and generation in this section of the state. His second wife had preceded him to the grave on May i, 1881, and on May 4, 1882, he married Mrs. Eliza Laison. As before intimated, his union with his first wife resulted in the birth of three (82) sons, viz.: James Alexander, died in infancy; Wm. A., was a graduate of Ann Arbor. He was rapidly becoming a popular physician at Lynn, but died on October 13, 1874. He was also a soldier in Company C, Xineteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, ser\ing three full years in the army of the Potomac; James M., subject.

Dr. Robert ^^^ Hamilton began the study of medicine when seventeen years of age at Brownsville, Indiana, and he completed his studies at Waterloo. He began practice at Hillsboro, in 1848, and from that time until the end of his life, a period of forty-three years, he enjoyed an ever growing and lucrative practice, with the exception of a year and a half spent in the army during the Civil war. He had the remarkable record of never losing a case of diphtheria or scarlet fever. In July, 1861, he enlisted as a recruit in Company C, Xineteenth Indiana A^olunteer Infantry, and was chosen captain of the same, being the first commissioned officer from Randolph county in the three years' ser^ice. Hon. W. E. Murray was the first man enlisted in the company. The doctor proved to be a gallant and efficient soldier for the Union, but after eighteen months he was compelled to resign on account of ill health, receiving a paralytic stroke in September, 1861, from which he never fully recovered. In addition to his duties of commanding officer he was registered as acting surgeon, and rendered a great deal of splendid service in that capacit). After resigning from the army he returned home and resumed practice. He also successfully engaged in the real estate and mercantile business and was a very busy man. He accumulated a handsome competency by his ability and industry. He was first a ^Vhig, then a Republican and was active in public matters. Fraternally, he belonged to the Ancient Free and Accepted ^Masons, and for nearly a quarter of a century was honored by the position of worshipful master. He was a public-spirited man and assisted in every way possible in the general improvement of his county and was one of the most influential and popular men in this locality. James ^l. Hamilton was ten years of age when, in 1855, he came with his parents to Lynn, Randolph county, and here he has since made his home, his residence of fifty-eight years bringing to him ever greater esteem from his contemporaries. During that period he has seen great changes and has aided in many of them for the permanent improvement of the town and county. Since 1882 he has been connected with the railway mail service. He received a common school education in the rural schools and in the city of ^^^inchester. ^^'hen a boy he learned the printer's trade in the office of The Randolph County Journal and followed the same until July 15. 1861, when, although but sixteen 3'ears of age, he proved his courage by enhsting in Company C, Nineteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, but was rejected owing to his youth. Nothing daunted, however, he went to the front" as an officer's servant where he remained nineteen months and was in the battle of Lewisville. Virginia, September 11, 1861. Returning home he went to Vicksburg, Mississippi with the state sanitary committee, to look after the sick and wounded soldiers of Indiana. November 3, 1863, he again enlisted, this time becoming a private in Company G, One Hundred and Twentyfourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Asa Teal, and served the union faithfully until the close of the struggle, seeing much hard service, including the battles of Dalton, Resaca, Altoona, Kenesaw Mountain, Chattanooga, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Columbia, Franklin, Goldsboro and Wise's Fork, North Carolina. He received a furlough, at Raleigh, North Carolina, August 31, 1865, and started home. On going to Indianapolis to to be mustered out he was again called to Greensboro, North Carolina. He still has in his possession his description roll and marks thereon made by his captain, which contain the following : Sergeant James M. Hamilton took an active part in the Georgia campaign from Dalton to Jonesboro, was in the battles of Franklin and Nashville, and took, a very conspicuous part in the battle of Wise's Fork, North Carolina, March 8, 9, and 10, 1865. He possesses all the qualities of a good soldier. He also has a furlough pass in his possession, given May 3, until June 3, 1865. He was at the organization of the regiment, was commissioned orderly sergeant and held the commission all through his term of service.

After his military career, Mr. Hamilton worked at the printer's trade at Union City, Indiana, and read medicine in the office of Dr. Jayne, until December, 1866, when he came to Lynn, Randolph county, and engaged in reading medicine with his father. Although he vyould doubtless have made a successful and prominent physician, he finally abandoned the study of medicine and worked at various employments until November, 1884, when he took charge of The Decatur Eagle, at Decatur, Indiana, and continued as forefnan of that paper until 1876. He was then variously employed until 1882, when he was given a position in the railway mail service, through the recommendation of General Thomas M. Browne, by Postmaster General Maynard, under President Arthur, on the Indiana Bloomington and Western railroad, now a branch of the Big Four. He has always been on this line and has been promoted from the probationary degree to the highest post in this branch of the service, in consequence has long received the high-

Air. Hamilton was married in Union City, Indiana, November 11, 1866, to Catherine X. Ennis, vi^ho was born in Winchester, May 25, 1842, and is a daughter of James C. and Isabel (Page) Ennis. To this union four children were born, namely : Malinda I., who was married to Charles L. Heichert, November 30, 1893; Alpheus O., Robert C, and Edward G. These children were given good educati(Mial advantages and are well situated in life.

Politically, ]\Ir. Hamilton raised the first pole and hoisted the first flag, bearing the names of Fremont and Dayton, in Randolph county, in 1856. He has ever been active and influential in public affairs. He served as president of the town board of Lynn one term, and took the census of Washington township in 1880. He was an active member of the Independent Order of Good Templars, and led in the Murphy temperance movement in 1876, the organization numbering over three hundred members at Lynn. He became a member of Lynn Lodge, Xo. 223, Free and Accepted Masons, in Xovember, 1867, and ser\ed two years as worshipful ma.ster. Also member of Randolph Chapter X'o. 35, and Council X'o. 20, at Winchester, Indiana. He joined Lynn Lodge X'o. 294, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at its organization in Xovember, 1887, and served one year as noble grand of that lodge. He was a member of the original organization of the Grand Army of the Republic, and served three years as post commander of Joe Cook Post, X'o. 296. He was a charter member of Lynn Lodge, Xo. 119, Knights of Pythias, at its organization in 1884, and is also a member of the Captain R. W. Hamilton Camp, X"o. 292, Sons of Veterans. He has been an active and faithful member of all these organizations. He and his wife belong to the Methodist church.

Besides his valuable home property, INIr. Hamilton is owner of eighty acres of well improved and productive farming land in Randolph county. From 1870 to 1872, inclusive, he was engaged in the flouring mill, saw mill and planing mill business, and in 1876, in connection with J. L. P. Frist he established a tile factory, which they operated for two years. He has been very successful in a business way and is one of the substantial and publicspirited men of Lynn. He is kind, neighborly and charitably inclined. He enjoys the unqualified confidence and esteem of all who know him as a result of his exemplary life, and in every way he merits the high regard in which he is universallv held.

Frank B. Porter

This biographical memoir has to do with a character of unusual force, for Frank B. Porter, whose life chapter has been closed by the fate that awaits us all, was for a number of years one of the popular and successful business men of Parker, Randolph county. While he carried on a special line of business in such a manner as to gain a comfortable competency for himself, he also belonged to that class of representative citizens who promote the public welfare while advancing individual success. There were in him sterling traits which commanded uniform confidence and regard, and his memory is today honored by all who knew him and is enshrined in the hearts of his many friends.

Frank B. Porter, well-known druggist, was born in Decatur, Indiana, December 7, 1879. He was a son of John R. and Sarah I. (Davis) Porter, whose family consisted of seven children, namely : Frank B., subject of this sketch; Curtis died in infancy; Velma married H. H. McGill, a machinist, and they live in Ohio ; Gertrude died in infancy ; Chalmer O. ; Leah Viola ; Thurman E., born February 7, 1888, on the homestead where all the children were born; he was educated in the local schools and the high school, after which he taught school for two years, then entered the drug business in which he has remained.

Frank B. Porter grew to manhood on the home farm and worked there when a boy, and received a good public school education. He and Thurman E. took the prescribed drug course and became registered pharmacists. Our subject taught school very acceptably for three years, then turned his attention to the drug business which he followed the -rest of his life. He and his brother Thurman E. worked in the same drug store for a period of four years. In 1906 Frank B. came to the town of Parker and purchased a drug store in partnership with M. T. Atwood, which continued for one year, when Mr. Porter bought his partner out. Then Thurman E. Porter purchased a half interest on January i, 19 10, and the brothers enjoyed a large and rapidly growing trade with the town and surrounding country, carrying a large and carefully selected stock of drugs and drug sundries - everything to be found in an up-to-date drug store, and, being honest and courteous in their treatment of their hundreds of customers, enjoyed the confidence and good will of every one. Their store was always a credit to the community and would have, in fact, been a credit to a much larger place. Thurman E. Porter still runs the business in the interest of himself and our subject's widow, who was known in her maidenhood as Lillian D. Blacka-

Frank B. Porter was married first on December 25, 1899, to Miis Flora Frazier, of Decatur, Indiana. One child was born to them, Leah. Airs. Porter died January, 1902.

Thurman E. Porter married Lettie Gates, a daughter of John Gates, the prominent stock buyer of this ^locality. Airs. Porter being one of four children.

Frank B. Porter was a .member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Politically, he was a Democrat. Thurman E. Porter is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Alasonic Order, being master of the Lodge No. 2, Free and Accepted Alasons.

The death of Frank B. Porter occurred on June 11, 1912, caused by a runaway accident, and his untimely taking off was deeply deplored by the entire community where he was very popular and greatly beloved by all classes.

Siaion B. Keckler

Lumbering has been one of the chief industries of the section of the Middle \A'est with which this history deals for many decades and the vast forests found here by the pioneers have furnished lumber for many states, employment for thousands of men and made a vast number of people wealthy. It has always been- regarded as one of the most desirable lines of business, yet not everyone has succeeded who has essayed this precarious field of endeavor. Alany things are necessary to insure success, not the least of which is perseverance, courage, keen foresight and indomitable industry. These and other necessary characteristics seem to be possessed by Simon B. Keckler, proprietor of the most extensive lumber yard in Randolph county, his place of business and residence being at the town of Parker.

Air. Keckler was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, Alay 29, i860. He is a son of John and Julia Ann (Dunaway) Keckler, and is one of a family of eight children, five sons and three daughters, namely: Ephraim who died at the age of forty-three years, married Fannie AlcCarthy; he was a commercial traveler, and his family consisted of four children; Elizabeth, of AA'eaver Station, Ohio, married David Dull, and they have two children, both grown and married ; Alarie A. is the wife of W. H. Scofield, of Eaton, Ohio, whose union has been without issue; Simon B., of this review; Will- iam H., who died in 1906, was a lumber dealer, married Mary E. Lambertson and they had one child; John W., of Yorkshire, Ohio, married Emma Hall, of Pickaway county, that state, and they have one child, Cyril C. ; Emma who married Wills E. Ayers, a school teacher and farmer, died some time ago and left nine children; James D., a farmer of Angola, Indiana, married Nora Rupel, and they have three children.

John Keckler, father of the above named children, was born July 11, 1826, near Bremen, .Ohio, was a blacksmith by trade in his earlier years, but devoted most of his life to farming. He moved to Darke county, Ohio, in 1861, buying a farm near Greenville, on which he spent the rest of his life. His death occurred August i, 1897. His wife was a native of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, born there January i, 1828, and she was brought to Ohio when an infant by her parents who settled in Fairfield county. She was nine years old when her parents moved to Wells county, Indiana, where they purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, all timber, so heavy that the father was compelled to clear a place before he could erect his log cabin. By hard work he cleared his land and established a good home there. Our subject's mother was twice married. First to George Reynolds, and after his death married on May 26, 1859 to John Keckler, our subject's father. Her death occurred June 15, 1900, at the age of nearly seventythree years.

James Keckler, grandfather of our subject, was a cooper by trade, and he lived in Fairfield county, Ohio. Jacob Keckler, the great grandfather, was a Revolutionary soldier under George Washington. The Dunaways, the mother's people, were of English descent and lived in Pennsylvania before coming to Ohio. The father of the subject of this sketch was left an orphan when four years old.

Simon B. Keckler was reared on the home farm and there he worked when a boy. He received his education in the public schools. On March 21, i88'2, he married Susanna May Mote, a daughter of Elias Mote, a farmer of Ansonia, Ohio. To our subject and wife three sons were born, -namely: Cleo Earl, who married Alargaret Vineyard, of Eaton, Indiana, on August 24, 1 9 10, is with his father in the lumber business, and owns a fine home opposite their yards in Parker; William Gale, born December 2, 1886, is connected with a house furnishing store in St. Paul, Minnesota; Paul E., born October 20, 1895, is also with his father in the lumber business. He is a graduate of the Parker High School with the class of 1914.

Simon B. Keckler came to Parker, Indiana, in October, 1904, and purchased the lumber yard here of A. Fletcher, which he has conducted to the

.present time with great and ever increasing success, carrying one of the largest, most complete and carefully selected stocks of lumber at all seasons to be found in this section of the state, and he does a very extensive business over a large territory. He has a fine home in Parker and is one of the town's most substantial and popular citizens.

I Mr. Keckler is a Democrat politically, and he belongs to the Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He attends the Methodist church.

Frank E. Wright

One of the enterprising young publicists of northeastern Indiana who is deserving of commendation for what he is accomplishing in his special sphere of endeavor is Frank E. Wright, of The Lynn Herald. He has made good in the field of journalism because he has worked hard and persistently and because he has not permitted the usual obstacles that beset the lives of all who enter on the thorny path of the "wielder of the quill" to down him.

Mr. Wright was born in Lynn, Indiana, November 19, 1877. He is a son of H. T. and Mary E. Wright, the father born in Bethel, Indiana, in 1853,, and the mother born in Arba, Indiana, in 1854. He was reared on the old home farm and was graduated from the Lynn common schools, leading his class, at the age of fourteen years. He subsequently attended Lynn high school and then took a two years' Normal course, expecting to teach, but after securing his license changed his plans and attended the Cincinnati Mohler Barber College and after graduating opened up a barber shop in his home town, enjoying an extensive trade for four years. Not seeing an advancement and a chance for intellectual growth in the business he sold out in the spring of 1902 and purchased a one-half interest in The Lynn Heraid, which had been started in 1898 by S. H. Light & Son. In the short time of ten months Mr. Wright mastered the business sufficiently to warrant his purchasing the entire business, becoming sole proprietor, publisher and editor, on March i, 1903.

The paper which had had a hard struggle to live underwent decided changes, becoming a strong factor in the 'community and county. The subscription list soon quadrupled itself, and the plant became a lucrative business, enabling the proprietor to bring to Lynn the first slug type casting machine ever brought into Randolph county, the first cylinder press ever run in Lynn, and also to purchase a substantial business home for the plant and one of the best residences on South Garfield street of his home town.

Mr. Wright was married January 14, 1903, to Lillian L. Fudge, who passed away in the year 19 10, leaving two little sons, one of which was less than a week old at the time of his mother's death.

Mr. Wright was again married on May 16, 19 12, his last wife being known in her maidenhood as Mabel R. Riddlebarger, an accomplished musician and talented school teacher of Ridgeville, Indiana. She has done much to aid in the success of the newspaper work of her husband, besides becoming a mother to the two little sons, J. Harold and Donald Lee.

Mr. Wright is a prominent member of the Friends church, and politically, is a loyal Republican, which party has honored him on various occasions as a delegate to Congressional conventions and a place on local tickets.

Mr. Wright has done considerable work on the lecture platform, receiving especially high press comment on his lecture, "Anchored to a Dead-head." As a speaker he is forceful, earnest and at times truly eloquent and never fails to both instruct and entertain his audience.

Clifford C. Fisher

Among the progressive and prominent business men of Randolph county is Clifford C. Fisher, of Union City, formerly cashier and now president of the Atlas State Bank, and is also engaged in the fire insurance business and is one of the best known men in this field of endeavor in this section of the state. The qualities of keen discrimination, sound judgment and executive ability enter very largely into his makeup and have been contributing elements to the material success which has come to him.

Mr. Fisher was born in the city and county named in the preceding' paragraph, on October 21, 1874. He is a son of Robert S. Fisher, who was born in Wayne county, Indiana, in 1835. He was a banker during his business life, was cashier of the Commercial Bank, of Union City, and was the organizer of that bank, which was first known as the First National Bank, later being changed to the Commercial Bank. He was a well known financier and successful business man. At the time of his death, which occurred in 1880, he owned quite a little real estate. He married Rosalie A. Cottom, who was born in Williamsburg, Indiana, and she is still living, making her home in Union City, being now advanced in years. Our subject "has a half-sister, Mrs. Cora F. McMaster, who is making her home in Chicago.

Clifford C. Fisher was educated in the pubHc schools of Union City, later finishing his schooling at the Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois. He first commenced his business career in 1906 as cashier of the Atlas State Bank, of Union City, which position he held for two years. Upon se\'ering his connection with the bank in 1908 he engaged in the fire insurance business which he still continues with ever increasing success, having now the largest agency in ^he county by far. However, he is still connected with the Atlas State Bank, being president, and a director and stockholder in the same. He also owns an interest in the Pierce elevator, besides other outside investments, including the Randolph County Bank of W^inchester and the Peoples Bank of Portland. He is also owner of two well-improved and valuable farms in Ohio, containing in all four hundred and seventeen acres. On these places general farming and stock raising are carried on extensively, a specialty being made of raising and feeding cattle in large numbers. At this writing there are one hundred and sixtytwo head of principally high-grade cattle, man}' being registered thoroughbreds. ]\Ir. Fisher has spent much time and money during the past year building up-to-date and adequate stock barns and sheds, his barns being of large dimensions, and he has also built convenient shelters for his hogs and other livestock. He is an excellent judge of all kinds of stock, especially cattle. He has been very successful in a business way through the exercise of sound judgment, persistent industry, honorable dealings and a close adherence to the Golden Rule.

Politically, IMr. Fisher is a Republican, but he has never made any efforts to become a leader in jDolitical affairs, preferring to devote his attention exclusively to his large business interests. Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a liberal supporter of the same.

^Ir. Fisher was married November 19, 1896, to Ada L. Lewis, who was born in Union City, Indiana, July 20, 1876. She is daughter of Oliver L. and Jessie F. Lewis, a highly esteemed family of Union City, for many years, but the mother died in 191 1, and the father is now living at Springfield, ^lissouri, and is a conductor on the Frisco railroad. Airs. Fisher grew to womanhood in Union City and here she received her education, being a graduate of the local high school. To the union of our subject and wife two children have been born, namely: Alice L., born September 27, 1906; and Robert L., born April 16. 1910.

~Slv. and Air?. Fisher have a pleasant home in Union Citv which is the mecca for their many friends who always find there genuine hospitality and good cheer.

George' Vanpelt

The beginning of the career of the late George VanPelt, for many years one of the progressive farmers of Monroe township, Randolph county, was characterized by hard work and conscientious endeavor, and he owed his rise to no train of fortunate circumstances or fortuitous incidents. It was the reward of application of mental qualifications of a high order to the affairs of business, the combining with keen, mental activity that enabled him to grasp the opportunities that presented themselves. This he did with success and, what is more important, with honor. His integrity was ever unassailable, his honor unimpeachable, and he stood high with all who knew him.

George VanPelt was born in Highland county, Ohio, December 7, 1864. He was a son of John and Millicent (Morris) VanPelt. The great grandfather removed from Virginia to Belmont county, Ohio, where he engaged in farming and lived and died. The grandparents grew to maturity in Belmont county and remained there some time after their marriage, then moved to Clinton county, Ohio, and remained there until 1868, when they emigrated to Randolph county, Indiana, locating near Farmland, where the elder VanPelt purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty-eight acres. He had owned two farms in Ohio aggregating two hundred and twenty acres. John VanPelt remained on his farm in this county until 1880 at which time he purchased a farm of one hundred and fifty-five acres near the city of AVinchester, later purchasing forty acres more. He was very successful in a business way, and his dealings were always characterized by honesty and a high sense of justice. His death occurred in 1884, his wife surviving several years.

Our subject was one of four children, all boys, namely : William A., who is farming in Monroe township, married Elizabeth A. Wood, and they have one daughter living, Mabel, and Carrie, who married C. L. Shaffer, died April 14, 1914; David is fai-ming near Winchester, is married and has two sons; George, subject of this memoir; James died at the age of sixteen years.

George VanPelt was three years old when brought by his parents to Randolph county. He grew up on the farm and received a common schooleducation. On July 16,1887, he married Mary C. Kaugher, a daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Oswalt) Kaugher. Mr. Kaugher had been a prominent farmer in Stark county, Ohio, finally moving to Randolph county, Indiana, where he continued the same business. His family consisted of five children, namely: John, Sherman, Joseph, Angeline and Mary C. The mother died in 1881, after which the father removed to Winchester.

To George VanPelt and wife eight children were born, namely : Charles who died in infancy; James Orley, born November 10, 1889, is operating the home farm with his brother John, who was born April 20, 1893; Cressie, born August 23, 1891, is at home; Hazel died in infancy; Ruby, born March I, 1897; Harry, born May 2, 1899; Ira, born May 14, 1902.

After George VanPelt's marriage he moved to a farm of one hundred acres in Monroe township where he spent the rest of his life, this fine land being a legacy of his father. He placed the farm under an excellent state of improvement, erecting, at considerable expense, a convenient and comfortable dwelling.

Politically, Mr. VanPelt was a Republican and took an abiding interest in public affairs. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was summoned to close his eyes on earthly scenes on December I, 19 10, and the community felt a distinct loss, for he was a good and useful man.

Ira C. Penery

In requires a peculiar combination of attributes to become a successful newspaper man. It is by no means everyone who can win his spurs in this precarious field, no matter how much courage and perseverance one may have. True, these are characteristics which are indispensible, but there must also be others of more importance, such as the indefinable "nose for news," the ability to discriminate clearly and quickly between local and general news, or what is and what is not news of any kind, the tact to under^ stand the proper treatment of news when it is obtained, the knowledge of how to make a newspaper that will be pleasing to all classes of readers. These things seem to be clearK'- understood by Ira C. Penery, editor and publisher of The Randolph County Enterprise of Farmland, and The Losantville Independent of Losantville. Although a -young man he stands in the front rank of journalists in this section of the Hoosier state and his paper is among the best of its type in the state.

Mr. Penery was born in Monroe township, Randolph county, May i, 1880. He is a son of Hamilton L. and Sylvera B. (Shaw) Penery, whose family consisted of five children, three sons and two daughters, namely: Nellie G., who lives near Farmland, is the wife of Samuel G. Goddard, a farmer, and they have two children, Jewell and Samuel Allen; Ira C., of this sketch; Ervin R., a farnner living near Farmland, married Minnie Dull, and thev have two children, Lester and Mabel ; Emory, a marble-worker of

Hamilton L. Penery is a native of Virginia, where he grew to manhood and was educated and from which state he emigrated to Indiana, when a young man, locating in Randolph county where he has continued to reside to the present time. He operated a saw mill, becoming one of the best known men in that line of business in the county, remaining in the same up to 1897, since which time he has owned and operated a good farm in the vicinity of Farmland, where he still lives, carrying on general farming and stock raising.

Our subject's mother, Sylvera B. Shaw, is the daughter of Reuben C. and Rebecca P. (Smith) Shaw. The father was a native of Massachusetts, son of David E. Shaw, who was born in Maine in 1801, to which state Reuben C. Shaw was taken when six years old, by his parents where he spent eight years. He received part of his education in Boston, and when a boy took a position as salesman in a china and glassware house in that city. Later he began working at the carpenter's trade which he followed about three years. Then he crossed the continent overland with the "fortyniners" to the gold fields of California where he mined for a time, returning to Boston in 185 1, by way of the Isthmus of Panama, and resumed his trade. He came to Ross county, Ohio, in 1852, where he remained until 1 86 1, when he moved to Farmland, Randolph county, Indiana, and here establ-ished his permanent home, purchasing a farm, and became one of the successful agriculturists of the county, dividing most of his large farm among his children in 1890. He and Rebecca P. Smith were married in May, 1847. She was also a native of Massachusetts. To this union five children were born, namely : Walter C, who became a carpenter and established his home in Tennessee ; Mrs. Sylvera B. Penery, mother of our subject; Josephine W., who married Oliver H. Warren; Frank L. and Fred P., both became prominent citizens of Monroe township, Randolph county. Besides farming Reuben C. Shav/ became prominently identified with numerous business enterprises, such as an extensive poultry business which was started in 1873 and continued for many years; also he assisted in organizing the bank at Farmland in 1887, of which he was made vicepresident and director. He filled the office of drainage commissioner for over three years. He was always a Republican, and he was active in the field of archaeological research, securing a valuable collection of historic relics, Indian curios, etc., regarded as one of the largest and most valuable of its

Ira C. Penery, of this sketch, grew to manhood on the home farm and he received a common school education and in the Tri-State Normal at Angola. He farmed for some time when starting out in life for himself, but determined to enter the newspaper field, so he purchased The Randolph County Enterprise in 1905, which he has since conducted most successfully, building up its circulation* and rendering it a valuable advertising medium. Its mechanical appearance is all that could be desired and its columns teem with the latest and best news. Its editorials are convincing and it wields a potent influence in this locality.

Amos F. Meeks

It is a pleasure to anyone, whether a farmer or not, to look over a well improved and finely kept landed estate like that of Amos F. Meeks, of Monroe township, Randolph county, for he is a man who believes in keeping abreast of the times, in adopting, so far as practicable, the most approved twentieth century methods in general farming and stock raising. As a result of his long years of husbandry here he has about solved the question of scientific farming as we know and understand it today. He has always stood for progressiveness, not only in material things, but political, educational and moral matters, being always an advocate of wholesome living both in private and public life, and while laboring for his individual advancement he has never been found neglectful of his duties to his neighbors and the general public.

Mr. Meeks was born in Delaware county, Indiana, December 9, 1856. He is a son of Amos and Levina (Thomas) Meeks, and is one of a large family of seventeen children, only four of whom survive at this writing, namely : Jacob, who is farming near Parker ; Matilda married Henry Wright, a farmer of near Paris,. Illinois, and they have ten children; Isadore married John C. Huffman, a farmer of Delaware county, Indiana, and they have two sons; Amos F., of this sketch.

Amos Meeks, father of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, was born in Virginia where he grew to manhood and received his education in the schools of the early days. His father lived and died in the Old Do- minion. Amos Meeks and Levina Thomas were married in Virginia, she being from an old family of that state also, and there she spent her girlhood and received a similar education to that of her husband. He was a great student in his early life and prepared himself for a teacher which profession he followed successfully for a number of years. He finally brought his wife to Delaware county, Indiana, and later moved just across the line to Randolph county where his son, Amos F., now resides, his farm lying partly in each county, and here he became a substantial general farmer and stock raiser and spent the rest of his life, dying in 1877. O^^'' suljject who has always followed farming, has kept the home place well improved and well tilled and is carrying on general agricultural pursuits and stock raising successfully. He grew to manhood on the farm and received a common school education.

Mr. Meeks was married June 10, 1880, to Flora Minton, a lady of many commendable attributes of head and heart, who has been of great assistance to her husband in his life work, for she possesses rare business judgment and is talented along many lines, highly educated and keeps fully abreast of the times in all current matters. She is a wide reader of the world's best literature and -is an excellent conversationalist. She often appears at public functions, and is a lecturer for Purdue, doing farmer's institute work,_ and has spoken at DePauw University and before other learned bodies, her addresses always being entertaining and instructive, forcefully and gracefully delivered, and her themes always vital and timely. She is a daughter of Harley C. Minton, a popular commercial traveler, and whose family consisted of but two daughters, Mrs. Flora Meeks, and Mrs. C. H. Mason, of Columbus, Ohio.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Meeks has been blessed by the birth of one child. Flora Ethel Meeks, born May 21, 1891. She is a young lady of culture, refinement and pleasing personality, a favorite with the best social circles wherever she is known. She was graduated from the Winchester High School, also DePauw University, Greencastle, Indiana, having made brilliant records in both for scholarship. She is at this writing teaching mathematics and English in Lincoln school. West Winchester, and is giving eminent satisfaction. Mrs. Meeks was reared in her native community and received excellent educational advantages, and she taught for a period of fifteen years in the schools of Randolph and Delaware counties with much success. She is now engaged in Purdue extension work - agricultural. Her great grandfather was a captain in the Revolutionary war, in the cavalry service and was a gallant fighter for the liberty of the colonists. He was a minister in the Methodist church and under his ministry the iate Bishop Mc- Cabe was converted. Two uncles of Mrs. Meeks were soldiers in the Civil war.

Mr. Meeks is a Republican, but has never been especially active in public affairs. He and his family are members of the Methodist church, and stand high in the local congregation.

Norman Anderson

Among the men of sterling attributes of character who have impressed their personality upon . the community of their residence and have bprhe their full share in the upbuilding and development of the locality, mention must not be omitted of Norman Anderson, successful grain and flour dealer of Lynn, and formerly one of Randolph county's enterprising agriculturists. He is not only industrious but a man of upright principles, and aids in the advancement of his town and county in every way possible.

Mr. Anderson was born at Bethel, Wayne county, Indiana, November 25, 1857. He is a son of Wilson and Ann (Ellis) Anderson. The father was also born in Wayne county, January 13, 1836. He was a son of Jonathan and Catherine (Hiatt) Anderson. Jonathan Anderson was born in Kentucky in 1796 and there he spent his boyhood, removing to Indiana when only seventeen years of age and entering a large tract of land from the government in Wayne county, which he cleared and developed and there spent the rest of his life, dying in 1868. His wife died in 1865. They were a fine old pioneer couple, hard working and hospitable. Wilson Anderson was brought up on the old homestead, and in i860 he moved to Greensfork township, Randolph county where he lived and farmed until 1874, when he purchased one hundred and eighteen acres. As he prospered he added to his original holdings until he owned a fine farm of nearly two hundred and forty acres. He carried on general farming on an extensive scale and also dealt extensively in live stock. He was one of the leading farmers and stock men of his township for a number of years and was also influential in public matters. He was county commissioner for two terms from 1878 to 1884, and was also at one time township assessor. He gave eminent satisfaction in each office. He was a loyal Republican until 1884 when he turned Prohibitionist and did much thereafter for the cause of temperance. Wilson Anderson and Ann Ellis were married January 10, 1857. She was born in Wayne county, Indiana, October 4, 1840, and was a daughter of Peter M. and Lucinda (White) Ellis, who were pioneer settlers of Wayne county. The death of Mrs. Ann Anderson occurred November i, 1898.

Norman Anderson grew up on the" home farm and he received his education in the common schools and then spent one term in the Valparaiso Normal. He worked on the home farm until 1887 when he went to the village of Crete where he engaged in the grain business until 1901, when he pui-chased a farm of two hundred and seventy acres in Greensfork township and there carried on general farming and stock raising successfully until 1907 when he moved to Lynn where he resumed the grain business which he has continued to the present time, in partnership with his son-inlaw, O. M. Downard. They oijerate a large elevator and mill, the capacity of the former being ten thousand bushels, and the rnill has a capacity of six thousand bushels. They have built up a large, rapidly-growing and lucrative business. All grain except wheat is shipped. They handle the famous brand of "Bob White" flour, which is a great seller owing to its superior quality. They turn out sixty barrels daily and find a very ready market for the same. It is shipped all over the country.

Politically, Mr. Anderson is a Republican. He is a member of the Christian church, and fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past grand; and also belongs to the Encarnpment of which he is past chief patriarch.

Mr. Anderson was married October 4, 1879, to Belle Chenoweth. She was born in Randolph county, September 19, 1858, and here she grew to womanhood and received her education. She is a daughter of E. M. and Ruth (Bowen) Chenoweth. To our subject and wife five children have been born, namely: Ethel "is the wife of O. M. Downard; Noral is on the - home farm; Nione is the wife of Harry Johnson; Denzil M. is engaged in the shoe business in Lynh; Ruth is at home.

Denzil Merle Anderson

One must not expect to succeed in the mercantile business in a short time, neither do rewards come in this field of endeavor to the indolent and careless, but to those who plan well and are honest and persistent in the execution of their tasks neither can lai-ge returns be expected with no -reverses. It takes years, as a rule, to do big things in any line, and one cannot build Up an extensive and lucrative business in a few months. Realizing that it meant hard and consecutive endea- vor to become a successful shoe dealer,, Denzil Merle Anderson, of Lynn, Randolph county, has sought to utiHze every moment and every opportunity in his chosen vocation and is therefore succeeding admirably and ranks among our most progressive young business men, and, judging from his splendid success so early, one must necessarily predict for him a bright future in the world of industry.

Mr. Anderson was boi'n at Crete, Randolph county, October 18, 1892. He is a son of Norman *and Belle (Chenoweth) Anderson, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.

Denzil M- Anderson received a common school education and spent one year in the Valparaiso Normal, after which he formed a partnership with E. M. Clark in the shoe business in Lynn, January 15, 1911. He bought his partner out and has since been conducting the store alone, enjoying a constantly growing and extensive business. He has the only exclusive shoe store in Lynn, and carries a large and up-todate stock of footwear at all seasons; in fact, his store would be a credit to towns larger than Lynn. He draws his many customers from all over this section of the county, many coming from remote parts of the same, for they know that here they will receive fair and courteous treatment.

Mr. Anderson was married December 31, 1910, to Marie Hopkins, who was partly reared and educated at Lynn,, and is a daughter of a highly respected family here. She was born at Portland, Indiana, October 8, 1891. She is a young lady of many charming characteristics.

Nelson B. Hiatt

It can not be other than interesting to note in the series of personal sketches appearing in this memorial and ; biographical history and varying conditions that have compassed those whose careers are outlined, and the effort has been made in each case to throw well-focused light onto the individuality and to bring into proper perspective the scheme of each character under consideration. Each man who strives to fulfill his part in connection with human life and human activities is deserving of recognition, whatever may be or have been the field of his endeavor, and it is the function of works of this nature to perpetuate for future generations an authentic record concerning those represented in its pages, and the value of such publication is certain to be cumulative for all time to come, showing forth the individual and specific accomplishments of which generic history is ever engendered.

One of the citizens of a past generation in Randolph county who is eminently deserving of a conspicuous place in the pages of the present work was the late Nelson B. Hiatt, for more than three decades a well known and successful merchant and business man of Ridgeville, and a citizen of honor and public-spirit who was highly esteemed by a vast acquaintance. He was born in Jay county, Indiana, July 19, 1848, and was a son of Jonathan and Ruth Hiatt, whose family consisted of fifteen children. The mother of our subject died when he was seven years old and the father married a second time, but the last union was without issue. Of the large family only one son and two daughters survive, namely: Lavina, wife of Hamilton Heller, of Pennville, Jay county; he is a retired farmer; twelve children were born to them: Ruth Anna married Charles Briggs, a farmer in Jay county, and they have four children; Jasper C, of Indianapolis, is a widower and has four children.

Jonathan Hiatt, mentioned above, devoted his life to farming. He was a native of North Carolina from which state he came to Jay county, Indiana, when a young man and there located on a farm. His death occurred at the age of seventy-two years.

Nelson B. Hiatt grew up on the home farm in Jay county and there assisted with the general work when a boy. He received his education in the common schools of that community, also passing through Ridgeville college. When but a boy he determined upon a career as merchant and he began in that field of endeavor at Pennville, in his native county, where he remained four years, then moved to Ridgeville, and there continued to operate a general store for a period of thirty-four years, or up to the time of his death. He enjoyed a large and lucrative business with the town and surrounding country, always carrying a wejl-selected stock of goods which he sold at reasonable prices, and his honesty and courtesy won him the good will and friendship of his hundreds of customers.

Mr. Hiatt was married June 28, 1875, to Rebecca Janney, a daughter of Mahlon and Frances S. (Taylor) Janney, whose family consisted of eleven children, five of whom survive. Mr. Janney devoted his life to farming.

One daughter was born to our subject and wife, Irma Frances, who married John McFarland, of Ridgeville, who was a teacher for sixteen years, and who at this writing is in charge of the store left by our subject. He has three children, Frances E., born in 1902; Portia, born in 1905, and Joseph Howard, born October, 1907. Our subject and wife also reared and educated Lillian Smithson, daughter of Michael and Lavina Smithson. She was born in 1886. Her parents died when she was three and one-half years of age and she was taken by subject and wife. She taught school up to the time of her marriage to Frank Mitchell, manager of the Ridgeville Telephone Co.

Mr. Hiaitt was a charter member of the Congregational church at Ridgeville. Politically, he was a I^rohibitionist, and was active in temperance work. He was city treasurer of Ridgeville four years, discharging the duties of the offite in a highly acceptable manner. He was one of the leading business men in this section of Randolph county. He was vicfe-president of the First National Bank of Ridgeville, which position he held from the time of its chartfer until his death. He was perhaps at that time the oldest business man in Ridgeville. He had a large, commodious home where his widow still lives. She holds a large share of the stock in the above named Bank and is a woman of no mean business ability and has mariy winning characteristics which have made her popular with a wide circle of friends.

The name of Rogers carries a burden of sentiment to the reader of United States history. It is a name that is distinctly American. Dr. Aaron G. Rogers, one of the most prominent physicians of Randolph county, is descended from a family which played its part well in the shaping of the first United States ; a family which has literally been in the vortex of human events and activities; and which has been represented in nearly every place where human passions have clashed, or civil and moral questions have been settled in "ithe court of blood." In the dubious years at the close of the eighteenth century there were Rogers, of the same family of our subject, who performed their duty heroically and faithfully; in 1812. in the '6o's, and in the intervening years when smaller strifes and Indian wars troubled the land, our subject's people have won their spurs in every sense of the word. Dr. Rogers, of this sketch, has not had the opportunity for military glory, but in a profession that requires the stamina and nerve of the battlefield he has been a commander; his work has been characterized by that conscientious devotion to duty, that disregard for self in the interest of others, which mai-k one as a man among men. It is for such men as Dr. Rogers that biography is intended, and so in this volume of Randolph county, it is highly appropriate that he should be given conspicuous mention, for it is to such as he that future generations point to in extolling the generations and years of the past.

Aaron G. Rogers was born in Henry county, Indiana, on August i8, 1849, ^nd was the son of Thornton and Eliza (Luellen) Rogers. Thornton Rogers was born in the state of Virginia, and came overland to Henry county, Indiana, when just a youth, with the intention of farming in the "new country," a task worthy of his fibre. Not only did he work in the interests of agriculture, but also served his brethren as a minister of the gospel, preaching in the Christian church of his community. He lived to reach the age of seventy-four years, his death being the result of an injury and not from any bodily weakness.

Thornton Rogers was twice married, first to Sarah Massy, and to this union were born the following children : John, deceased, a farmer and survived by a widow and two children; James, deceased, who was a soldier in the Civil war, and is survived by a widow; Malinda, deceased; and Elizabeth, who is also deceased. Thornton Roger's second wife was the mother of eight children, and they were : David, deceased, who was a member of the Union army during the Civil war, and who is survived by a widow and three children; Aaron G., our subject; Abigail, who jnarried S. G. Hays, now a widow, living on the old homestead; French, died at the age of two years; Mary, the wife of Amos Leeka, a Randolph county farmer, and the mother of two children, one of whom is dead; Amelia Jane, deceased, was the wife of Christian Richardson, a stock man, and is survived by two children ; Benjamin died at the age of ten years ; Priscilla Sarah, deceased, married George Hodson, and was the mother of three children.

Our subject's grandfather, Aaron G. Rogers, was a farmer, and the father of six children, five boys and one girl. He was a native of Virginia, and died in Missouri at the age of eighty-six years. Besides his farming activities he preached in the Methodist Episcopal church. His military record is interesting and notable. In 1794, when General "Mad Anthony" Wayne, the hero of Stony Point, New York, was sent into Ohio to quell the hostile Indian tribes there, Aaron Rogers was a soldier in the small army of rangers and riflemen. He braved the hardships along with the rest of that courageous company, and wielded his flintlock as effectively as any. Again, in 1812, he saw hard service under command of William Henry Harrison, after "Old Hickory" had made his name famous at Tippecanoe. The campaign against hostile Indians was practicallly ended for an interval by the defeat of the Shawnees at the above mentioned place, and conse- quently Aaron Roger's service was, for the most part, directed against the British, who were then in the process of being "Hcked" the second time. The mihtary career of Aaron Rogers was replete with interesting events and it is our regret that more space cannot be afforded for a complete account of them. His life was inspiring, as was the life of Joseph Rogers, our subject's great-grandfather, whom we narrate of in the following paragraph.

Joseph Rogers was probably a native of Virginia, as the Old Dominion was; acording to historical account, the home of the Rogers family, from the time of their voyage from the shores of the mother-country, Wales. Joseph Rogers was one of the first patriots who rallied to the flag when the Revolutionary war was declared. On that historic date of June 17, 1775, when the British troops around the town of Charleston, Massachusetts, stormed the Americans, fortified on Bunker Hill, Joseph Rogers was one of the noble hundreds who time after time drove the "red coats" back, and fought stubbornly until lack of ammunition lost the patriots the redoubt at the summit. He suffered a bullet wound in this engagement, but was not incapacitated for further service in the colonial army. John Rogers, Joseph's brother, was also a soldier in the American army. On September 11, 1777, at the battle of Brandywine, or Chad's Ford, Pennsylvania, he was killed by an English bullet. Joseph Rogers died after the war in Virginia.

Our subject's grandmother on his mother's side was Abigail Jones, and she was born in Virginia. She married a Virginia farmer and then they came to the Hoosier state, where she died at the age of eighty-nine years. Our subject's family, both paternal and maternal, are of Welsh descent.

Dr. Aaron G. Rogers was educated in the common schools of Middletown, Henry county, Indiana, and also graduated from the high school there. Having a strong ambition to enter into the profession of medicine, he matriculated at the Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1879, and in 1881 was graduated with high honors from that institution. In 1896-7 he took a second course in the same school. For one year he practiced successfully in Farmland, this county, then located at Parker in 1880, and here he has practiced ever since, with the exception of three years spent in Terre Haute, Indiana. In the practice of his profession, Dr. Rogers has always kept abreast of the times, and no physician of the county stands higher in the faith and confidence of the people. He is a doctor living in the age of antitoxins and serums, and despite the opposition to the use of specifics from certain quarters, has unbounded faith and dependence in their use. Perhaps no profession is open and possesses so much fraud and misrepresentation as that of medicine. For such defamations of a trade that is almost sacred, Dr. Rogers is a merciless antagonist, and he employs every resource at his command to thwart the operation of deceit. For the medical "quack" he is a stumbling block, and for the so-called "specialists" he is an avowed enemy. Dr. Rogers was the first doctor in Randolph county to administer the diphtheria antitoxin, which is now universally used by the doctors of the country.

On February 15, 1879, Dr. Rogers was married to Mary E. Carter, a daughter of William B. Carter, a merchant of Farmland, this county, but now deceased. Dr. Rogers suffered the misfortune of losing his wife by death in 1889, leaving one daughter, Sylvia May, who was born November 22, 1882, who now lives with her father.

In religious matters. Dr. Rogers attends the Friends church. His mother-in-law was a preacher in this denomination. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Politically, he is a Republican, and takes a great interest in the affairs of the party. At one time Dr. Rogers served well as a member of the county board of charity.

David Huber

In the communities where David Huber has spent his life he has maintained a very high place in the confidence and esteem of his neighbors, being regarded as a representative citizen in every relation of life, discharging every duty devolving upon him with commendable fidelity and proving himself worthy the respect with which he is treated by all who know him. He is an excellent example of the progressive modern farmer and his place is one of the best kept and best improved jn the neighborhood of Deerfield.

Mr. Huber was born in Darke county, Ohio, July 20, 1863. He is a son of John H. and Catherine (Coleman) Huber, whose family consisted of three children, namely : Jacob who was a school teacher for twenty years is now farming near Randolph Station, this county, married Annetta Somers and they have two children, Celia and Dolly; Sarah married N. W. Fields, of Deerfield, and'they have two children, John and Weldon; David, of this sketch is the youngest of the trio.

John H. Huber, father of the subject of this review, was born in Nuremberg, Germany, in 1835, and there he spent his early boyhood, emigrating to the United States in 1846, first locating in Dayton, Ohio, then removed to Indiana. He located in Ward township, Randolph county in 1879 and located on a farm where he still resides. He has worked hard and managed well and good has come to him by his efforts in the New World. He has been twice married, first, in 1858, to Catherine Coleman, with whom he lived happily for a period of thirty-eight years. She was born on October 3, 1838, in Darke county, Ohio. Her death occurred on November 2, 1896. In 1900 Mr. Huber married Annetta Beisel, nee Ganger. He is owner of a fine farm of three hundred and sixty-five acres, and is a stockholder and director in the State Bank of Ridgeville, and was vice-president of the same for a number of years. His father^ was a brewer in Germany where he spent his life.

David Huber grew to manhood on the farm and assisted his father with the general work about the place when a boy. He received a good education in the common schools. On November 25, 1893, he married Lou Brown, a daughter of W. S. Brown, a well-known carpenter and builder, who married Evaline Simmons. Mrs. Huber was reared to womanhood in her native community and received a common school education. Her parents formerly lived in Jackson township.

The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Huber: John Weldon, born October 19, 1894, is a successful teacher in Ward township, although but nineteen years of age; William Renney, born January 21, 1896, is studying for a teacher's career; Ara, born January 22, 1898, is also preparing to,be a teacher; Owna, born May 30, 1901 ; Mamie, born April 18, 1905 ; Downa, born April 5, 1907.

Mr. Huber has been very successful as a general farmer and stock raiser and has followed these pursuits since boyhood. He is now owner of a fine and productive farm of one hundred and ninety acres and has a good dwelling and outbuildings. Politically, he is independent, and he attends the Methodist Episcopal church.

Michael Lahey

Diversified farming is essential to profitable production and maintenance of soil fertility, but it is necessary to specialize on something to secure a superior standard of excellence. A well diversified farm will have the customary crops that are grown in the locality, together with the usual farm animals, and some one crop or some one animal should be singled out as a specialty. The farmer may take good care of all his crops and animals and conduct his business at a profit, but he will find an added enjoyment and an increased profit by giving special attention to some one crop or special kind of live stock. Suppose a farmer's specialty is corn. If he does his duty by his pet crop he will raise some of the best, if not the best, corn in the neighborhood. He will not only have greater profits in the ordinary use of the crop, but the demand for his seed corn will enable him to dispose of a large amount of it at better than the average price for seed corn. The necessity of using only the best seed is yearly becoming more appreciated and the man who has the reputation for growing the best corn is the one that seed buyers will hunt out. The reputation is the reward for building up a specialty.

One of the leading farmers of Randolph county is Michael Lahey who has from time to time specialized in various things and has made general farming and stock raising not only profitable but pleasant. He was born September 9, 1857, i'^ New York City, and is a son of Martin and Hennora Lahey, both natives of Ireland where they were reared, educated and married and from which country they emigrated to America shortly before our subject was born. He was small when his -parents died and thus grew up an orphan. He was one of five children, only two of whom are now living, himself and James A. Lahey.

Michael Lahey remained in New York City until he was about eleven years of age, then came west to Greenville, Ohio, later locating in Union City, Indiana, growing to manhood at the home of William Macy, a farmer just south of Union City. He worked on the farm during the crop seasons and received a limited education in the common schools.

Mr. Lahey was married December 25, 1880, to Elnora Wise, who was born in Randolph county, Indiana, November 22, 1861, and is a daughter of Henry and Hannah (Bowen) Wise. The father was born .in Germany, May 5, 1838, and is now living in Spartanburg, Randolph county, where he has long made his home, haying emigrated to this country when a young man. His wife was born in this county, January 2y, 1843, ^^^d she is still living. Mr. Wise has been successfully engaged in farming all his life, but is now living retired. His family consisted of seven children, only four of whom survive, namely: Elnora, wife of Mr. Lahey of this sketch is -the eldest ; John O. is deceased ; Elizabeth A. is living ; Hattie R. and Ulrich are also living; Florence and Rosa are both deceased. Mrs. Lahey grew to womanhood on the home farm and she received a common school education.

To our subject and wife seven children have been born, all except one still living, namely: Leona, born September 21, 1881, married Orlie Coleman and they live in Richmond, Indiana; Charles W., born January 28, 1884, married Grace Paris, and they live east of Winchester, Indiana; Florence E., born December 25, 1886, married Harry Oxley and they are living south of Farmland, this county; Iva Viola, born October 9, 1889, married Alva ^.lurrell, and they are living in White River township, this county; Hannah Elverna, born February 25, 1893, married Elmer Hiatt of Monroe township, Randolph county, she died February 25, 1914; James Henry, born i larch 2, 1896; Harold M., born April 11, 1903, is the youngest.

:\Ir. Lahey has devoted his life to general farming and he has lived on his present fine farm for a period of fourteen years. It consists of one hundred and forty acres, all tillable but about twenty acres. It is fairly well tiled and is under a high state of cultivation. He has made many upto-date improvements, such as remodeling his dwelling, in which he has installed a furnace and other modern appliances. In connection with general agricultural pursuits he-raises a general breed of cows and horses and Duroc hogs.

Politically, ^Ir. Lahey is a Prohibitionist, and religiously is a member of the ]\Iethodist Episcopal church in which he is a trustee. His wife's father, Henry Wise, was a soldier in the Civil war, seeing three years of hard service, having enlisted at Richmond, Indiana, August 19, 1862, in Company F, Sixty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Col. Osterhouse and he proved to be a gallant defender of his adopted country's flag.

John E. Rickert

In these days of large commercial transactions, when credits cut a large factor in the daily round of business, the province of the banker is very wide and very important. The excellence of the banks of the present as compared with those of the past gives to all classes of business men firstclass security for their deposits, assistance when they are in need of ready money to facilitate business matters in various ways, and a means of exchanging credits that could be accomnlished in safety no other way. In a large measure the success at the present time of all branches of business is largely the result of present banking methods. It is quite common for the stockholders of the banks to be business men of prominence in the community - farmers, merchants, manufacturers and professional men - all of whom are known to the depositors and their standing well established. This gives stability to the bank and confidence to the community. Such is the confidence in the State Bank of Ridgeville, Randolph county, of which John E. Rickert is the popular and able cashier, in fact, is the maker of it, and one of the substantial and influential men of the locality of which this history deals.

Mr. Rickert was born in Jackson township, Randolph county, February 19, 1878. He is a son of George and Jane (Stuck) Rickert, whose family consists of three children, our subject, and William A., who lives on the home farm, married Daisy Kemp, a daughter of Rev. B. F. Kemp, and they have four children, Noel, Cecil, Mary and Elizabeth. Mary Rickert married Andrew P. Linn, a farmer and stock raiser, and to them three children have been born, namely : Charles, Carrie and Helen, all married except the last named.

The subject of this sketch is of German descent, and he seems to have inherited the characteristic thrift and industry of his progenitors. His father was a native of Indiana, who devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, became the owner of a valuable farm in Randolph county, and here he spent the rest of his life, dying in 1905 at the age of sixty-five years. The paternal grandparents of our subject were both born in Germany, from which country they emigrated to the United States when young. Grandfather Stuck was an able minister in the German Reformed church. The mother of our subject is living, hale and hearty at the age of sixty-five years.

John E. Rickert grew to manhood on his father's farm where he worked until reaching his majority. He received meanwhile his early education in the common schools, and in the State Normal at Terra Haute, which in after life has been greatly supplemented by actual contact with the business world and by wide and miscellaneous home reading. He began life for himself by teaching school in Jackson township for a period of five years, and one year in the graded schools of Saratoga. Although he gave eminent satisfaction as a teacher and was fast taking his place in the front rank of educators in Randolph county, he resigned his position at Saratoga and entered a business career, accepting a position as assistant cashier of the Ridgeville State Bank, in February, 1902, which position he held until in May, 1906, since which time he has been cashier, discharging his duties in a manner that reflects much credit upon himself and to the entire satisfaction of the stockholders and patrons of the bank. His personal popularity, his able counsel and wise foresight have been the principal factors in the upbuilding of this popular and ever-growing institution, which ranks among the sound and safe banks of this section of the state. He is by nature a financier, and he has kept well abreast of the times in all matters pertaining to the banking business.

Mr. Rickert was married June 16, 1899 to Eva L. Hill, a daughter of William Hill, an artisan of Randolph county, and here she grew to woman-

To our subject and wife two children have been born, namely: Wayne, born October 3, 1900; and Dale, whose birth occurred February 5, 1904. They are both very bright lads and promising; the elder is a pupil of the Ridgeville High School at the early age of thirteen years.

Politically, ]Mr. Rickert is a Democrat. He has been a member of the local school board for the past twdve years during which he has done much to strengthen the Ridgeville school system, in fact, no man has done more for the general upbuilding of this city than he, for he has ever had its interests at heart since locating here. The town owes him a debt of gratitude which it can not repay. He is a member of the building committee for the erection of the new hall of the local lodge of Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is a member. He and his family belong to the Congregational church and are faithful in the work and support of the same.

John Columbus Bunxh

Success in agriculture does not come to the indolent or careless, but to those who plan well and are persistent in the execution of their tasks; neither can large returns be expected in a short time, it takes years to do big things in any line, and one cannot develop a modem farm in a few months. Realizing that it meant hard and consecutive endeavor to become successful as a husbandman, John Columbus Bunch, of Greensfprk township, Randolph county, sought to utilize every moment and every opportunity in his chosen vocation of farming and has therefore succeeded.

Mr. Bunch was born on the farm where he resides at this writing, Januar}^ 17. 1868. He is a son of Richard G. and Mary J. (Bowen) Bunch. The father was bom February 6, 1831, near Whitewater, Wayne county. Indiana, and was a son of Richard and Ann (Pierson) Bunch. Richard Bunch. Sr., was a native of South Carolina, where he spent his boyhood, but in a very early day emigrated overland to Indiana and settled in Wayne county, where he developed a farm from the forest. There his son, Richard G. Bunch, grew up amid pioneer environment and worked hard on the farm when a boy, receiving a meager education the meanwhile in the rural schools, and there he remained until 1854, when he came to Randolph coimty and purchased the forty- acres, where the present Bunch home stands. He subsequently added to his original purchase until he became owner of one hundred and twenty acres in this county, besides land in Ohio. He devoted his entire life to farming and wds successful. His death occurred May 15, 1900. He ran a sorghum molasses mill for about forty years and his products were eagerly sought after owing to their superior quality. He was one of the first to engage in that line of business in this locality. Politically he was a Republican, and religiously belonged to the Methodist church, and was licensed to exhort in the same. He was an active worker in the church. He belonged to the Masonic order. He and Mary J. Bowen were married May 13, 1852. She was born September 15, 1830, and was a daughter of Squire Bowen and wife, a well-known pioneer family of this county, mention of whom is made elsewhere in these pages. Seven children were born to Richard G. Bunch and wife, four of whom are still living, namely: Angeline M. is the wife of W. T. Hart, a farmer of Greensfork township ; Florence A. is the wife of Foster A. Tillson, a farmer of Wayne county, Indiana; Nancy C. is the wife of Thomas Donahue, a farmer of Greensfork township, this county, and John C, of this review. The death of Mrs. Mary J. Bunch occurred August 15, 1905.

John C. Bunch grew to manhood on the home farm where he worked hard when a boy, and he received his education in the common schools, with four terms in the Danville Normal School. He began farming when a young man and this has continued to be his vocation until the present time. He has prospered through close applicatibn and good management until he is now owner of two hundred acres in Randolph county and twelve acres in Ohib. He carries on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale, feeding large numbers of various kinds of stock for the market. He has kept his land well improved and well cultivated and he has a pleasant home and good outbtiildings for his stock, grains and machinery.

Politically, Mr. Bunch is a Republican and he was elected township trustee in 1908 and is still incumbent of this office, the duties of which he is discharging satisfactorily. Religiously hcbelongs to the Methodist church. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past grand, also belongs to the Encampment, of which he is past chief patriarch. He is a member of the National Horse Thief Dfetective Association.

Mr. Bunch was married, first, to Anna Dempsey, November 18, 1892. She was born in Preble county, Ohio, and her death occurred in November, 1895. On January 16, 1904, he Inarried his second wife, Delia J. Kinsey, a daughter of William Kinsey and wife, a highly respected family of this county, a complete sketch of whom appears on another page of this volume. Mrs. Bunch grew to womanhood in Randolph county and received a common school education.

Mr. Bunch is the father of three children, named as follows : Mary A., born Attgust, 1895, died November 3, 1903; John K., born November 17, tgo8; and Bernice C, born June 25, 1910.

Frank L. Shaw

One of the best known poultry dealers in' the section of the Hoosier state of .which this volume treats is Frank L. Shaw, also a successful farmer in Monroe township, a man who would doubtless have succeeded in any line of endeavor, for he is a persistent and careful worker and exercises sound judgment, and at the same time deals honestly with his fellowmen, so that he enjoys their confidence and good will. He is a man of proper ideas regarding citizenship and is helpful in all movements that have for their object the betterment of his township and county in any way.

]\Ir. Shaw was born in Kossuth county, Iowa, July 26, 1858. He is a son of Reuben and Rebecca (Smith) Shaw, and is one of a family of five children, namely: Walter C, a bookkeeper, of Harriman, Tennessee; Silvery married Hamilton Penery, died and left five children; Josephine, . who married Oliver H. Warren, a farmer of Monroe township, has four children; Frank L,, of this sketch.; Fred C, who died at the age of forty-six years, married Ella Friar, who lives on the old home place, and is the mother of six children.

Reuben Shaw, the father, wa? ^orn and brought up in Boston, Massachusetts. He was a builder by trade, and he went to California in the gold fever days of 1849, later returning to Boston and in a short time moved to Ohio where he lived six years, then went to Iowa and lived there five years, after which he brought his family to Indiana and spent his last days here, dying on the old homestead in Randolph county, February 21, 1903, at the age of seventy-seven years. His wife was born at Cape Cod, Massachusetts, August 27, 1824, married Mr. Shaw in Boston and followed his fortunes through Ohio, Iowa and Indiana, proving to be a most faithful helpmeet. Her death occurred January 24, 1904, on the home place in this township. She was one of a family of five children, two girls and three boys.

Frank L. Shaw grew up on the farm and worked with his father with the crops. He received a good common school education. He began farming for himself early in life and has continued this vocation to the present time with more than ordinary success, and now runs a valuable and well-kept place in Monroe township. He has devoted a great deal of attention to the poultry business, every phase of which he seems to have mastered when a young man, for his extensive buying and shipping of poultry for a period of thirty-three years has been uniformly successful and he has accumulated a comfortable competency in this manner, his operations covering a wide territory and he has a wide reputation as a well posted, active and uniformly honest and considerate dealer in this line.

Mr. Shaw was married September 20, 1880 to Emma V. Macy, daughter of William P. Macy, a farmer in Monroe township, whose family consisted of nine children, and here she grew up and was educated.

To our subject and wife four children have been born, namely : Delia, the eldest daughter, married Albert Courtner, a farmer in Monroe township, and they have ten children having lost two ; Mabel married Charles Daugherty, a farmer and merchant of Farmland, and they have four children, two sons and two daughters ; William, who is operating his father's fine farm in Monroe township, married Olive Watson, and they have two children, Thelma, born February 21, 1909; and Marion, born June 22, 1910; Ada died at the age of five years.

James A. Lamb

Nothing is more important to a nation than to have its people well fed, and especially is this true of a nation like ours, which must depend on the wisdom, patriotism and good judgment of its people for the administration of its government and its perpetuity. We of the cities should be most intensely interested in the best methods of production, because these things determine the volume of food which we will have to eat, and eating ever remains the primal necessity of man, with the field as the great source of supply. The brown stone palaces, the sky-scrapers, the great white thoroughfares of our cities cannot feed the mass of humanity struggling within their confines. These must look back to the land for sustenance. Those who eat should be more deeply concerned about better methods of farming than those who produce crops merely for the money that comes from their sale. One of the citizens of West River township, Randolph county, who seems to clearly understand the relation of farming with other industries is James A. Lamb, who was born in Washington township, this county, July 25, 1853. He is a son of William A. and Jane E. (Harris) Lamb, and he was one of seven children^ six sons and one daughter, all now deceased but James A., of this sketch, who was the youngest; the other children were named William P., Benjamin C, Henry C, Anna E., Jerry E. and Levi O. The father was a native of Virginia, from which state he removed with his family to Indiana and settled in West River township, later removing to Washington township, Randolph county. He devoted his life to farming, and his death occurred April 28, 1868, at the age of sixty-five years. The mother of our subject was born in Campbell county, Virginia, and her death occurred November 22, 1901, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years, on the old homestead in Washington township.

James A. Larhb grew to manhood on the home farm and he received a corhmon school education. He has been twice married, first to Josephine White, March i, 1891. Her death occurred October 13, 1893, leaving a son, Fred, who is now living in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and is connected with the Bowser Oil Company. Our subject's second marriage was to Sarah Cox, a daughter of Joseph Cox, whose family consisted of thirteeri children, ten of whom survive. One child has been born to this secoiid union. Ream Elizabeth, born April 26, 1897. The date of the son's birth, metitioned above, was December 30, 1892. He was graduated from the Winchester high school.

Mr. Lamb has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, and he is now owner of a valuable farm of one hundred acres on which stands a fine residence and large outbuildings. He manages well and has a very gratifying inconife frohi year to year. Politically, he is a Progressive, and religiously, is a member of the Methodist church.

That life is the most useful and desirable that results in the greatest good to the greatest number, and, whatever may be the aspirations of men, yet in some measure each can win success and make life a blessing to his fellow men. It is not necessary for one to occupy eminent secular positions to do so, fot- in the field of righteous activity there is great gbod to be accomplished and many opportunities for the exercise of talents and influence, that will touch the lives of those with whom we come in contact, making thiem better and brighter. In the list of Randolph county's useful, successful and honored citizeris, Rev. Augustus Cleland Wilmore, of Winchester, has long occupied a prominent jilace, in whose irecord there is naught that is not commendable, and his career forcibly illustrates what a life of energy can accom- plish when plans are wisely laid and actions are governed by right principles, noble aims, and high ideals; for his actions have ever been the result of careful and conscientious thought, and when once convinced that he is right, no suggestion of policy or personal profit can swerve hiin from the course he has decided upon. Thus doing his full duty in all the relations of life, his worthy career is rounding out in beautiful simplicity. It is always a delight of the biographer to revert to the life of such a man, one who, has spent his active years in the service of his fellow men, who, unselfishly, has sought to minister to those in need of spiritual and mental guidance or physical succor, who, unmindful of the praise or blame of his fellow men, goes forward from day to day in the performance of his humble duty, content to know that he is honestly following the dictates of his own conscience and meekly walking in the footsteps of the lowly Nazarene, finding joy enough in doing the Master's will. Such a man is the noted divine and educator whose name graces the caption of this review, who for a number of decades has performed a grand work among the people whom he has elected to serve, training plastic minds of the oncoming generation, engendering in them a desire to walk only in the light of the highest spiritual ideals, burying the friends Avho pass over the mystic river, marrying the young, beginning life's more serious paths, and in many ways assisting in ameliorating the condition of humanity. His character from his youth up, according to those who know him best, has been unblemished by even the shadow of wrong, so that this section of the state regards him as one of its most valued citizens.

Augustus Cleland VVilmore was born in Jackson, Jackson county, Ohio, June 2, 1849. He is a scion of sterling old English stock on his paternal side and of Scotch-Irish on his maternal side. The earliest ancestor of record was our subject's great-great-grandfather, Daniel Wilmore, who emigrated from England to America in 1725, and located in Virginia, where he entered from the government four hundred acres of land, in Goochland county, on September 2'j, 1729. At that time he was a resident of New Kent county, Virginia. His son, John Wilmore, our subject's great-grandfather, according to the records in the War Department at Washington, served in the Revolutionary war as a private in Captain Van Swearingen's Company, Colonel Daniel Morgan's Rifle Regiment, which was organized about June, 1777. His name appears on the pay-rolls of the company from July, 1777, to March, 1778, inclusive. He was one of the five hundred sharp-shooters of Morgan's regiment, that took part in the battle of Saratoga on October 7, 1777, and was present at (84)

Burgoyne's surrender. On the maternal side our subject is also descended from a Revolutionary hero, his great-great-grandfather, William Jones, having taken part in the war for Independence as a private soldier in Williams' Regiment, Maryland Troops.

John Wilmore, mentioned above, married Mary Clayton, also a native of Virginia. Their son, William Wilmore, our subject's grandfather, was born in King and Queen county, that state, in 1774, and in 1795 he moved to Amherst county, Virginia. In 1823 he came to .Gallia county, Ohio, later located in Jackson county, that state, where he spent the rest of his life engaged in farming, dying in 1856. In June 1798, he married Nancy Harrison and to them three children were born, named as follows : John Harrison, Willis Clayton, and James. His wife dying in 1803 he married in September, 1805, Susanna Gresham, and to this union the following children were born : Hezekiah, Mary Anne, Rosaline, Elizabeth, Thomas, Rebecca, William Rodney, Robert, Nancy, Levi (father of our subject), and Stephen Noah. His last wife died in Jackson county, Ohio, in 1862, at the age of eighty-one years.

Levi Wilmore was born in Gallia county, Ohio, July 13, 1824. In infancy he removed with his parents to Jackson county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood and was educated in the old-time schools. He devoted his life to school teaching and agricultural pursuits. In September, 1849, he moved to Jay county, Indiana, and in August, i860, went on to Huntington county, this state, where he passed the remainder of his days, dying September 13, 1877. He was a courageous, honest, hospitable and industrious man, who ^yon the highest respect of all who knew him. He was married April 6, 1848, to Nancy J. Golden, daughter of James Golden and Anne Adair Golden, the latter being the daughter of James Cleland Adair and Belinda Jones Adair, and the granddaughter of Sir William Adair and Lady Esther Smilie Adair, and great-granddaughter of Sir James Adair and Lady Anne Qeland Adair, the last named being the daughter of Lord Cleland, a Scotch nobleman. Sir \A'illiam Adair and family emigrated from Ireland to America in 1798. Nancy Golden Wilmore was a native of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, the date of her birth being December 15, 1830. To these parents the following children were born: Augustus Cleland, of this review; Mary Anne, born May 2, 1851, is deceased; John Elmer, born June 25, 1853, hves in Eaton county, Michigan; Lavina Elizabeth, born March 7, 1856; Sarah Susanna, born September 5, 1858; Oscar Shepherd, born January 4, 1861 ; Emma Amanda, born September 25, 1863, are all four deceased; Florence Ellen, born September 16, 1866, lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana; Lawrence

Eugene, born April 22, 1869, is deceased, and Frank Edson, born December 10, 1871, lives in Fort Wayne. The mother of the above named children, a woman of beautiful Christian character, passed to her eternal rest on February 4, 1890. She was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church. The father, Levi Wilmore, was a worthy member of the Baptist church, and politically he was a life-long Democrat.

Doctor Wilmore, of this sketch, was an infant when his parents brought him to Jay county, Indiana, from Ohio. At the age of eleven years he moved with his parents to Huntington county, Indiana. He attended the common schools until he was sixteen years of age, then entered the academy at Warren, Indiana, where he spent two years. He was an ardent student and made rapid progress, and when eighteen years of age he began teaching school in Huntington county, teaching five months each year and taking a college course the balance of the year, continuing thus for three years, during which time he attended DePauw Uni\ersity, Liber and Ridgeville Colleges, making excellent records in all these, and lacking but one year of graduation. He continued teaching until 1877, a total of ten years, eight of which were spent in Huntington county, the other tv/o in Wabash county. He taught both common and high school studies. He gave eminent satisfaction as a teacher, being a man of progressive ideas and painstaking in his work.

Turning his attention to the ministry he took a four-years' theological course in the White River Conference Institute, where he was regarded as a brilliant pupil by the faculty and student body. He became a teacher in that institution, which position he has continued to hold for a period of thirty-one years, filling the chair of Systematic Theology during the past twenty-five years. His long retention in this important position is sufficient evidence that he has ably and conscientiously discharged his duties, in fact, he has won a wide' reputation as one of the leading instructors in theology in the state. He has kept fully abreast of the times, having remained a student all his life. In his youth he accepted labor as the motive duty and destiny of man and never has been known timidly to shrink from its mandate or injunction. Labor to him has always been a joy and pleasure, and his purpose to excel in the noble field of endeavor to which his talents have been so largely devoted soon became the predominant incentive of his life. That he has risen to a high and honored position among the educators of his day has been due to his determination to succeed, and in the broadest and best sense of the term he is the architect of his own fortune and eminently worthy to wear the proud American title of "A self-made man." Having descended from English Puritians on the paternal side, and from Scotch-Irish Puri- tans on the maternal side, his heredity and early training was of a high order leading to excellent habits and exalted ideals. Following the historic example of the Wilmore ancestors back to the great-grandfather, he never used liquor, tobacco, nor vile language.

Doctor Wilmore was converted at the age of eleven years arid united with the church two years later. He entered White River Conference, Church of the United Brethren in Christ, August 17, 1877, and was ordained August 22, 1880. His work as pastor began in 1877 at Montpelier, Indiana, where he remained three years, and something of his success in that charge will be gained from the fact that during that time he built two churches and received three hundred and forty-three members into the church. He also did a great work in building up the churches in his other charges. His subsequent appointments are as follows : In 1880, Wabash charge, where he organized Wabash church, serving one year as pastor. In 1881, First church at Indianapolis, two years, where he' increased the membership three-fold and erected a church; 1883, Blue River circuit; 1884, Hartsville, two years, preaching in the chapel at Hartsville College; in 1886, he was elected presiding elder and appointed to the Indianapolis district, serving two years. In 1888, he was appointed presiding elder of the Marion district which he served two years. In 1890 he was appointed to the First church in Anderson, and there he organized the church and erected a new church edifice; he was appointed presiding elder of the Marion district in 1892, serving two years; in 1894 he was appointed to the Noblesville charge, where he erected a church building; in 1896 he was appointed to the charge at Montpelier which he served three years and erected one church; in 1899 he was elected presiding elder and appointed to the Indianapolis district, serving three years. In 1902 he again entered the pastorate and served the following charges: Markleville, two years; 1904, New Castle; 1905, St. -Paul, where ,he erected a church; J906, Cowan, where he completed the erection of a church; 1907, Hagerstown; 1908, Saratoga, two years, where he built an extension to the church; 19 10, Collett, two years; 19 12, Selma, two years. Thus he has served a total period of thirty-seven years as an active itinerant minister and now enjoys the distinction of being the oldest active itinerant in the White River Conference. During his pastorate he has preached five thousand and two hundred sermons and received into the church a grand total of fourteen hundred members and superintended the erection of eight churches. His annual reports to Conference all show an increase in membership and full collections of assessments. He was also a delegate to five quadrennial General Conferences, which convened in session the years of 1889, 1893, 1897, I9f>i. and 1905, in all of which "he took a prominent part and made his influence felt for the general good. He is a trustee of the Indiana Central University of Indianapolis. He is the Registrar of White River Conference and is serving his twenty-eighth year on the Conference Finance Committee. He served eight years as Conference Secretary and also served four years as trustee of the United Brethren Publishing House at Dayton, Ohio. In 1900, he received the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity from Harriman University, in Tennessee.

As a pulpit orator, Doctor Wilmore has few peers in the state, being a forcible, earnest, instructive, and at times a truly eloquent speaker, never failing to command the attention of his audience and, being a profound scholar and deeply versed in the Bible his arguments always carry the weight of conviction to his hearers.