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

Sylvander G. Clark grew to manhood on the home farm and he received his education in the common schools. He worked on the farm until he was of age then began life for himself. In 1894 he went into the lumber business in Spartanburg, also maintained a saw mill there, and built up a large and lucrative business which he continued'until 191 1 when he. went into the grocery and lunch business. He was also the local undertaker for a period of nine years previous to 1912. He has always been a man of industry and good judgment and has made a success of whatever he has turned his attention to.

Politically, Mr. Clark is a Democrat, and religiously he belongs to the Christian church. He is at this writing janitor at Spartanburg high school. He is prominent in fraternal circles, being a member of the Masonic order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in which he is Past Grand and also belongs to the Encampment in which he is also an officer. He has been a delegate to the Grand Lodge and the Encampment.

Mr. Clark was married in April, 1878, to Mary E. Harrison, a native of Darke county, Ohio, and to this union five children have been born, named as follows: Ernest is in the undertaking business at Winchester; Everett lives in Winchester also ; Lester ; Russell ; Byron ; and Florence, all of Spartanburg.

Oliver Perry Botkin

All will agree that the country has many advantages over the city. Likewise, it has its disadvantages, one of the greatest being the lack of opportunity to gain a competency within a reasonable period of time. Many farmers have grown rich through increased valuation of their land, others through carefully husbanding their resources, rigid and economical living and good business ability, ofttimes combined with favorable seasons for their principal product. But the farmers throughout the land should be receiving more of the extra high prices which the city people are paying for their produce than they are, because the tillers of the soil are entitled to it. And it costs too much for the farmer to market his stuff, the middleman's profits are excessive and there is not at present sufficient security for the farmer to enable him to secure just and honest returns from all commission dealers, few of whom are honest. But the signs of the times are pointing to a day when the government will devote its talented experts to the task of enabling the farmer to market his stuff at a reasonable price, and this will ultimately be of advantage to all the people. One of the successful farmers of Randolph county who has the sagacity to manage his land and live stock so that he not only makes a comfortable living from year to year but is laying by sufficient for his old age and family is Oliver Perry Botkin, of West River township.

Mr. Botkin was born in the above-named township and county August 15, 1859. He is a son of William and Martha (Hiatt) Botkin, the father having also been born on the old homestead in West River township in 1823, being truly a pioneer child, for his parents were among the first settlers in this vicinity. They entered this farm from the government, which they cleared and developed and which has never been out of the possession of the Botkin family. Hugh Botkin, the grandfather, was a native of Tennessee, and he died in Randolph county in 1833. He had twelve children besides our subject's father. The mother of the subject of this sketch died in October, 1864, when he was five years old. William Botkin subsequently married Docia C. Butler. Six children were born to his first union, namely : Emma, who married R. Clark, a farmer and merchant of Economy, died when she was twenty-eight years old ; Mary V. married Thomas Harris, and they have four children, two sons and two daughters; Lewis .A., who is farming near Parker City, this county, married Cora Meeks, and they have three sons ; Oliver Perry, of this review : Elmer E., a lawyer of Muncie, Indiana, married Leota Davis, and they have one daughter; Ira M., a farmer near Carlos, married Minnie Miller, and they have two sons and two daughters. Three children were born to the second union of William Botkin, namely : William, Jr., the eldest; Hattie, who died when twenty-five years old; and Mrs. Thirza R. Coffin.

Oliver P. Botkin grew to manhood on the homestead, where he made himself useful during the crop seasons, and in the winter months he attended the neighboring schools. He took up farming for himself when a young man and this has continued to be his vocation. He owns a valuable and well-kept place of one hundred and twenty acres, on which he has lived for the past thirty years, and here he keeps a good grade of live stock from year to year, and is very comfortably fixed in every respect.

Mr. Botkin was married September 21, 1883, to Celia E. Christopher, a daughter of Addison G. Christopher, whose family is mentioned on another page of this work. Mrs. Botkin grew to womanhood in West River township and here received a common school education.

To our subject ond wife six children have been born, namely : Blanche, who married Thomas Gaddis, a minister, and they have four children ; Edith, who married Walter A. Pursley, a farmer of West River township, and they have one child, Virginia, born May 4, 1910; Gilbert, a veterinary physician of Mooreland, Indiana, is a graduate of the Indianapolis Veterinary College, married Edna McGonegal, and they have two sons, Dragoo, born May 24, 1910, and Kermit, born June 4, 1911; Olive, born December 12, 1890, was graduated from Winchester high school in 1910, and later attended Earlham College, of Richmond, Indiana; Nellie, born March 9, 1897; Robert, born February 10, 1903.

Frank Fletcher

Another enterprising citizen of Union City, Randolph county who hails from Darke county, Ohio, from which locality so many of our best people came, is Frank Fletcher, widely known real estate man. Mr. Fletcher was born in Darke county, Ohio, March 24, 1865. He is a son of John C. Fletcher, a contractor who retired early in life, and died in 1906. He married Rebecca Campbell, \\'ho is now living at Union City.

Mr. Fletcher did not have the advantages of a high education, but he made the best use possible of what opportunities he did have in that line, and he possesses by nature certain attributes which make up for the lack of book learning. He is now a well-informed man, being a keen observer and a wide reader of general literature. He came to Union City in early life and has built up gradually by persistent endeavor and honest dealings one of the largest and most lucrative real estate businesses in Randolph county. He has owned many properties in Union City which he has improved and beautified, thereby doing much for the better appearance of the city.

Mr. Fletcher was married August 4, 1887 to Anna T. Warren, who was born in Randolph county, Indiana, near Deerfield, in October, 1863. She has proven to be a most faithful helpmeet and is a lady of many commendable characteristics. She is a daughter of Henry T. Warren, a highly respected citizen of Union City.

To Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher one child has been born, namely: Noble J. Fletcher, whose birth occurred July 17, 1892; he is a graduate of the Unions City high school and is a young man of much promise.

public affairs, he is not desirous of becoming" a political leader or an office holder, preferring to devote his attention exclusively to his large business interests. Fraternally he belongs to the Improved Order of Red Men and religiously is a member of the Presbyterian- church. He was a member of the Union City council for two terms.

William Henderson Thornburg

If anyone within the borders of Randolph county is entitled to special mention in a volume of the nature of the one in hand, it is William Henderson Thornburg, one of our venerable native-born citizens, who has here spent the major part, practically all in fact, of his seventy-three years, during which he has seen the country develop in a wonderful way and has done what he could in his immediate vicinity for the general progress of the same. He has led an active and honorable life and is a veteran of the great Civil war, and now that the calm Indian summer of his life is about him he can watch the fading of the yellow leaf with no compunction or regrets, well knowing that he has done the best he could on life's rugged pathway, under existing circumstances.

Mr. Thornburg was born on the farm on which he now lives, near Lynn, Randolph county. May ii, 1840. He is a son of Nathan and Elnora L. (Neal) Thornburg. Nathan Thornburg was born on a farm just north of his son's present place in 18 15 and was thus among the earliest white children born in this county, his parents having been very early settlers here. He was a son of Joseph and Rachael Thornburg. Joseph Thornburg was a native of Ohio, from which state he came to Randolph county, Indiana and entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in what is now Washington township. This he cleared and farmed until his death. Nathan Thornburg was reared on the farm here amid primitive frontier conditions and when a young man he purchased eighty acres, which a Mr. David had entered from the government. This land he farmed until his death in 1872. He first married Hannah Johnson, by which union three children were born, two of whom are now living. The wife and mother passed away after four years of married life. Mr. Thornburg subsequently married Elnora L. Neal, in 1838. She was a native of North Carolina, and her death occurred in February, 1885.

years of age, then began learning the blacksmith's trade. In August, 1861, he proved his patriotism by enlisting in Company F, Thirty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in which he served faithfully in a number of campaigns, skirmishes and battles, including that of Pittsburg Landing. He was discharged for disability in the fall of 1862. He returned home and :on February 2, 1862, re-enlisted in the Forty-first Regiment, Second Indiana Cavalry, and was sent to the South a second time, and was with Sherman on his march to the sea, thence down the "coast to Tallahassee, Florida, then back to Nashville, Tennessee. For meritorious service he was made a corporal. He was honorably discharged July 29, 1865.- After returning home he followed blacksmithing tmtil 1882, being regarded as one of the most skillful workmen in the county. He was elected sherifJ of Randolph county in 1882 and served one term in a most satisfactory manner, and although he was urged to accept a second, declined to do so. He then bought the home farm where he has since lived, successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising. He has kept the place well improved and well cultivated.

Politically, ]\Ir. Thornburg is Progressive. He is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men and the Masonic order. Religiously he belongs to the Society of Friends.

Mr. Thornburg was married in February, 1864 to Emily A. Chamness, who was born in Xorth Carolina, February 25, 1845. To this union eleven children were born, seven of whom are still living, namely: Malinda J., who married \V. J. Roberts, lives in Oregon; Elizabeth E. is the wife of J. Clendenning, of Jay county, Indiana; James N. lives in White River township; J. F lives in Arkansas; Raymond A. is a teacher in the state of Washington; Emory H. is a veterinary physician of Lynn, this county; and Reba is the wife of O. Clark and they are living in Oregon.

Emory H. Thornburg was born August 3, 1888 in Washington township, this county, and here he grew to manhood and received his education in the common schools and spent one year in the Valparaiso Normal, taking the teachers' course. He taught school two years in Jay county, then entered the Indiana Veterinary College at Indianapolis, from which he was graduated, in 1912, having made a splendid record there. He practiced with Dr. Clevenger at Winchester a short time, then opened an office at Lynn where he has remained and is building up a large and lucrative practice. He has had splendid success in all his work. Politically, he is a Republican. He is a member of the ^Masonic order, the Friends church and belongs to the Indiana Veterinary College Association.

Charles T. Bolinger

The late Charles T. Bolinger, for many years one of the substantial and well-known agriculturists and merchants of Franklin township, Randolph county, was a man respected and honored, not alone because of the vigorous training of his special talents, but also because of his daily life, each day having been one that was above criticism and passed upon in the light of real, true manhood. Strong and forceful in his relations with his fellow-men, he not only made his presence felt, but also gained the good will of both his associates and the general public, ever retaining his reputation among men for integrity and high character, no matter how trying the circumstances, and never losing that dignity which is the birthright of the model gentleman. Consequently, his influence for good in the general upbuilding of his locality was most pronounced and still continues, although the material man has been engulfed in the "inevitable hour," which awaits all that is mortal, and he will long be sadly missed from the various circles in which he moved, ^and over which his infl'uence was like sunshine on a field of ripened wheat.

Mr. Bolinger was born in Randolph county, March 30, 1865. He is a son of Moses E. and Mariah L. (Miller) Bolinger, and was one of a family of five children, two sons and three daughters, namely : Rosa married Emerson Addington, a farmer of this county, which union has been without issue; Waldo, a farmer near Ridgeville, married Rose Smith and they have six children; Charles T., of this memoir, was next in order; Minnie married S. Smithson, a farmer near Ridgeville, and they have two sons and two daughters ; Pearl married Asa Addington, also a farmer near Ridgeville, and they have a son, Harry, and a daughter, Catherine.

Moses E. Bolinger, father of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania, where he spent his boyhood and was educated, coming to Indiana when a young man, he located near Farmland on a farm, and here he met arid married Mariah L. Miller, who was born in that vicinity and there reared and educated.

Charles T. Bolinger grew to manhood on the home farm near Farmland village where he was born and he assisted his father with the general work during crop seasons when he became of proper age, and during the winter he attended the public schools of his neighborhood, receiving a practical education which was added to in later life by contact with the business world and by home reading.

graduated from the local public schools and is now operating the home farm in Franklin township in a decidedly successful manner, and is a young man of much promise. He married Inez Wise, a daughter of Riley Wise, a farmer of the vicinity of Ridgeville, their wedding taking place in 1910. They have a son, AVayne LeRoy, born March 30, 191 2.

Charles T. Bolinger began farming when a young man and this continued to be his chief life work and he prospered with advancing years through good management and close application and he "became owner of a productive and valuable farm on which his widow and son still reside. It has been placed under an excellent state of cultivation and improvement^ He also engaged in the general merchandise business in this vicinity for a period of thirteen years, conducting his farm in the meantime. He enjoyed a large trade with the surrounding country, treating his many customers with uniform fairness and courtesy. Politically, he was a Republican and was influential in local politics. He served as assessor of his township for four years in an eminently successful manner. He was a man of fine moral character, and he was faithful in his attendance of the Quaker church.

The death of Air. Bolinger occurred after a brief illness on October 4, 19 12 at the early age of forty-seven years, when in the prime of life.

Fermen C. Focht

Examples that impress force of character on all who study them are worthy of record in the annals of history wherever they are found. 'By a few general observations the biographer hopes to convey in the following paragraphs, succinctly and yet without fulsome enconium, some idea of the high standing of Fermen C. Focht, of Winchester, as an attorney-at-law and public benefactor, one of the representatix'e citizens of Randolph county. Those who know him best will readily acquiesce in the statement that many elements of a solid and practical nature are united in his composition, and which during a series of years have brought him into prominent notice in the northern section of Indiana, his achievements earning for him a conspicuous place among his compeers.

Mr. Focht was born May 30, 1867, in Gi'atis, Preble county, Ohio. He is a son of Alfred C. and La\-ina (Zimmerman) Focht. The father was reared on the farm, and in his youth learned the backsmith's trade. When only seventeen years old he enlisted for service in the Union army during the Civil war. His health was impaired by the exposure and after returning home he

Fermen C. Focht was reared on the home farm in Preble county, Ohio, and there worked hard when a "boy during the summer months, attending the district schools during the winter. He was only six years old when his father died, so when he became old enough he found it necessary to do all he could toward the support of the family. When sixteen years old he determined to obtain more schooling than that acquired during the few winter months he had been a student up to that time, so he started out for himself, without assistance from any one. He worked at a livery stable and attended the public schools of Gratis. The following summer, 1884, he worked for a farmer near Germantown, Montgomery county, Ohio, helping to raise a crop of tobacco. On September 13th of the same year he came to Randolph county, Indiana, and found a home with John W. Jarnegin, who lived a mile south of Winchester. In the fall of that year he entered the high school in Winchester and assisted in the farm work. He remained with Mr. Jarnegin four years, working on the farm and attending high school, completing the high school course. He then attended the Holbrook Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, two terms, making an excellent record. Thus well equipped for the more serious duties of life, he began teaching in the fall of 1888 in the district; schools of White River township, Randolph county, continuing there for four years and was giving every satisfaction, but believing that his true bent was in the direction of a legal career, he began the study of law in the spring of 1891 in the office of Hon. A. O. Marsh and Joseph M. Thompson; however, he continued teaching until the spring of 1892, pursuing his law studies at the same.tiine. During the years 1893 and 1894, in addition to assisting Mr, Thompson in completing, revising and proof-reading his pubication, The Indiana Citations, he carried on his other work. The above publication is recognized as a standard authority in Indiana.

Mr. Focht was admitted to practice his profession prior to this, however. Fie remained in the office of Marsh & Thompson, and continued to practice with the latter until Mr. Marsh's retirement. In 1898 our subject formed a partnership with Mr. Thompson, which lasted until the fall of 1901, when the latter removed to Indianapolis, after which Mr. Focht continued to practice alone until December 3, 1906, when he formed a partnership with Thomas W. Hutchens, which still continues, this firm ranking among the strongest in Randolph county, and is one of the busiest. Mr. Focht has been admitted to practice in all the .state and federal courts. He is a member of the Randolph County Bar Association, and is recognized by all as one of the most painstaking, earnest and capable lawyers in the county, and one of the best pleaders before a jury. He has built up a large and lucrative practice.

Mr. Focht has long been active and influential in the affairs of the Republican party, and at this writing is secretary of the Republican Central Committee of Randolph county. He was elected mayor of the city of Winchester, serving one term with satisfaction to all concerned, doing much for the general good of the city. He is a member of the Fountain Park Cemetery Board of Trustees. Fraternally, he belong* to the Knights of Pythias, and was the chancellor commander when the Winchester lodge first occupied its magnificent new home, and he has passed all the chairs in the local lodge, and he has served on the state board of by-laws for the order. He is a member of the Masonic order, and is treasurer for the Winchester lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, also belongs to the Chapter, Council and Eastern Star. He is a member of the William T. Sherman Camp, Sons of Veterans, No. 44.

Mr. Focht was married December 2, 1896, to Mary A. Hiatt, a daughter of Riley A. and Mary A. (Clark) Hiatt. She was born, reared and educated in Winchester, where Mr. Hiatt was a successful merchant for many years and one of the substantial and leading citizens of Randolph county. Both he and his wife were deceased at the time their daughter married Mr. Focht. She was bookkeeper at the Farmers and Merchants Bank, a position she had held for a period of seven years.

Two children have been born to our subject and wife, namely : Wilbur H., whose birth occurred December 4, 1897, is attending high school; and Frank A., born October 2, 1899, is also a student in high school. The parents and children are members of the Presbyterian church, our subject being superintendent of the Sunday school and has long been active in church and Sunday school work.

James C. Jarrett

James C. Jarrett, well-known liveryman of Lynn, was born in Wavne county, Indiana, June 24, 1874. He is a son of Jonathan and Lydia (Fender) Jarrett. The father was a native of Virginia, born in January, 1826. He was a small boy when his parents brought him to Wayne county, Indiana and there he grew to manhood amid pioneer conditions. He devoted his life to trading in livestock and was very successful, being an exceptionally good judge of stock. His death occurred in February, 1911, at an advanced age. He was a Prohibitionist, a Methodist and a !\Iason, also belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and Lydia Fender were married about 1851. She was a native of Illinois, born in 1834. She is still living, now nearing her four-score years. She makes her home in Paris, Ohio.

James C. Jarrett received a good common school education, and in his earlier career, he farmed and raised livestock in Butler and Preble counties, Ohio, thereby getting a good start in life. Turning his attention to the livery business he engaged in that at Columbus, Ohio, with much success for two years, then carried on the same at Eldorado, that state three years. Then in September, 1912, he came to Lynn, Indiana and resumed the livery business and has built up a large and rapidly increasing patronage and at the same time won a wide circle of friends who repose every confidence in him as a man and citizen.

Mr. Jarrett was married June 10, 1899 to Susan E. Rupe. She was born in Wayne county, Indiana, July 22, 1877, and there she grew to womanhood and was educated in the common schools.

To our subject and wife three children were born, namely : Ellen, born June 28, 1904; Clifford C, born June 30, 1907; and Esther, born July 20, 1913.

Leavell & Holsafple

The livery firm of Leavell & Holsapple, of Winchester, has never had a superior in this line of business in Randolph county and it well deserves the large patronage and pronounced success which it can claim for its proprietors, Thomas C. Leavell and Samuel J. Holsapple, are not only enterprising and progressive, but are men of splendid moral and commendable civic principles, desiring at all times to do their full share in furthering movements calculated to be of general good to the city and county of their residence.

Mr. Leavell was born July i, 1859, in Randolph county. He is a son of James and Matilda (Jones) Leavell. The father was born in Henry county, Indiana, in 181 1, and he died in 1863 in this county, whither he came after his marriage, spending the rest of his life here. The mother of our subject was born in Taylor coimty. West Virginia, in 1836, and her death occurred in 1910. James Leavell was twice married, our subject being by his second wife. To this union five children were born, namely: Samuel and. Sarah R. are both deceased; Thomas L., subject of this sketch; Lewis H. is deceased, and Susan M., who is the youngest of the family.

Thomas L. Leavell received a common school education, and on November I, 1 88 1, he married Emma F. Read, who was born August 14, i860, in Randolph count}-. She is a daughter of Cyrus O. and Sarah (Lawrence) Read, both natives of Greene county, Ohio. 2\[ts. Leavell received a common and high school education. To our subject and wife five children have beenbom, namely: Jessie R., born June 17, 1884; D. Kemp, born August 28, 1889: Came A., born November i, 1891 ; Elenore E., born February 22, 1900, and James C, born August 4, 1901. '

Mr. Leavell has devoted most of his life to agricultural pursuits, at which he made a pronounced sviccess and is now owner of a number of valuable farms, containing one hundred and sixty-seven acres in all. His land is productive and well-improved. However, he makes his home in Winchester, where he is dealing in real estate to some extent. In April, 1912, he formed a paiiinership with ^Ir. Holsapple in the livery business, and they also bu}- and sell livestock on an extensive scale. They have a large and wellequipped livery barn, keeping up-to-date rigs and good horses and prompt and high grade service are their watchwords.

Politicall}' Air. Lea\ell is a Republican and fraternally he belongs to the ]\Iasonic order, the Blue Lodge and the Council; and is also a member of the Knights of Pj-thias. He is a member of the Alethodist Episcopal church.

Samuel J. Holsapple was born in Darke county, Ohio, June 26, 1876. He is a son of Xoah and Susan ( Alunich) Holsapple. The father was born in. Aliami county, Ohio, and died when our subject was small, August 4, 1887. The mother, also a native of Darke county, Ohio, died September 25, 1891. Xoah Holsapple engaged in the saw mill business most of his life. His family consisted ui five children, all still living, namely: Thomas W., \A''illiam H., John ^V., ]\Iary 'M., and Samuel J., of this sketch.

Samuel J. tlolsapple received a common school education in Jav county, Indiana, whither he removed -^\hen about ten years of age, with his parents, and his father died there. Our subject left Jay county about 1897 and lived in various places for a few years, locating in "^^'inchester, Randolph county, in 1901, and engaged first in the livery business, later farmed, and in 1908 resumed the liver\- business, forming a partnership with A. L. Thompson, under the firm name of Thompson & Holsapple. Later our subject bought out his partner and conducted the business alone until about a year ago when he and 'Sir. Leavell formed a partnership and all the while he has met with much success because of his energy, honesty and good judgment. They have

Air. Holsapple married on December 25, 1901, Rosie B. Harruff, who was born in Jay county, Indiana, October 12, 1874. She is a daughter of James P. and Juha Ann (Badder) Harrui'f, both natives of Ohio. Mrs. Holsapple received a common school education. The union of our subject and wife has been without issue.

Albert T. Del,Ong

One of the successful young farmers of Randolph count)' who has spent his life here is Albert T. DeLong. It would seem that he has been wiser than so many of his contemporaries who have in their boyhood left the old home community and gone out into other states to seek their fortunes where conditions and people are alike strange and where so many fortunes assume the marsh-light aspect - alluring to the sight, but hard to grasp in tangible form.

Albert T. DeLong was born in Ward township, Randolph county, March 24, 1877. He is a son of Calvin and Mary E. (Hinkle) DeLong, and is one of a family of ten children.

The father of Mr. DeLong was a native of Indiana, and grew to manhood, was educated and married in his native state, and he and his wife are now living in Saratoga, this county. His parents came from Pennsylvania, and her parents from Virginia, first locating in Ohio, later moving on to Indiana; both the DeLongs and Hinkles were early settlers in this locality.

Albert T. DeLong grew to manhood in Ward township, Randolph county, and when of proper age he began working on his father's farm. He was educated in the common schools of Saratoga, later attended the Central Norm.al School at Danville, Indiana, then studied at the State Normal at Terre Haute. He began life for himself by teaching in Ward township, which he followed for seven years in a manner that stamped him as one of the leading educators of the county and his services were in great demand. But finally tiring of the school room and believing that a business career was more to his liking, he took up merchandising at Deerfield and continued in this field of endeavor for a period of six years, during which he enjoyed a large and lucrative business, then sold his stock of goods and purchased a farm on which he now resides.

Mr. DeLong was married November 4, 1899, to Lulu Hooker, a daughter of Charles Hooker, of Fort Recovery, Ohio. She was one of eight children, an equal number of sons and daughters, two sons being now deceased, Mrs. DeLong being the eldest of the daughters. Mr. Hooker is a successful farmer. Mrs. DeLong received good educational advantages.

To Mr. and Mrs. DeLong one child has been bom, Rebecca Elizabeth, bearing the good old name of her grandmother. She was born February 22, 1911, on the anniversary of the great father of our country.

Mr. and Mrs. DeLong are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Deerfield, and Mr. DeLong has been a trustee in the same for six yeaers. Fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having taken all the degrees in the same, and is a member of the grand lodge. He also belongs to the Modern Woodmen. He wields quite an influence in local public affairs. The Jefllerson school was built under his direction, in the face of some opposition; but it is the finest school building in Randolph county and a credit to the same and should be the pride of all.

It is not everyone who coiild make a success as a commercial traveler, and the reason is obvious. One must possess the peculiar temperament necessary to a life on the road, must be able to adjust himself to any environment immediately, must take the dark days with a smile, must bear the many trials with fortitude, must be a good mixer, a genial, obliging, courteous gentleman, whose earnestness and candor impresses all. One of the best known and successful traveling in northern Indiana is Joseph H. McFarland, who maintains a pleasant home at the town of Farmland, Randolph county, where he has long resided and where he is held in high esteem by all who knew him.

Mr. McFarland was born in Jay City, Indiana, July 16, 1863. He is a son of John and Elizabeth (Langte) McFarland, whose family consisted of eight' children, of whom two sons and three daughters survive. John Mc- Farland was born in 1840 at Darke City, Ohio. When he was young in years he was brought to Indiana by his father, and here he has lived for a period of seventy years during which he has noted and taken part in many great changes that have come to the country which was practically a wilderness when he first arrived. He is of Scotch-Irish descent. His wife was born in this state, in October, 1843. She is of German extraction, and her parents came from Pennsylvania to Indiana in pioneer days.

Joseph H. McFarland grew to manhood in his native locaHty and he received his education in the common schools and the college at Ridgeville. He has had a remarkable career in the mercantile business. When twenty years old. he went to work in a general store in Ridgeville, where he remained about eleven years, then went to Marion, Indiana, and worked in the Boston store for seven years as manager and buyer, then took a position with the W. A. McNaughton Company, of Muncie, with which he remained ten years as manager of the carpet, rug and drapery department. He was then road salesman for the Indiana Steel and Wire Company for two years, then was with the Crescent Paper Company, of Indianapolis, as salesman for a year. Then bought a hardware store which he operated a year and sold out at a profit and returned to the road. Since he first entered the mercantile field he has never been out of employment, his services havirig been in great demand, and, unless to add that they were always most satisfactory in every ixspect.

Mr. McFarland was married Jurie 20, 1894, to Nellie Korp, a daughter of Charles L. Korp, of Harding City, Missouri. Mrs. McFarland was born in Ridgeville, Indiana. When she was quite young her mother died and she was' reared by Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Rice, of Winchester, and here she grew to womanhood and was educated, graduating from the high school, after which she taught most acceptably in the schools of Winchester for four years.

Politically Mr. McFarland is a Democrat, fraternally a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. He has one of the best homes in Farmland, and he and his wife are popular with a wide circle of friends.

Success in what are popularly termed the learned professions is the legitimate result of merit and painstaking endeavor. In commercial life one may come into possession of a lucrative business through inheritance or gift, but professional advancement is gained only by critical study and con^ secutive research long continued. One of the leading physicians and surgeons of a past generation in Monroe township, Randolph county, one indeed, who took his place in the front rank of medical men in this section of the Hoosier state during a period of thirty-six years, and who will be held in grateful remembrance for many decades to come was the late Dr. Calvin Smith. The large success which crowned his life work, coupled with his ripe experience and kind heart enabled him to bring comfort, hope and confidence to the sick room and he also brought sunshine into many a home erstwhile shrouded in gloom. Much of this same sunshine and happiness fled when the people among whom his name had become a household word heard the news of his transition to a higher plane of endeavor.

Dr. Smith was born in Fayette county, Indiana, August 25, 1845. He was a son of Ezra and Phebe (Brown) Smith, natives of New York anri Ohio, respectively. They came to Fayette county, Indiana when young and were married there, and there Ezra Brown engaged in carpentering and farming, but his death occurred in Marion county, this state, in July, 1865 ; his widow survived over thirty years, making her home at Indianapolis. They were both faithful members of the Christian church. They were the parents of eleven children, five sons and six daughters, all now deceased but two daughters.

Calvin Smith spent his early boyhood in Fayette county, being nine years old when he removed with his, parents to Marion county, Indiana, where he received his early education, and then attended the schools of Indianapolis, where he prepared for college. In 1872 he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he attended the Eclectic College of Medicine two terms, from which he received a degree in 1876. He also attended the Eclectic Medical Association, of Indianapolis, from which he was graduated on May 13, 1885. From 1870 until 1876 he was engaged in practice in Indianapolis, and in the latter year came to Farmland, where he spent the rest of his life, a successful practitioner of medicine for a period of thirty-six years. In his earlier career he also practiced for a time in Muncie. He remained a student all his life and had great success as a general practitioner, building up a large and lucrative practice which extended over a wide territory.

Dr. Smith was married on November 30, 1872, in Dayton, O., to Jennie Flood, a native of Montgomeiy county, that state, her birth having occurred November 20, 1847. She was a daughter of John L. Flood and wife, both natives of Ohio, where they grew up and married and lived until 1850, when they removed to Randolph county, Indiana, and engaged in farming until their deaths, the father passing away in 1902 and the mother in 190^. Their family consisted of twelve children. Five children were born to Dr. Smith and wife, all of whom died in infancy. Politically the Doctor Avas a Republican, and he belonged to the Free and Accepted Masons. He was a member of the Christian church. He was summoned to his eternal rest on July 12, 1912, at the age of sixty-seven years.

Samuel C. Friddle

A man who has proven himself to be capable of making a success of more than one line of endeavor is Samuel C. Friddle, one of Windsor's most enterprising citizens and one of Randolph county's worthy native sons. As a farmer, blacksmith and now merchant he has forged ahead until he has become very comfortably fixed and can look forward to an old age free from the material wants that some experience. Mr. Friddle was born in Randolph county, September 19, 1856, and here he grew to manhood and received his education in the common schools of his native community. He is a son of William Friddle, and is one of four children, he being the oldest; the others are Clel, who lived at Farmland, this county, died at the age of forty years, leaving a widow and four children; Maggie, who married Mock Mills, a farmer in Minnesota, died some time ago and left one son; Grant, who is engaged in farming near Ridgeville, Randolph county, married Rosa Greene, and they have one child living. The father of the above named children was one of the early-day farmers of this county and a highly respected citizen.

Mr. Friddle, of this sketch, began life for himself by farming on the old homestead for a few years, after his marriage. When a young man he learned the blacksmith's trade at which he became quite, skillful and this he followed with much success for a period of twenty years, maintaining a sho]') at Windsor and many of his customers came from remote parts of the county. Abandoning his trade ten years ago he has since conducted a general store in Windsor, being associated in business with his son, Ralph Friddle, a young business man of exceptional ability. They have built up a large and growing trade with the surrounding country and carry a splendid stock of well-selected goods, most everything used by a farming community.

born near Farmland, Indiana, and there grew to womanhood and received her education. She is a daughter of William Burres and wife, who have long been engaged in farming here, whose family consisted of eight children.

To Mr. and Mrs. Friddle four daughters and one son have been born, namely: Leona, who maried George E. Swingley, a farmer of Delaware county, Indiana, has three children; Glenwood C, of Windsor, married O. B. Cline ; Maetie, who married Charles Rogers, of Muncie ; Grace, who married Fay Suplee. of Muncie, has one. daughter ; Ralph, married Daisy Oxley, a daughter of William Oxley, of Newcastle, Indiana. Ralph Friddle was educated in the common schools of Windsor and by wide home reading and contact with the business world is noAV a well-informed man and popular with all classes, is a live wire, a competent buyer, showing excellent judgment in what and when he buys, and is recognized as one of the up-to-date business men of the county.

Samuel C. Friddle has been a justice of the peace for a period of fifteen years, discharging the duties of this important office in a manner that has reflected much credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of the people. Religiously he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and fraternally belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Improved Order of Red Men and Knights of the Golden Eagle.

William W. Fowler

One of the well remembered citizens of a past generation in Randolph county was the late William W. Fowler, who for a long lapse of years was one of our leading carpenters and builders, and many substantial and attractive residences, business and public buildings stand throughout this locality as monuments to his skill as a builder. He was one of the honored veterans of the Civil war who did what he could for the perpetuity of the Union, and he remained a loyal supporter of the government to the end. He was one of the few residents of this county who came from the West, for the tide of emigration has always been from the East towards the lands of the setting sun, and very few in comparison, have taken their course in the opposite direction. He was a man whom ever}'body respected because he was of an obliging, kindly and helpful nature, never failing in honesty and fairness when dealing with his fellowmen.

AMlliam \V. Fowler was born in Liberty, Clay county, Missouri, December 5. 1838, but little of his life was spent in the land of the "big muddy water," he having been small when his parents removed from there to the state of Ohio, from which state he e\'entually came to Indiana and spent the remainder of his life. He was a son of John and ]\Iarinda Alice Fowler, and was one of a family of six children, three sons and three daughters. John Fowler, the father, was a contractor and builder and was an excellent workman for his day.

William W. Fowler received a common school education and when a boy he learned the carpenter's trade under his father, becoming quite expert in the same, and he followed this line of endeavor the major part of his active life, or until his health failed, when he took up the fire insurance business and also secured a commission as notary public, engaging in these lines of activity until his death. He was well known in Farmland and vicinity for a period of half a century, and he lived in one house for forty-seven years.

Mr. Fo\\ler enlisted on August 5, 1862, in Company A, Eighty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served very faithfully in numerous campaigns and battles until his discharge, January 5, 1865, having won the admiration of both his comrades and officers for his faithful bravery and patriotism. Politically, he was a Republican, and fraternally, belonged to the Free and Accepted Masons in Farmland. He attended the Christian church. The death of this excellent citizen occurred February 21, 19 11, at the advanced age of seventy-three years.

Benjamin F. Boltz

Benjamin F. Boltz was born in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, September lo, 1848. He is a son of Benjamin and Mariah (Schneckengost) Boltz, an old Pennsylvania family, in which state the parents grew to maturity, were educated in the early-day schools and married and spent their earlier years, removing with their family to Randolph county, Indiana, in 1859, locating at Ridgeville, in the northern part of the county. The father was a shoemaker by profession. Later the family moved to Winchester, where the parents spent the rest of their lives, both being long since deceased.

Benjamin F. Boltz was reared in Ridgeville, and there received a common school education, also attended the Ridgeville College. He began life for himself by teaching school, which he followed for three years, then came to Winchester and clerked in the store of John Richardson for three years. Then, in 1875, he became a clerk in the county auditor's office, serving seven years as deputy, then became county auditor by popular election and served four years. During his long service in this office he gave entire satisfaction to all concerned, proving to be a most faithful and conscientious public official.

After leaving the county auditor's office, Mr. Boltz engagedin the insurance business for some years, and in 1888 he began the manufacture of washing machines, in which he was immediately successful and subsequently he engaged in the manufacture of stock-staves, barrel headings and other wood novelties, and has been conducting to the present time a general saw mill and wood furniture manufacturing business, which has grown to large proportions and is constantly increasing. Prompt and high-grade service has ever been his watchword, as well as scrupulous honesty in all his dealings with the business world.

Mr. Boltz was married November 19, 1872, to Martha J. Spera, a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Shook) Spera, an excellent family of Randolph county, whither they came from Portage county, Ohio, in i860. Both parents are now deceased. To our subject and wife the following children have been born, namely: Myrtie, who married W. G. Johnson, of Youngstown, Ohio; Laura, who married F. W. Howard, of Winchester; Ralph W., of Winchester, and Mary, now the wife of Arthur Purdy. These children were all given excellent educational advantages, and are all well situated in life, highly respected by wide circles of friends and acquaintances, as are their parents.

Mr. Boltz is a Republican politically, and has long been more or kss active in public affairs. He was at one time chairman of the Republican County Central Committee. Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of Pythias. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a trustee and is active in church and Sunday school work.

William J. Hook

William J. Hook was born in Montreal, Canada, August 15, 1845, and therefore now getting along in years, but it hale and hearty owing to a life carefully lived. He is a son of James Hook, who was born in Glouchester, England, from which country he emigrated to America when a young man, bringing his wife, who was Martha Constance before her marriage, and their three children. James W. Hook was the first of the family born in the new world. They first located in Troy, New York, but soon thereafter emigrated to Wisconsin, and in 1880 came to Indiana. The father was employed in farming, and his death occurred in 1885. His widow surviving until 1895. Besides his brother Charles Hook, he had two sisters, Mrs. E. M. Higgs, of Columbus, Ohio, and Mrs. W. B. Sylvester, who resides in New Mexico. The maternal grandfather, William Hook, married Constance Lane, who was of Welsh ancestry.

William J. Hook, of this review, was educated in the common schools of Wisconsin, and- he commenced business for himself when only about sixteen years of age and he has spent his life in partnership with his brother, Charles S. Hook.

Mr. Hook went to Morrow county, Ohio, in 1868 and began the manufacture of wooden ware with his brother, Charles S. Hook, and in 1877 came to Indiana and located in Union City in the same business, and they built up an extensive trade all over the United States, there being a great demand for their products owing to their superiority in w^orkmanship and quality. Shipments were also made constantly into Canada. This line of business was continued with great success from a financial viewpoint until 1898, when their plant burned, since which time Mr. Hook has not been regularly engaged in business, spending most of his time looking after his large holdings in city real estate. He is one of the stockholders of the Commercial Bank of Union City. He has a large fine residence here and is one of the substantial citizens of the town. Politically he is a Republican. He belongs to the Baptist church, and fraternally is a member of the Knights of Pythias.

William J. Hook was married in 1871 to Mary St. John, who was bom in Morrow county, Ohio, in 1850, and her death occurred in 1892. She was a daughter of Anson St. John, who is deceased.

To William J. Hook and wife the following children were born: Charles S., born August 19, 1874, married Nellie Anderson, who was born in 1875, and they have one child, Helen Hook, born November 28, 1906. Warren S. Hook was born in 1877, was educated in music, is single and lives at home; Florence Hook married Elder Charles S. Pier, a Methodist minister, station now at Charleston, Illinois, and they have one child, Ruth Pier ; Mary H. Hook, born in 1893, was educated in the high school, and is well up in music, especially vocal, having sung many times to an appreciative audience in public, and is now taking private music lessons in Chicago, no means being spared to give her the very best advantages.

Charles S. Hook, Sr., brother of our subject, was also educated in the common schools of Wisconsin and he began life for himself when sixteen years of age, and as stated, has always been associated in business with our subject. He has made a great success and is now vice-president of the Commercial National Bank and a director in the same. He is also vicepresident of the German Package Manufacturing Company of Chicago, the largest manufacturing concern of dairy and creamery supplies in the world. Politically he is a Republican, and fraternally belongs to the Masonic Order. He is a member of the Presbyterian church. Pie married in 1876, Ella Maxwell, who was born in Morrow county, Ohio, September 2, 1853. She is a daughter of Levi Maxwell, a lumberman, who died in 1903, his wife having died in 1865. Mrs. Hook's grandfather, Abner Maxwell, was of Scotch- Irish ancestry. The Maxwells is an old family in Virginia. The mother of Mrs. Hook was Lucinda Page, a native of Montreal, Canada. The grandmother was a Bond.

To Chailes S. Hook, Sr., and wife the following children were born : Mary C, born in Union City, was gradtiated from the high school here, later was graduated from Dean Academy, at Franklin, Massachusetts, also was graduated in music from the conservatory at Oberlin, Ohio, then took a business course in Indianapolis. James M. Hook, the second child, was graduated from the Union City high school, later taking a course at Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana, in the electrical department.

John A. Gates

John A. Gates was born November 15, 1852 at Burlington, Indiana. He is a son of Albro and Lucy (Russell) Gates. The father was married twice before. Our subject was one of five children, he being the eldest; the others were Henry M., a carpenter of Farmland; Emily lives in Anderson; Loring, who is farming in Delaware county; Russell lives on the old homestead at Burlington. Albro Gates, the father, was born in the state of New York and he spent his boyhood in Chautauqua county and received a meager education in the early-day schools. He subsequently removed to Erie county, Pennsylvania, and he and his four brothers eventually came to Indiana. He had but fifty cents when he arrived here, but he was a man of courage and thrift and went to work with a will, first cutting cord wood in order to get a start, and he in due course of time became owner of a valuable farm near Burlington. His father was a captain in the American navy and followed the sea most of his life.

John A. Gates grew to manhood on the home farm where he worked hard when a boy. He received his education in the common schools of his community and early in life began farming for himself. He worked hard and managed well and has prospered, owning now a finely-improved and productive farm of four hundred acres, which he purchased in 1895, and here he carries on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale. His dwelling was burned in 1910, but he soon erected a large attractive home, one of the most desirable in the township, and he also has numerous substantial outbuildings. He is a good judge of livestock and large numbers of well-graded stock are always to be found on his place.

Mr. Gates was married January 14, 1904 to Olive Clevenger and to this union three children were born, namely : Frederick, who is farming in Delaware county, married May Kline, and they have three children, DeVoe, Francis and Marcella : Letta is the wife of Thurman Porter, of Parker City,

E. Reed Abel

E. Reed Abel was born July ii, 1898, in Bryant, Jay county, Indiana. He is a son of Dr. Oscar E. and Ada G. (Miller) Abel, the father born in Jay county and the mother at Portland, this state. The Abels is an old family of Jay county, where George W. Abel, our subject's grandfather settled in 1838. A complete sketch of Dr. Abel is to be found on another page of this volume.

E. Reed Abel received his education in the public schools of Winchester, the high school at Huntsville and in the Normal at Marion, Indiana. Thus well-equipped he began life for himself as a teacher and taught two years in the district schools, then attended Purdue University one term, then taught two years more. He gave eminent satisfaction as a teacher, but pi'eferring the outdoors to the confinement of the school room he began farming on the place where he now resides near Huntsville, and has made a pronounced success as a general farmer and stock raiser, owning a productive and wellimproved farm, where is to be found a good grade of livestock from year to year and an excellent group of buildings.

Mr. Abel was married December 27, 191 1, to Lucille Haines, a native of West River township, this county, where she grew to womanhood and was educated. She is a daughter of Asa Haines and wife, a highly respected family of this community. She is the eldest of four children, her three sisters being Jennie, Ruth and Dorothy.

Charles Alvin Roll

Charles Alvin Roll, liveryman of Lynn, Randolph county, is one of the fortunate type who spent his younger days on the farm. He was born in Darke county, Ohio, November 2, 1876, and is a son of John C. and Matilda (Shields) Roll. The father was born in Wayne county, Indiana in January, 1832. He devoted his active life to farming. His death occurred in April, 1908. His widow who was born in May, 1839, is still living, now nearing her seventy-fifth birthday. She is a product of pioneer days and talks interestingly of the olden times. Like her husband before her she has always enjoyed a wide circle of warm friends throughout the locality where she has lived so long.

Charles A. Roll grew to manhood on the home farm and there he worked hard when a boy, assisting his father with the crops and he received a fair education in the rural public schools. He remained on the home farm until he was twenty-five years old, then turned his attention to the livery business which has continued to be his vocation. He first established himself in this line of endeavor in Greenville, Ohio, where he remained nine years, during which time he got a good start. He then went into the same business in Arcanum, Ohio, where he remained three years with his usual success, then came to Lynn, Indiana, and has been in the livery business here ever since. He has a large patronage being popular with the general traveling public and is well equipped for prompt and high-class service. He has ten good horses and substantial rigs. He also owns a hay-bailer which he operates in season. Mr. Roll is an auctioneer of rare ability and his services are in great demand in this connection. He has given eminent satisfaction at all the sales which he has cried.

Mr. Roll was married January 30, 1900, to Virginia Creighton, who was born in Greenville, Ohio, October 20, 1883, and there grew to womanhood and was educated. To our subject and wife two children have been born, namely: Mason, born January 10, 1902; and Creighton, born October 2, 1905. They are both attending school.

The life of the scholarly or professional man seldom exhibits any of those striking incidents that seize upon public feeling and attract attention to himself. His character is generally made up of the aggregate qualities and qualifications he may possess as these may be elicited by the exercise of the duties of his vocation or the particular profession to which he belongs. But when such a man has so impressed his individuality upon his fellowmen as to gain their confidence and through that confidence and his individual merit rises to an important place in the locality in which he resides, his name is worthy of mention on the pages of history. Dr. Clarence L. Marlatt, of Indianapolis, one of Randolph county's boys, not content to hide his talents amid life's sequestered ways, has by force of his will and a laudable ambition forged to the front in a responsible and exacting calling and earned an honorable reputation in one of the most useful of professions. His life has been one of hard study and research from his youth and since maturity of laborious professional duty, and he is eminently deserving of the success he has achieved.

Doctor Marlatt was born at Winchester January 2, 1875, being the son of William P. and Hannah (Moorman) Marlatt, who are both natives of Indiana. (See sketch on page 11 16 of this work.) Doctor Marlatt had the advantage of the common schools of Winchester and then finished the high school course in a private school in Indianapolis, after which he entered, in 1894, the Central College of Physicians and Surgeons and graduated therefrom in the spring of 1897. April i, 1897, he began the practice of medicine on Massachusetts avenue, near St. Clair street, and a year later located at 760 Massachusetts avenue, where he has been in active practice since. Doctor Marlatt has built up a large business and has won a host of friends.

He has been twice married, first, in September, 1899, to Miss Margaret Dwyer, of Aluncie, Indiana, a graduate nurse of the City Hospital of Indianapolis. Her death occurred in January, 1901, and January 2, 1902, Doctor Marlatt married Miss Katharine C. Rottman, of Greenfield, Indiana, where she grew to womanhood and was educated. Mrs. Marlatt is the youngest of five daughters and two sons born to John H. and Elizabeth (Geiss) Rottman, who are both of German extraction. John H. Rottman was a native of Germany, emigrating to America in early manhood, and was a soldier in the Civil war.

Doctor Marlatt is a Democrat in politics. He served as physician of the county infirmary in 191 1 and 19 12, and since that time has been physician at the county jail. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and, fraternally, belongs to the Masons, Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.