Washington Township (part 6 of 16)

Joseph Louis Hoover

Prominent among the enterprising busi¬ ness men of Hartford City is Joseph Louis Hoover who, though but comparatively a recent comer, has already made his influence felt by giving increased impetus to its com¬ mercial. and industrial interests. Mr. Hoo¬ ver is the son of John and Bernedina(Busse) Hoover and was born in Lima, Ohio, on the 7th day of April, 1865. After attend¬ ing the public schools of his native city until fourteen years of age he began at an early age to work for himself in a furniture fac¬ tory at Lima, operated by Townsend & Moser, and in that capacity he continued un¬ til 1880. From that year until 1883 he was employed as driver oi a furniture wagon for J. C. Musser and then accepted a position as salesman with the firm of Keller & Mead, of Marion, Indiana, with whom he remained until November of the following year. Mr. Hoover's next venture was as traveling sales¬ man for a St. Louis medical company, in which capacity he traversed the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Kentucky, supplying the trade with the many articles manufactured by the firm, until 1885, November of which year lie resigned the position and again entered the service of Keller & Mead, at Marion. He represented the latter house on the road un¬ til November, 1889, at which time he be¬ came one of the organizers of the firm of Ploover Brothers at Lima, where he con¬ tinued until March, 1896, handling very successfully a large amount of furniture in the interim.

In the latter year Mr. Hoover removed to St. Mary's, Ohio, where, until October, 1897, he did a fair business in the general house-furnishing line. Disposing of his in¬ terests in this place, Mr. Hoover, for some time thereafter, traveled extensively through the west selling goods, making the city of Marion, Indiana, his headquarters, and lie was thus engaged until 1898. In January of that year he abandoned the road and pur¬ chased the furniture and general housefurnishing business of J. LJ. Moore, at Hart¬ ford City, taking immediate possession and continuing the same with a greatly enlarged and constantly increasing patronage to the present time. From the original location in the Elton block, on West Washington street, opposite the Methodist church, Mr. Hoover has since moved to the Briscoe block, where he has accommodation of sufficient capacity to meet the demands of the trade. In No¬ vember, 1899, Mr. Hoover lost nearly his entire stock in the building he now occupies, but with shrewd business management and small capital judiciously handled lie has pushed to the front and now easily ranks along with the most stable and prominent concerns in this part of tb state.

Mr. Hoover and Miss India E. Kim¬ ball, daughter of Dr. T. C. and Louisa (Vinncdge) Kimball, of Marion, were united in marriage on the 3d day of June. 1887. Four children have been born to this union : Irma, deceased; Helen; Inez, deceased, and Harriet Esther. In 1896 Mr. Hoover joined the Knights of Pythias, St. Mary's Lodge, at St. Mary's, Ohio, and on coming to Hart¬ ford City transferred his membership here. He has also been identified with the K. O. T. M. since 1896. He has been called at different times to fill offices in the order, having been keeper of finance and for the past year sir knight commander.

Mr. Hoover is essentially a business man, thoroughly familiar with business methods and admittedly fitted by nature and educa¬ tion to manage and carry to successful issue large and important trusts. From boyhood he has been in active- contact with the world, has met its smiles and frowns with a forti¬ tude born of a determination to succeed, and his long connection with various phases of commercial life, together with the trust re¬ posed in him by many employers, prove him to be the possessor of sound judgment and executive ability rarely combined in a single individual. I11 the advancement of Hartford City's general interests Mr. Hoover has not been behind his fellow citizens, as his name is invariably connected with every en¬ terprise calculated to strengthen the public credit or in any way to add to the material, moral or social well-being of the community.

Isaac W. Wingate

Isaac William Wingate was born in the town of East Monroe, Highland county, Ohio, on the 20th day of February, 1837, the son of James W. and Malinda (Stewart) Wingate. During the first fourteen years of his life Mr. Wingate lived in his native town, and then accompanied his parents to Delaware county, Indiana, where the father purchased land and established a home. The family at that time consisted of eight children and the sum total of capital with which to be¬ gin life in a comparatively new and unde¬ veloped country was represented by three horses, one wagon, a meager outfit of fur¬ niture and five hundred dollars in money. Upon the family's arrival the father rented a small log cabin and a little later purchased eighty acres of land, paying for same four hundred dollars in cash and one work horse. After the erection of a log house, which is still standing, every member of the family large enough to handle an ax went to work and before the end of the first year ten acres were cleared and made ready for the plow. The father being a carpenter, worked at his trade in the summer, leaving the clearing and cultivation of the soil to his boys who, toil¬ ing early and late, soon added largely to the original area of tillable land until in due time eighty acres of forest growth were re¬ moved and the ground planted with different crops. In this way Isaac W. Wingate spent the years of his youth and early manhood.

Reared amid such active scenes and learning t lie true value of toil, lie became a strong and athletic j^oung man and before his twen¬ ty-first year had assisted in clearing fully one hundred acres of virgin forest land, from which not a stick of timber had previously been cut.

Just before attaining his majority young Wingate one day assisted his father in roll¬ ing into heaps all the logs on a certain piece of ground, after which he quietly collected what clothing he had, and walking to the 'nearest railroad station, took the train for Ohio. This was the last his parents saw of him for two years. Returning home at the expiration of that time he remained with his father for a limited period and then be¬ gan working for himself at the carpenter's trade, which he had previously learned with his father. Mr. Wingate continued at his trade until 1873, at which time he engaged in the mecantile business at Dunkirk, In¬ diana, where he sold dry goods until meet¬ ing with serious reverses in the great finan¬ cial crisis of 1876. But with the aid of cer¬ tain friends he was enabled to meet his obli¬ gations, although sued in the United States court, and after successfully stemming the tide he exchanged his stock for eighty acres of land in Jackson township, Blackford county. Here he again began using the ax, and with such good results that in due time fifty acres were made ready for tilling. He followed the pursuit of agriculture in Jackson township until 1885, in the fall of which year he was elected sheriff of Blackford county and assuming the duties of the office in August of the year following.

chosen his own successor. At the expira¬ tion of his second term he was induced to continue as deputy, thus making his official experience cover a period of ten years, dur¬ ing which time his management of the im¬ portant trust was such as to win the highest praise from all parties, irrespective of polit¬ ical affiliations. Mr. Wingate retired from the office in 1896, since which date he has given his attention to various lines of busi¬ ness, not the least of which is auctioneering. He is an expert salesman and his services as a public crier are in great demand in the disposal of all kinds of goods and properties and he is frequently called upon to act in that capacity in places far remote from his place of residence. Financially his success has been most encouraging and at this time he is possessor of a handsome fortune, con¬ sisting largely of real estate in various parts of the county, valuable city property and one hundred and twenty acres in Jackson township, this county.

Mr. Wingate was married, June 19, 1862, to Miss Hannah Bales, daughter of James and Malinda (Shirk) Bales, a union blessed with the birth of the following chil¬ dren: James H. ; Herresa R., deceased; Charles H. ; Malinda, deceased; Clista M. ; Cora A. ; Robert R. ; Isaac W. and two that died when quite young without being named. Mrs. Wingate died November 2, 1893.

In addition to his career as a public offi¬ cial and civilian Mr. Wingate had a brief military experience. He enlisted, in 1862, in the Eighty-fourth Indiana Infantry, but was prevented from accompanying his com¬ mand to the front by reason of an accident resulting in a broken leg, which incapacitat¬ ed him for service. This has always been a matter of profound regret, as lie had an

Tub Biographical Record

Mr. Wingate is a model citizen and his influence in the community has always been salutary. To every trust reposed in him he has given a true and faithful rendering and no one has ever accused him of any action or practice savoring in the least of suspicion or disrepute. He treats his fellow man as he would be treated, acts well his part in life, and it is needless to state, in view of what has been said that lie has many friends and commands the respect of the best classes wherever he is known.

H. B. Smith

H. B. Smith, president of the Citizens' National Bank, of Hartford City, was born in Winchester, Randolph county, Indiana, November 22, 1847, and is a son of the Hon. Jeremiah and Cynthia (Dye) Smith. He spent the first fourteen years of his life in his native city and there received his pre¬ liminary education, attending the public schools until 1862, at which time he became a student of the North Western Christian University. He pursued his studies at this university from 1862 until 1865, and the lat¬ ter year went to Union City, where he learned the jeweler's trade. In April, 1869, he engaged in the jewelry business at Hart¬ ford City, and continued the same until 1877, when he disposed of his stock in order to enter upon his duties as clerk of the circuit court, to which position he was elected in the fall of 1876. He served the people accept¬ ably from August, 1877, to August, ] 88 r , and made a creditable record as an able and obliging public officer. In the meantime, January. 1879. upon the organization of the Citizens' Bank he was elected its president and after the expiration of his term as clerk he devoted his entire time and attention to the interests of the bank, the success of which was very largely due to his able manage¬ ment.

In early life Mr. Smith manifested con¬ siderable interest in matters political and in addition to the office already named he was elected, in 1882, bv the Democratic party to represent the district composed of Wells and Blackford counties in the general assembly. He served during one session on the house committee, state's prison and library commit¬ tees, besides taking an active part in all dis¬ cussions of the legislature, and by his in¬ fluence bringing about much legislation bear¬ ing upon the general welfare of the common¬ wealth. During his membership he was prompt and efficient in the discharge of every duty devolving upon him, and his reputa¬ tion as an earnest and discreet public ser¬ vant was universally conceded by his con¬ stituents, both of his own party and also of the opposition.

Subsequently Mr. Smith's legislative ca¬ pacity was further tested by an experience in the state senate, to which he was elected in the year rSqo, from the district composed of Adams, Jay and Blackford counties. The honorable distinction in the subordinate body was not dimmed by his senatorial experience. He was a member of the upper house during two sessions, and while thus engaged served on a number of important committees, de¬ voting particular attention to legislation re¬ lating to natural gas and introducing many bills bearing on this important matter, the majority of which, through his efforts, passed the final reading and became laws.

The close of his second term ended his active official life as far as the suffrage of the people is concerned. Tie had made a record in the senate, as elsewhere, of which posterity need in no wise he ashamed.

Upon the reorganization of the Citizens State Bank, of Hartford City, in 1899, Mr. Smith was again honored by being elected its president, the duties of which he has since discharged with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of all interested in the concern. .With an almost uninterrupted service of twenty years as president of the original bank, his continuance at the head of the present well-known and substantial finan¬ cial institution is a compliment to a clear head, sound judgment and rare execu¬ tive ability such as few possess. Mr. Smith also has large monetary interests in various other enterprises in Hartford City and elsewhere. Financially his success has been commensurate with the ability displayed in his various undertakings and at this time, additional to investments above noticed, he is one of the most extensive owners of real estate in Blackford county, his lands here aggregating over one thousand acres. Mr. Smith early took an active interest in direct¬ ing attention to Hartford City as a favor¬ able manufacturing center and to him as much as to any other individual is due the credit of locating some of the more import¬ ant industries, for which this part of the state is noted. He was a leading spirit in bringing about the organization of the Hart¬ ford City Glass Company and in company with Richard Heagany and others placed that enterprise upon a sound financial basis and continued as one of its directors until the concern was purchased, in 1899, by the American Window Glass Company.

faith in Hartford City and few have mani¬ fested as much interest as he in its growth and welfare. He served as a member of the town board three years before a city charter was obtained and since that time has been active in behalf of every movement having for its object the public good and has been a liberal patron of all enterprises by means of which the material or moral well-being of the community may . be enhanced.

Mr. Smith was united in marriage, in February, 1873, to Miss Nancy A. Holliday, daughter of Joseph W. Holliday, a former well-known and popular resident of Black¬ ford county. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of four children, namely: Cynthia, Elizabeth, Gretta and Addie.

Just before the Mexican war Mr. Holli¬ day was elected to represent the district com¬ posed of Jay and Blackford counties in the In¬ diana legislature, but instead of entering upon his duties as a member of that body he resigned and enlisted as a soldier. On his re¬ turn from the service he was again elected to the general assembly and while serving as a legislator his death occurred.

Mr. Smith is a member of Blackford Lodge, No. 106, F. & A. M., of which he has passed all the chairs besides being chosen at different times representative to the grand lodge of the state. As already stated, he has for a number of years been one of the Demo¬ cratic leaders 'of Blackford county and his services have frequently been called into re¬ quisition ; of the central committee of his party he has thrice heeu chairman.

Sush in brief are the salient facts in a very active, useful. and successful life. Born of a sturdy and intelligent parentage, and reared in the school -of experience, Mr. Smith has from early youth manifested a determination to succeed and the manner in which he has oves ne all obstacles, however formidable, and tlie positions of prominence to which he has been called at different times shows how well that determination has been reduced to fact. He is indeed a notable ex¬ ample of the successful self-made man and his career is'one in which his fellow citizens of Hartford City and Blackford county have ever taken a lively interest. Personally he is a gentleman of genial and social char¬ acteristics, uniformly polite in manner and courteous to all. He is close in his attention to business, is entirely devoid of pretense in manner and with becoming modesty is little inclined to refer to himself or in any way boast of the success to which he has attained.

As a member of society no one stands higher, while his unflinching integrity and genuine native manhood have enabled him to maintain the status coming of honorable and manly bearing. His fidelity to duty in his various enterprises and callings and his zeal under all circumstances sufficiently at¬ test his character and worth.

A list of Randolph county's prominent men would -be incomplete did it not contain the name of the late Judge Jeremiah Smith, for many years a distinguished lawyer of the local bar and a jurist of more than or¬ dinary repute as judge of the circuit art. He was born in 1805, in South Carolina, and in 1817 accompanied his father, William Smith, to Randolph county, Indiana, locat¬ ing in the town of Winchester, where he grew to manhood. His advantages for ob¬ taining an education were considerably lim¬ ited, but by a course of home study and dili¬ gent application he made commendable prog¬ ress and in due time was sufficiently ad¬ vanced to procure a teacher's license. He taught one term of school, in Richmond, In¬ diana, and then turned his attention to sur¬ veying, of which he soon obtained a sound, practical knowledge. From 1820 to 1822 he v'as engaged on the survey of the Kanka¬ kee country and later began the study of law at Winchester, under the direction of Zachariah Hiatt. After his admission to the Randolph bar, in [837, Mr. Smith at once entered upon the active practice of his profession, in addition to which he also served for a number of years as deputy coun¬ ty recorder under Charles Conway. From 1837 011 Judge Smith's rise was steady and substantial and he was called at differenttimes to fill nearly office of note within the gift of the people. Among these may be men¬ tioned deputy recorder, clerk, deputy sher¬ iff, sheriff, surveyor, prosecuting attorney and circuit judge, in all of which he displayed abilities of a hi. h order and acquitted him¬ self to the satisfaction of the public. His principal attention, however, was given to his profession, whicl practiced success¬ fully for a period of y years and during that time he earned the reputation of being one of the best judges of English laiv in the state of Indiana, besides standing at the head of the bar in Randolph county. I11 1839 Judge' Smith erected the Franklin House in Winchester and later, in connection with Hon. O. IT Smith, he located the town of Union City, which made such rapid progress after the completion of the Bee Line Road in 1853. He was a voluminous writer and contributed to the reading public many in¬ teresting articles, besides several, manuscript volumes, including among others, ''Remi¬ niscences of Randolph County" and "Civil

Judge Smith married Cynthia Dye, who bore him ten children, of whom eight are living at the present time, namely: William K., a merchant of Union City; John Dye, jeweler at the same place; Charles C., a farmer residing near Winchester; Mary E., wife of Frank B. Carter, of Bradford, Ohio; Henry B., a banker of Hartford City; Char¬ lotte, wife of George W. White, of Brad¬ ford; J. Giles, a plumber and gas fitter at Indianapolis, and Oliver H., whose home is in Union City. Mrs. Smith died July 7, 1872, her death resulting from injuries re¬ ceived on the Grand Rapids & Indiana Rail¬ road at Winchester. Her sad taking off un¬ der such terrible circumstances is supposed to have hastened the death of her husband, whose earthly career terminated in Decem¬ ber, 1872. Judge Smith was a man of pro¬ nounced opinions on any subject in which he became interested, and for over forty years he was a conspicuous public figure in Win¬ chester, where he always maintained his resi¬ dence. He was a strong adherent to the principles of the Democratic party, of which he was an able and uncompromising advo¬ cate. Whether as an advisor in the coun¬ cils of the party or an eloquent speaker on the hustings, his services were effective and highly appreciated and he was always con¬ sidered a power in campaigns where great issues were involved. He was a consistent member of the Christian or Disciple church, always active in the advocacy of the plea of the religious body, and for many years an accredited teacher and leader among them. As a business man he was successful, having by prudent and well-directed foresight amassed a handsome fortune, consisting, in the greater part, of landed estate. Person-.

ally he was a gentleman of strict integrity, blameless morals, honorable and upright in his dealings and won the confidence and es¬ teem of all who knew him. Few men of Randolph county are as widely and favorably known and Indiana will always be proud to class him among her favorite sons.

Prominent among the names that have added luster to the medical profession in Hartford City is that of Dr. Peter Drayer, who for a period of thirty-five years has de¬ voted his time and energies to ministering to the needs of suffering humanity here and elsewhere. The Doctor traces his paternal ancestry back through several generations to Pennsylvania, in which state a number of representatives of his family were livingnear the beginning of the present century. From the most reliable information obtain¬ able it is learned that the Drayers came orig¬ inally from Germany and were among the sturdy, honest, industrious class which that, country contributed to the new world dur¬ ing the latter's formative period as a nation. The Doctor's grandfather, Peter Drayer, a native of the Keystone state, was by occupa¬ tion a tiller of the soil, in addition to which his services as a ready man with tools were utilized by the people of the community where he resided. In an early day Peter Drayer emigrated to Montgomery county, Ohio, and settled near the present site of Farmersville on land purchased from the government. He was one of the pioneers of the county of Montgomery, bore his full share in its development and died a number of years ago upon the farm he originally en- tered. lie liad a v\ife, Mary, and seven chil dren, all of whom long since passed from the scenes of their earthly toil and environ¬ ment. Peter Draver was a man of consider¬ able local prominence and is remembered as an earnest and faithful member of the Ger¬ man Reformed church, the religious belief which appears to have been espoused by a great number of his descendants.

On his mother's side the Doctor's family is also of German origin and, like the Drayers, they were early settlers in Pennsylvania. Emigrating to Ohio when that state was considered the western border of civilization, the Sorbers settled in Preble county, where some of their descendants still reside. The Doctor's grandfather, Jacob Sorber, was a man of affairs, the possessor of a comfort¬ able competence of this world's goods, and he left the impress of his strong personality on the neighborhood he assisted in found¬ ing. Pie was also a leading member of the German Reformed church and assisted lib¬ erally of his means in planting congrega¬ tions of his faith among the early settlers of Preble and other counties of western Ohio. Of his six children but one is living at the present time, the Doctor's mother, who has reached a ripe old age and still resides at her old home in the Buckeye state.

Lewis Drayer and Susan Sorber were married in the county of Preble and became the parents of six children, whose names are as follows: Peter, the subject of this biog¬ raphy; Catharine resides in Dayton, Ohio; Caroline L., wife of Jeremiah Bishop, a farmer of Preble county; Edgar J., a con¬ tractor doing business in the city of Dayton ; Alice M., deceased; and an infant that died unnamed.

The elder Drayer, a farmer by occupa¬ tion, lived in Preble county until his fiftyfifth year, when he retired to the town of West Alexandria, where the remaining days of his life were spent. lie was a man of many sterling qualities and marked char¬ acteristics, lived an honorable and upright life and against his career as a citizen and neighbor no breath of suspicion was ever known to have been cast. For many years he was an ardent politician and achieved considerable prominence in his neighborhood as a leader of the local Democracy. Like his father before him* he was reared in the Ger¬ man Reformed church and continued loyal to his faith, the teachings of which he ex¬ emplified in a life void of offense toward God and man.

Dr. Peter Drayer first saw the light of day in Montgomery county, Ohio, Decem¬ ber 5, 1840, and the years of his youth and early manhood were spent on the old home¬ stead. His preliminary education embraced a knowledge of the branches constituting at that time the curriculum of the common schools and later he supplemented the train¬ ing thus received by a four-years course in Oxford College, now Miami University. Having early in life definitely decided to de¬ vote himself to the medical profession and being well prepared for its study by reason of intellectual training, he entered, in 1862, the office of Dr. John Davis, a prominent physician of Dayton, under whose tutelage he continued for a period of three years, the meanwhile attending lectures at Cincin¬ nati and Columbus. In 186^ he was gradmated from the Starling Medical College, of the latter city, and immediately thereafter entered upon the active duties of his calling at Lewisburg, Preble county, where he con¬ tinued about a year, building up a large and lucrative practice during that time. In 1866 he opened an office in Hartford City, where he has since continued in the practice, being at this time one of the best known and most eminently successful physicians of the place as far as practical results are concerned, and at the same time one of the oldest physi¬ cians of the place in point of residence.

Dr. Drayer was married, in Dayton, Ohio, to Miss Matilda Oldfather, daughter of Peter and Julia Ann (Myers) Oldfather, of that place, and their union has resulted in the birth of the following children : Mary O., widow of Charles B. Edson, of Chicago, Illinois; Lewis Park, a physician practicing his profession in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Edith, wife of Prof. Albert Crowe, of the Fort Wayne high school; Julia Ann, student in Wilson College, Chamber sburg, Pennsylvania; and George P., student in the Fort Wayne high school, where he is preparing himself for college.

Dr. Drayer is a Royal Arch Mason, a Republican in politics and the Presbyterian church represents his religious creed. Dur¬ ing* his long period of residence in Hartford City his < ictice has been extensive and his skill and learning in his profession have won for him recognition among the leading medi¬ cal men in this section of the state and a reputation much more than local with pa¬ tients who have profited by his services. He has always taken warm interest in the prog¬ ress of medical science, and by close and critical perusal of the best professional lit¬ erature keeps himself in touch with the latest discoveries and permits nothing of import¬ ance pertaining to his calling to escape his notice or investigation. In the practice the Doctor is much more than ordinarily skill¬ ful and his demeanor in the sick room is such as to beget immediate confidence on the part of patients, a potent factor in assisting to arrest and keep under control the many ills to which poor humanity is heir. As a citi¬ zen the Doctor is progressive, fully in sym¬ pathy with any and all enterprises having for their Object the material and moral advance¬ ment of society, and the city's welfare has ever been to him an object of great concern. Especially is he an enthusiastic friend of education, as will be seen by the advantages made possible for his children, all of whom have been encouraged to complete courses in the higher institutions of learning and pre¬ pare themselves for careers of usefulness. By nature Dr. Drayer is fortunately en¬ dowed with a strong and vigorous physique and by careful attention to the same he has been able to meet and discharge his many exacting duties with but little, if any, im¬ pairment of his bodily faculties. His per¬ sonal presence is agreeable and commanding and he moves among his fellows with a dig¬ nity that at once begets respect, and his man¬ ners are such as to win and retain the friend¬ ship of all with whom he comes in contact. Useful as a member of society, profession¬ ally with a record assured, and in every rela¬ tion of life a man of sterling worth and strict integrity, Dr. Drayer is certainly en¬ titled to the place he occupies in the con¬ fidence and esteem of the public.

Charles J. Liurrle

Charles Joseph Hurrle, proprietor and manager of the Hurrle Glass Works of Hart¬ ford City, hails from the historic old land of Spain, where he was born on the 9th day of September. 1848, his native place being the city of Gojon. His parents were Joseph and Iquaxia (Lilenthal) Hurrle, he of Ger¬ man and she of Spanish birth. When two years of age Mr. Ilurrle was taken by liis j parents to Germany, and in 1858 went t<> Italy, in which country he grew to maturity and there enjoyed exceptionally good educa¬ tional advantages, completing the high school course in the place where the family resided, Domodossola. In Italy he learned glass blowing and worked at the trade some years before coming to the United States, the meantime becoming an expert in his chosen calling and familiarizing himself with eyery detail of glass manufacture. 3n 1871 Mr. Ilurrle came to America, locating first at the town of Belle Vernon, Pennsyl¬ vania, where lie worked for some time in a glass factory, and then went to Pittsburg, where he also found employment as a blower. From that place he removed to Quaker City, Ohio, where he became manager of a large glass plant, in which he also took stock. After doing a prosperous business until 1887 he engaged in the manufacture of glass upon a much more extensive scale in Toledo, where he erected a factory of his own, the meantime disposing of his interest in Quaker City. His Toledo venture proving pros¬ perous, Mr. Ilurrle continued there until 1890, at which time, taking advantage of the encourage inducements afforded by the Indiana gas Held, he sold his factory and removed to Dunkirk, this slate, where he organized a stock company and erected a plant, which, under his successful manage¬ ment, was operated for a period of eight years. Disposing of his interests in this es¬ tablishment in 1898, he came to Hartford City and again organized a stock company, composed of some of the leading business men of the place, and in February of that year erected a large and substantial build¬ ing, supplied with the latest improved ap¬ pliances for die manufacture of window glass. After operating the plant jointly for about two mouths Mr. Ilurrle purchased the entire stock and has since been sole pro¬ prietor. Tile Ilurrle Class Work's building is located at the end of Kickapoo street, just without the corporate limits, and is one of the leading manufacturing establishments of the city. The output is four thousand boxes per month, to pr luce which requires the work of sixty-two men. while frequently more than that number are employed to meet the demands of trade.

As stated in a previous paragraph, Mr. Ilurrle is an expert glass man, to which, mav also be addeU exceptionally sound judgment and superior business ability, both of which have been displayed in the various enter¬ prises with which he has been identified. In the management of the large concern of hich he is now the head his success has been most encouraging and few manufacturers of the gas belt have a more extended reputa¬ tion or a more enviable standing in the busi¬ ness circles of the country. He has spared neither labor nor capital to make his works complete in all their parts, supplying all the latest improved devices, and the product of the factory has a reputation second to that of no other for its superior excellence. Per¬ sonally Mr. Ilurrle is gentlemanly in his in¬ tercourse with his fellow men and the public, and his coming to Hartford City has been a valuable acquisition to the city's popula¬ tion. Although of foreign birth, he long since learned to appreciate the superiority of free institutions and is now in the true sense of the term a thoroughly loyal and true citi¬ zen of the United States. Fraternally he is a member of Lodge No. 338, K. of i\, of Dunkirk, Indiana, and has recently become identified with the Masonic brotherhood. He gives assent to no creed or confession of faith, hut in the matter of religion is liberal in all the word implies, being free to think for himself and formulate his own belief, ! and he accords the same privilege to others.

Mr. liurrle and Miss Jennie E. Krcpps were united in marriage at Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, not long after his location at that place, and his home has since become the abiding place of the following children: Etna E. Toyle, Ulric K., Thelma J. and Clyde C.

Frank McClellan Nelson, deputy sheriff of Blackford county, Indiana, was born in Grant county, same state, March 14, 1865, a son of James A. and Susannah (Timony) Nelson.

James A. Nelson came from one of the Carolinas and was married in Grant county and there resided until 1876, when he came to Washington township, Blackford county, and bought a farm, but was not very for¬ tunate financially and now lives on the sub¬ ject's farm. To his marriage with Miss Timony there have been born three children, viz: Frank McClellan, the subject of this sketch; Ira P., principal of the high school at Montpelier; and Viola Alice, deceased. The family are Campbellites in religion, and the father is quite popular locally, being a great biblical student and expounder of the scriptures. In politics he is a Democrat.

Frank McClellan Nelson attended the Grant county common schools until sixteen years old, then worked out by the month at farm labor for six years. February 2, 1888, he married in this county and began house¬ keeping on a farm owned by William Kelly, in Washington township, which he rented.

for two years, lie then moved upon his father-in-law's place, over which the latter yet has partial control, although Mrs. Nel¬ son's father has deeded them forty acres. Mr. Nelson lived on this last me; tinned farm until August 24, 1899, when he was selected as deputy sheriff. He then moved to Ilartj ford City, where he has resided since Jan¬ uary, 1900. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Ailcy Anna Kitterman, was born in Washington township, Blackford county, January 17, 1865, and is a daughter of Gabriel and Sarah (Williams) Kitterman, the former of whom is an old pioneer and one of the most prominent of the township's citizens. To Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have been born two children - Lena F., deceased, and Sarah Lilly, and the family are held in great esteem on account of their many per¬ sonal merits.

Mr. Nelson is a Democrat and for eight years served as constable in Washington township, a training that well qualified, him for his present office of deputy sheriff. lie is very handy with tools and for two years sold and erected windmills and drilled wells in connection with farming.

George Gadbury

George Gadbury, general manager of the Hartford City Flint Glass Works, is a na¬ tive of Blackford county, Indiana, and a son of Samuel and Julia Gadbury. He first saw the light of day in Hartford City on the 4th day of June, 1859, and his literary education embraced the studies comprising the public school curriculum. Until twenty years of age he assisted his father on the farm, at¬ tending school the meantime, and then berun biographical record gan life for himself as a grocery clerk, in which capacity he continued three years. Severing his connection with his employer, Mr. Gadhury decided to reside in the west. Accordingly about [882 he went to Freedonia, Kansas, where for a period of twentytwo months he van a bus and transfer line in connection with the hotel business, the ven¬ ture proving financially remunerative. After spending two years in the west a part of the time in Colorado, he went to Cincinnati and engaged as salesman with Robert Sellers & Company, wholesale dealers in hats, and con¬ tinued in the employ of that firm until 1890. In the latter year he became interested in the manufacture of glass at Dunkirk, Indi¬ ana, and after remaining at that place about eight years he came to Hartford City and in January, 1898, began building the Flint Glass Works, which have since become one of the leading enterprises of the kind in the gas belt.

In the organization of the Hartford City Flint Glass Company Mr. Gadhury was a leading spirit and to him is largely due much of the success which the enterprise has since attained. With the exception of a brief period of six weeks these works have been in active operation ever since erected, and the reputation the product has achieved in the markets of the world has brought the firm to the favorable notice of dealers throughout the United States and even be¬ yond the confines of this country. The com¬ pany at the present time is composed of R. K. Williams, president ; II. G. Page, vicepresident; S. J. Farrell, treasurer; A. S. Lyle, secretary, and George Gadhury, su¬ perintendent and general manager.

which he is now connected displays fine exec¬ utive ability, keen discrimination and such thorough mastery of every detail as to mark him as a superior manager of large and re¬ sponsible trusts. He has been untiring in his efforts to develop the glass industry in this part of the state and the progress he has already made in this direction and the steady increase in the volume of business annually done through his instrumentality are cer¬ tain!)' encouraging auguries for the future. Decision, judgment and, as stated above, executive force, together with honesty, are among his most prominent characteristics, and, they have made and will continue to make him successful in all his undertakings. He shares with other popular and aggressive business men of the city a large share of public esteem and this he has endeavored to repay by a zealous interest in whatever tends to promote the material prosperity of the town and moral advancement of society.

1897, to Miss Kate W. Wells, daughter of Me. and Mary Wells, and his home is made bright and cheerful by the presence therein of one child, Hazel D., whose advent into the world dates from the 13th day of August,

The subject of this sketch, a retired farm¬ er and ex-sheriff of Blackford county, is the son of James A. and Isabelle (Kellough) Gadhury, and was born July 6, 1832, in Ross county, Ohio. In 1834, when but two years of age, he rvas brought by his parents to Blackford county and grew to manhood on the home farm in Lincoln township, a part of the place being now included in the county

1 lis opportunities for obtaining' a knowledge of books were limited to a few months' at¬ tendance in a country school taught in the vicinity of his father's farm, but what he lacked in opportunity he made up in after years by close observation and contact with his fellow men in the practical affairs of life, lie chose agriculture as a vocation and until' retiring from active labor pursued the same with such success that in due time he suc¬ ceeded in accumulating a comfortable com¬ petence, which placed himself and family in a position of independence. In 1868 he was elected sheriff of Blackford county, which position lie tilled to the satisfaction of the public for a period of four years, and then resumed farming" until his retirement therefrom and removal to Hartford City in 1 873-

In October, 1864, Mr. Gadbnry enlisted in Company K, Fifty-first Indiana Infantry, with which he served until discharged, No¬ vember 17 of the following year, participat¬ ing meantime in the battle of Nashville and the various operations in the vicinity of that city during a very trying period of the war. After being mustered out of the army lie returned home and ever since that time he lias been actively interested in the develop¬ ment and welfare of the county.

Mr. Cadbury has been three times mar¬ ried. His first wife, to whom he was united April 28, 1853, was Rebecca Hess, daugh¬ ter of Jacob and Catherine (Hess) Hess, who bore him two children: Sarah J., bon March 15, 1855, and Joseph, horn on the 17th day of September, 1857, and dying six weeks later. The mother of these children was called to her final rest September 28

1857. and subsequently Mr. Gadlniry en¬ tered into the marriage relation with Julia, daughter of John and Lucy (Bell) Mar¬ shall, the Bsuc of which was one child, a son, George Cadbury, of whom mention will he made in these pages. The Marshalls were among the early pioneers of Black¬ ford comity, settling here when there were but four families living within the present limits of the county.

Mr. Cadbury's household was again visited by the death a -.gel, who took there¬ from his companion, and later he married his present wife, Mary Jane Stahl, daughter of Jacob and Ellen (Reese) Stahl, a union blessed with four children, namely: Mary Ellen, horn September 17, i860; Charles, born May 6, 1862; Samuel Logan, horn November 22, 1864; and twins, Leo and Lydia, the last named dying* in infancy.

Mr. Cadbury is one of the representa¬ tive men of Hartford City, which he has seen grow from an insignificant hamlet to its present size and flourishing condition, and he lias also been an eye witness of the many remarkable changes which have trans¬ formed Blackford county from its primitive state into one of the most enlightened sec¬ tions of the commonwealth. Nor has he been a witness only of the rapid strides of civilization in these parts, but in a quiet but active way has participated in bringing about results which to-day are the pride and boast of this intelligent and progressive commun¬ ity. A man of the people, he has ever been interested in their welfare and every enter¬ prise for the city's or county's good has found in him an earnest advocate and liberal patron. His religions belief is found in the Presbyterian church and for some years he has been an elder and trustee of the con ereo juilously honest and upright in all liis deal¬ ings and enjoying the friendship and gwud will of all with whom he associates, living' up to his convictions of right as he sees the right, it is eminently fitting to class him with the successful self-made men of the county of Blackford.

Samuel J. Farrell

Samuel J. Farrell, general assistant at the Citizens State Bank, was born in Henry county, March 27, 1868, and is a son of James and Martha Susan (Moore) Farrell. James Farrell, the father, is a native of In¬ diana, the mother coming from Pennsyl¬ vania. They were married in Indiana and went to housekeeping in Henry county, Mr. Farrell having engaged in railroading. Alter a time he embarked in the mercantile busi¬ ness in Middleton, the same county. Fie also served as postmaster until the Cleveland administration.

To James and Martha Farrell have been born eight children, of whom four survive, amely: Lillie, wife of J. W. Hedrick, a letired farmer near Middleton, Indiana; J. W., a merchant at Middleton ; Samuel J., our subject, and William C., also a merchant of Middleton. The)r are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically Mr. Farrell is a Republican. His son, J. W., was at one time clerk and treasurer of Middleton, serving in that capacity for sev¬ eral years.

It is with pleasure that we record the history of so enterprising a young man as Samuel J. Farrell, our subject. He received his education in the common schools of I lenry county. At the age of eighteen years he

; began working, doing whatever he could find to do. In 1 888 he began clerking. hi a short time he was engaged as clerk, operator and general extra man in the office of the Panhandle Railroad at Middleton. lie worked in this capacity until 1890, when he came to Hartford City, in the sendee of \V. L. Van Cleve, a drv goods merchant of this place. Here he remained for two year . On Christmas day, 1892. he began working ! for the Citizens Slate Bank as collector, lie | now has charge of the collections and is gen¬ eral assistant.

Our subject is a Republican and received the nomination and was elected a member of the town council from the second ward in 1896. lie served four years and was an efficient president of the town board two years, was nominated May 23, 1900, for recorder of Blackford county by a majority of one hundred and twelve votes.

Our subject is affiliated with the I. O. O. F. encampment, and is a Patriarch Mil¬ itant. FT i s wife is an enthusiastic member of the order of the Eastern Star.

Prominently identified among the en¬ terprising business men of Blackford coun¬ ty and one of the leading citizens of Hartford City, is the subject of this memoir. G. \V. Hutchinson was horn in Union county, Ohio, March 11, 1848. He is the son of Stephen R. and Mary A. (Lockwood) Hutchinson. Mr. Hutchinson's fa- tber was a native of Vermont and his mother of Union county, Ohio. The marriage of tin's venerable couple occurred in 1845, near Newton, Union county, Ohio. Eight cliil- j dren blessed this union, of whom four are still living: George W., the subject of this mention; Lorenzo A., engaged in the manu¬ facture of woolen goods at Meehan icsburg, Ohio; Elvare D., a dry goods clerk, resid¬ ing at Sullivan, Illinois; Hannah L., of North Lewisburg, Ohio; Willis and Ellis, twins, the former of whom is deceased; Loretta and Mary, both deceased.

Mr. Stephen Hutchinson was engaged in farming during the early years of his life and being possessed of an education superior to those times he. in count ion with his farm work, taught several terms of school, while a resident of the Buckeye state. He decided in 1850 to try his fortunes in the far west, mov¬ ing- to Iroquois county, Illinois. Not finding there what he wished for, Mr. Hutchinson and his family returned to their old home county, Union, where the family resided for one year, when they again sought a home in the west, this time moving to Marshall coun¬ ty. Iowa. In this county, at Johnson and Mahaska, they made their home until the fall of 1858, when finding the hardships and privations of the frontier life more than they could endure, they turned toward the old home state. On arriving at Fulton county, Illinois, they selected a place of resi¬ dence and there remained until i860, when they returned to Union county, Ohio, where they remained until the spring of 1861, when they moved to Champaign county, Ohio, where they resided until Mr. Hutchinson's death. Stephen Hutchinson was a Demo¬ crat until the commencement of the war, voting for Douglas, and when that dread¬ ful crisis came and the Union was in danger of .disruption, the loyal hearts of this father and mother were deeply stirred and it was decided that the husband should go forth and do battle for the nation's honor, while the brave wife and mother would remain alone with her family at home. Mr. Hutch¬ inson enlisted, in 1862, in Company U, Ninety-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for three .\ars, leaving home for the front Au¬ gust 1 2, 1862. The ambition of this gal¬ lant man was destined not to be realized, as he was wot nded two weeks later at Lex¬ ington, Kentucky, where he was also taken prisoner. He was paroled and started home, but on account of his wound and camp diar¬ rhoea, was taken to hospital, reaching Cin¬ cinnati, Ohio, and died there October 19, 1862, just about three months from the time he left home. His laudable ambition to pro¬ vide a comfortable home for his family was never to be realized by him, but he left in¬ stead a legacy consisting- of a good name, and to the world the record of a good soldier, an example for others to follow, as he had been an honest, hard-working man, with upright Christian principles. The widow, being left alone in this cruel way, continued to live at North Lewisburg, Ohio, and some years later married Ancil Wheeler and the family removed to Richland county, Illinois, where they resided until her death, in 1878.

We will now turn our attention to the son, George, for whom this review is pre¬ pared and of whom we will speak in detail. George W. Hutchinson received his ele¬ mentary education in the country schools, such as the times afforded, and this was later supplemented by attending school for a short time at North Lewisburg. Then, his father being dead, it became necessary for him to begin work, and he, until 1866, was employed at general labor, doing what ever he could find to do. In the above year he was employed as a clerk hy S. S. Carrell, who was the proprietor of a grocery and hardware store at North Lewisburg, and with such fidelity did he apply himself to the duties assigned him that he soon had the entire confidence of his employer, and as a reward for his integrity and honesty Mr. Carroll made him his partner in 1870 and they continued to carry on business there until the fall of 1872, when the firm of S. S. Carrell &' Company removed to Hartford City. Here they carried on an extensive trade until 1879, when Mr. Carrell retired from the firm and our subject became sole owner and up to this time he has been known as one of the most progressive merchants in Hartford City. He carries a stock of gen¬ eral hardware, in addition to which he keeps a full line of tinware, stoves, gas and plumb¬ er's supplies, valued at four thousand dollars, while his annual sales amount to about fif¬ teen thousand dollars, and lie is really the leading dealer in his line in the county. April 16, 1874, Mr. Hutchinson was united in marriage to Miss Maria Gertrude Car¬ rell, the daughter of his former partner. Mrs. Hutchinson was born October 27, 1855, West Liberty, Ohio, a l has borne her husband three children, as follows: Edna Evangeline, a former teacher in the public schools of Hartford City, and now book¬ keeper at the Shirley-Carrell bicycle store. Anna Martina, who has charge of her fa¬ ther's books and is bill clerk for the United States Express Company. Ralph Murray, clerk in Winter's dry goods store, having recently graduated from the high school. Mr. Hutchinson and family are active mem¬ bers of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is trustee, and for twenty years was its secretary and treasurer of the official

A Republican in politics, though not partisan, he seeks the best man for the place, regardless of part lines, as it is character rather than politics that he looks for. As a citizen Mr. Hutchinson is highly respected and in every relation of life prudence and moderation have been his prominent charac¬ teristics and pure and just motives his chief incentive to action. Honored and esteemed by all who know him, having accomplished much and with much still, to live for, and oc¬ cupying a conspicuous place in the public gaze, true to his manhood, he indeed is one of the worthy men of his generation.

Eugene M. Shinn

Eugene Melville Shinn, attorney and counselor-at-law, 3'mmgest son of H011. B. G. Shinn, was born on the 15th day of Au¬ gust, 1868, in the town of Bluff ton. Wells county, Indiana. In 18 7 r-, w hen three years of age, he wras brought by his parents to Hartford City, where he grew to manhood, attending, until his eighteenth year, the city schools and later pursuing- the higher branches of learning in DePamv University, of which he was a student for three terms. Meanwhile he was, for a number of years, engaged as newsdealer in Hartford City and after completing his scholastic studies at the university accepted a clerical position for the Mercer Lumber Company, of this city, in which capacity he continued for a limited period, severing his connection therewith for the purpose of entering upon the study of law.

Mr. Shinn began preparing for the legal profession under the aide tutelage of his fa¬ ther, with whom he effected a co-partner¬ ship in the practice immediately after ad¬ mission to the bar, under the firm name of Shinn & Shinn, and from that time to the present his rise has been gradual.

.lie was married, at Bluff ton, Indiana, May 30, 1S97, h) Miss Elsie May Sprague, whose birth occurred on the 7th day of June, 1874. Mrs. Shinn is the oldest daugh¬ ter of Andrew and Catherine (Bell) Sprague and has borne her husband one child, a daughter, Emily Catherine, who was born on the 1 8th day of April, 1898.

Mr. Shinn is a gentleman of scholarly tastes and wide reading. Socially he is genial and pleasant, always gentlemanly in his manners and possesses the happy faculty, not only of making friends, but of binding them to him by his good qualities of head and heart. From his youth up he has al¬ ways taken a great interest in national, state and local politics, being well informed as to the lives and characters of the public men of the day and the history of current ques¬ tions. He has been a potent factor in the councils of the Republican party in Black¬ ford countv and, while an earnest and hide- ^ * fatigable worker, has never alienated the af¬ fection of any of his friends by aggressive and offensive partisan method. Mr. Shinn is a man of domestic tastes and takes much pride in his pleasant home.

William Henry Morse

iain Henry Morse, who for a number of years has supplied the people with this nec¬ essary article of diet, besides building up a trade which places bis name among the progressive men of the place. Mr. Morse is an eastern man, hailing from the historic old state of Massachusetts, where his birth occurred on the 12th day of August. 1855. His parents, also Massachusetts people, were Charles and Isabella (Witmore) Morse and for a great manv years both families have been represented in various parts of New England. After attending the public schools at intervals until his nineteenth year, Mr. Morse left home and began battling with the world upon his own responsibility, engaging first in farming, which lie followed for a short time and later worked as a teamster, drawing wood into the town near which he lived. Among the first money earned was that received for cutting and marketing wood on a ten-acre tract of land, a task which required one winter to accomplish. Meantime he went west as far as Iowa, but not being pleased with that country returned to the state of his nativity and there remained until coming to Hartford City in the year 1889. Seeing here a favorable opportunity for dairying Mr. Morse at once engaged in the business, at first on a rather limited scale, leasing for the purpose the Judg Carroll farm, just within the corporate limits of the city. From the outstart the enter¬ prise proved successful and from that time to the present Mr. Morse has gradually en¬ larged the business and now has a large and lucrative trade, by far the most extensive of the kind in the county. He disp. ses of one hundred and sixty-five gallons of milk daily, besides from eighteen to thirty gallons of cream, to supply which lie maintains nine¬ ty-two fine cows and waits upon his many customers with three conveyances. To run his dairy successfully requires the labor of quite a number of men, five besides himself. This year he has constructed a large barn. 126x36 feet in area, with a st i 1.1 larger base¬ ment, and a cellar seventy-two feet long* and thirty-six feet wide. Since opening* his busi¬ ness Mr. Morse has purchased land of his own, one hundred and twenty acres of which are cultivated for the purpose of supplying feed for his herd of cattle and nine horses, in addition to which he rents one hundred and forty acres more, all under a high state of cultivation.

By the foregoing it will be seen that Mr. Mo: e knows well how to manage his busi¬ ness and the success with which his efforts thus far have been crowned is due entirely to his wise and superior management. Few men with limited capital at the beginning could have accomplished as much, but in¬ dustry, when coupled with sound judgment, will in the main win success from what to many would prove failure. Mr. Morse has gained and retained his patronage by strictly adhering to every promise, and by supplying his customers with pure, wholesome articles lias won a confidence not easily lost.

Mr. Morse is a member of the K. of P., belonging" to Blackford Lodge, No. 135, with which he became identified in 1801 : in religion he is a Methodist, his name ap¬ pearing upon the records of the Hartford City congregation. On the 28th day of April, 1885, he and Charlotte A., daugh¬ ter of Joseph L. and Anna (Rust) Lee, be¬ came husband and wife and their home has been cheered by the advent of three children : Lottie Josephine, born in 1887, and died in t888; Anna Whitmore, horn January 31, 1890; and William Henry, whose birth oc¬ curred May 26, 1892.

Alexander Gable

The well-known gentleman whose brief biography is herewith set forth is a veteran of the late Civil war and for a number of years has been actively identified with the business interests of Hartford City and .Blackford county. Mr. Gable was born in Louisville. Kentucky, October 7, 1836, the son of Ch and Margaret (Hargood) Gable, the r of German and the mother of Welsh nit. Charles Gallic came to the United ites in 1832 and settled in the city of Baltimore, thence moved to Louis¬ ville, Kentucky, and later came to Indiana, where his death occurred in the spring of 0859. 'The grandfather of Mrs. Margaret Gable immigrated to America from Wales in an early day and located in Pennsylvania, in which s' ate and Delaware a number of the Hargood family are still living. Her father, John Hargood, was a soldier of the war of 1812 and met his death a number of years ago by being crushed beneath a heavy cask of tobacco, which lie was endeavoring" to hoist. He was a tobacconist and worked at his trade a great many years in the city of Baltimore.

The subject of this article attended the schools of his native city until twelve years of age. at which time the familv removed to Clark county, Indiana, where he continued his studies, as occasions would permit, until the age of fifteen. 1 le then accepted a minor position in a wholesale grocery house in Louisville, and after a year spent in that ca¬ pacity began working at the carpenter's trade with his father, who was a skilled mechanic. On becoming an efficient workman Mr. Gable began taking contracts for himself and for a period of forty years gave his attention to his trade. At the breaking out of the Civil war lie- espoused the cause of the I'uion and in 1861 enlisted in the Seventy-first Ohio Vol¬ unteer Infantry for three years' service. This regim 4 was organized in the fall of the above ) ear at Troy. At the expiration of the period of enlistment the original members who did not longer wish to remain received discharges and returned to their respective homes. The veterans, tog-ether with new recruits, formed a new organization, which continued actively at the front until the close of the war, and achieved a reputation for gallantry second to that of no other regi¬ ment in the service at that time. The follow¬ ing is only a partial list of battles in which the Seventy-first took part, in all of which Mr. Gable shared with his comrades the vicissitudes and honors attendant upon duty faithfully and uncomplainingly performed: Fort Donelson, Clarksville, Shiloh, Cum¬ berland Iron Works, Jonesboro, Love joy Station, Georgia, Columbia, Tennessee, be¬ sides numerous minor engagements and skirmishes which are not mentioned in the official record of the regiment.

Mr. Gable entered the service as a pri¬ vate, but for meritorious conduct was pro¬ moted, January 25, 1862, second lieutenant, and the first day of December following was made first lieutenant of his company. In the latter capacity he continued until 1864, in April of which year he was further honored by being placed in command of his company. He served as captain until the fall of the above year, when, by reason of the serious illness of his mother, he resigned and came home to look after her interests. Later, December, 1864, he recruited Company D, One Hundred and Ninety-third Ohio Vol¬ unteers, with which he served until mustered out at Camp Chase on the 12th day of Au¬ gust, 1865, after which he returned home

In 1868 Mr. Galile came to Hartford Citv, which has since been his home, and here he resumed his trade, soon becomingone of the most successful contractors and builders in Blackford county. Among the evidences of his skill may be cited the Van Cleve block, the Bank block, Methodist church, central school building, besides a great many other public edifices and private residences in the city and country, in addi¬ tion to which much other work requiring mechanical talent of a high order has from time to time been entrusted to him. He was an honest workman, and by always keep¬ ing abreast of the times i.11 matters pertaining to his calling was never without large and remunerative contracts. For some years he has not been actively engaged at his trade, the public having called him to positions of honor and trust, which he has filled with credit to himself and satisfaction to all con¬ cerned.

Mr. Gable is a worthy representative of the large and eminently respectable class of artisans whose handiwork has added so much to the material prosperity of the great west, and whose character has given stabil¬ ity to the body politic. Flis life, though quiet and unassuming, has been one of uni¬ form success; his integrity has never been questioned and in all his transactions with the world no one has ever accused him of a mean or selfish act. His career as a citizen in the private walks of life is without a stigma, while as a gallant defender of the nation's honor in its hours of peril his record is unsullied and he will ever he honored by his descendants for an unselfish devotion to a cause the success of which reunited a dis¬ rupted country in the bonds of an indissolu- ble brotherhood, and forever established a fact that a government of the people by the people and for the people "should not perish from the earth." No man in 1 1 art ford City occupies a more conspicuous place in the pub¬ lic esteem, and to posterity he will leave a character worthy the emulation of the wisest and best of mankind.

On the 13th day of September, 1866, in Auglaize county. Ohio, Mr. Gable entered into the marriage relation with Miss Caro¬ line Crajg, daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Matthews) Craig, the wife's mother a dis¬ tant relative of the late Governor Matthews of Indiana. The issue of this union has been ten children, whose names are as follows: Harry E., deceased; Nellie H. married J. B. Alexander; Emma, deceases; Catharine, wife of W. T. Allen : Daisy, deceased ; Will¬ iam, deceased: Bessie; Caroline; Edith, de¬ ceased, and Paul.

Mr. Gable is a Republican and as such has rendered his party signal service, in rec¬ ognition of which hie was appointed by Presi¬ dent Harrison postmaster of Hartford City. He filled the place very acceptably for a period of four years and for two years served the city as a member of the common council, taking an active part in the deliberations of that body and promoting much important municipal legislation. In 1895 '1C was elected township trustee, an office he has since filled in such a manner as to command the re¬ spect and confidence of the public.

Riley J. Coulson

have been in demand in (he disposal of mer¬ chandise and all kinds of property requiring an expert crier. Mr. Coulson was born in Jay county, Indiana, September 10, 1857, and is the son of Jabez and Sarah (McCann) Coulson. Until his eleventh year he at¬ tended the district schools, after which time he worked on the farm until eighteen, when ' lie took service with the proprietor of a large stone quarry near the town of Mont¬ pelier. In this capacity he continued for a short time and then engaged in the manu¬ facture of drain tile at the above place, which business occupied his attention for a period of two years.

During ic two succeeding years Mr. Coulson was employed on a saw-mill at Mont¬ pelier, at the end of which time he accepted the position of bar tender in Wash Bungey's sample rooms, where he remained about eighteen months. The following nine months he was similarly engaged by Clapper & Lillibridge at Hartford City and then purchased a sample room of his own, which he conduct¬ ed successfully for three years. Disposing of his stock of goods, he was for some time thereafter engaged in buying timber in part¬ nership with John C. Nixon, of Jay county, later discontinuing this and embarking in the cement business, which he has since con¬ tinued with marked success and financial profit.

Meantime Mr. Coulson began public auctioneering and his reputation as a sales¬ man has been such as to create great demand for his services, both at home and at places far distant from his place of residence. He is peculiarly fitted for this calling, possess¬ ing excellent judgment as to the value of property and a command of language that sways his audience at will. His influence as a crier seldom fails of resulting in good fig- ures for the goods disposed of and his re numeration for this work alone has been quite liberal, almost as much in fact as the income from his regular business.

Since engaging in handling cement Mr. Coulson has steadily enlarged his business and within the last few years has put down over six mile of sidewalk, besides an almost equal volume of work on private premises in tbe city. Personally he is a very affable gentleman, warm hearted and kind, indeed, a "bale fellow well met" among his many friends and acquaintances in Hartford City and the county of Blackford. His daily life is such as to win and retain strong friend¬ ships and his record as an honorabh up¬ right business man is without stain or blem¬ ish.

Mr. Coulson was married on the 28th day of April, 1878, to Miss Feenie Crozier, daughter of Louis and Lydia (Histon) Crozier, and his home is made bright by the presence therein of one child, a sou, Rollin M., whose birth occurred December 14, 1882.

John M. Bonham

Among the pioneer families of Blackford count v few are as widely and favorably known as the Bonhams, whose arrival marks a very early date in the history of w hat is. now Washington township. Peter Bonham, the first of the name to locate in Blackford county, was born in 1798 in Virginia, and when a small hoy was taken by his parents to Perry county, Ohio, where he grew to ma¬ turity. He then married Susannah Yost, also a native of Perry county, where her birth occurred about the year 1800, and be¬ came the father of the following children :

Isaac, Nicholas, Lyman, Naomi, who mar¬ ried William McAllister; George W., Will¬ iam A., Frances M., and Marv C.. who mar¬ ried George Mincer. In February, 1837. Peter Bonham came with his family to Blackford county and settled cm a farm in Washington township, where they lived many years. The first dwelling occupied by the family was a diminutive log cabin of the most primitive pattern, with puncheon floor, the doors being made of rough clapboards, while light was admitted into the single room through greased paper. This structure served for a shelter for about ten years, when it was replaced by a hewed-log house of en¬ larged proportions, which in turn gave place to one of the first frame buildings ever erected in the township of Washington. This edifice was plastered but never painted, and in it Peter Bonham departed this life on the 23d day of December, 1859. His wife sur¬ vived him a number of years, having died in October, 1887, at the age of eighty-seven years.

George W. Bonham, fifth child of the above Peter, was bom in Washington town¬ ship and there grew to manhood on his fa¬ ther's farm, attending meanwhile the differ¬ ent subscription schools, in which he obtained a limited education. December 22, 1854, he married Nancy J. Lenon, who was born September 15, 1831, the daughter of James and Susannah (Steele) Lenon. She bore him children as follows : John M., horn Feb¬ ruary 24, 1857; Mary S., born September 6, 1859. married Samuel C. Hackney, of Hartford City; George H., born March j 7. 1864; Cora L., born May 26, 1868, and Sarah E., whose birth occurred March 2fi, 1871. Mrs. Bonham was a native of Mus¬ kingum county, Ohio, and came with her parents to Blackford county, Indiana, in

1851, settling' on farm in Washington town¬ ship. Her father was the son of Thomas Lenon, an Irish immigrant, and her mother, Susannah Steele, before marriage was the daughter of Joseph and Nancy Stc He, early settlers of Muskingum county, Ohio, where their deaths occurred. Janies Lenon died in Blackford county in the year 1870.

George \V. Bonham enlisted in the late Civil war September 30, 1864, and was as¬ signed to Company D. Fortieth Indiana In¬ fantry. He joined his regiment at Colum¬ bia, Tennessee, and his first engagement was at Spring Hill, his second battle being at Franklin , Tennessee. T I is regiment was on the left flank skirmish line when attacked at Franklin and retreated to Nashville, takingpart in the battle there. They followed the rebels to Huntsville, Alabama, thence to Knoxville, repairing the railroad between Huntsville and Knoxville. He received his discharge at Nashville, Tennessee, June 16, 1865, when he returned to his home in Wash¬ ington township, where he afterward devoted his time to his farm.

Mr. Bonham was one of the county's most highly respected citizens and pioneer residents, having until the last six months of his life resided in Washington township sin< 1837. Having accumulated sufficient wealth to make his old age comfortable, he moved to Hartford City, where he proposed to spend his remaining days in retirement and ease, but this was cut short by the mes¬ senger of death, who summoned him from earthly scenes on the 7th day of May, 1900, at the age of sixty-eight.

John M. Bonham, oldest child of George W. and Nancy Bonham, was born on the old homestead in Washington township February 24, 1857, and when of sufficient ace entered the district schools, where he pursued the common branches of learning until becoming a student in the county nor¬ mal school a few years prior t* > attaining his majority. At !he ag* fl twenty-one he became a teacher and fi wowed that useiul vocation during the interim between 1878 and 1888, and earned the reputation of be¬ ing an able instructor. In the meantime he turned his attention to politics and in 1888 was elected by the Democratic party county recorder, entering upon the discharge of as official functions August 17th of the year following. After serving a term of four years and acquitting himself satis¬ factorily to the people of tl county, he be¬ came interested in real estate transactions and the insurance business and effected a co¬ partnership in the same with John P. Me- Gcath and James A. Trant, under the firm name of McGeath, Bonham & Trant. This partnership was maintained until 19. 0, when Mr. McGeath withdrew, since which time the business has been conducted in the name of Bonham & Trant, with a well appointed office in the Campbell block. This firm is well known in business circles throughout central Indiana and the business, already quite large, is being gradually extended, the firm of Bon¬ ham & Trant standing at the head in matters of real estate transfers and insurance in Hartford City.

Mr. Bonham is a member of Blackford Lodge, No. 135, K. of P., in which he has been called to fill the offices of vice chancellor and prelate, and his name is also found upon the records of Lodge No. 4962, Modern Woodmen of America. In addition to those two orders he is also identified with local lodge No. 1502, K. O. T. M., and for a num¬ ber of years he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

plary habits, honest and industrious, and his influence has ever been exerted in behalf of that which marks for the public good. I le is deeply interested in the material growth of his city . id has done not a little in inducing the investment of capital in its real estate, thus influencing the settlement of a substan¬ tial class of people and otherwise promoting a superior order of citizenship. He is a credit to a creditable and highly respected ancestry and by no act or conduct of his has anything ever been done to reflect upon or tarnish the good name which the Bonham ' amily have long enjoyed among the people of Blackford.

Mr. Bonham is a married man and the father of one child, Lillie Margarie, whose birth occurred on the 29th of January, 1S99. The maiden name of Mrs. Bonham was Leota McGeath, daughter of John P. and Sarah (Bales) McGeath, and the ceremony vo h united her to - her husband was sol¬ emnized on the 29th day of December, 1897. She also belongs to the Methodist church and is alive to all the good work done by the congregation worshipping in Hartford City.

Ralph B. Reasoner

Ralph Bernard Reasoner, assistant super¬ intendent of the Fort Wayne Gas Company, is the son of Jacob M. and Emma (Willman) Reasoner and a native of Blackford county, Indiana, born July 19, 1876, in Hart¬ ford City. After obtaining a preliminary education in the public schools of the city, which he attended during his youth and early manhood, he became a student of Purdue

University, LaFayettc, where he pursued the higher branches for a period of three years. At the end of that time he discontinued his studies and entered the employ of the Fori Wayne Gas Company as field superintend¬ ent, the duties of which position he dis¬ charged until promoted to timekeeper in June, 1896.

Mr. Reasoner continued in the latter ca¬ pacity until 1899, in March of which year he became assistant superintendent of the company and has successfully discharged the functions incident thereto to the present time. He was married, November 24, 1898, to Miss Cora Crannell, the issue of which union is one child, a daughter, Helen, whose birth occurred on the 21st day of September, [899.

On March 3, 1899, Mr. Reasoner became a member of Lodge No. 50, Iv. O. T. M., and for some years, has been identified with the Presbyterian church, to which religious body his wife also belongs. Mr. Reasoner belongs to one of the oldest and most influ¬ ential families of Blackford county and the name has been inseparably connected with the growth and development of the country from a very early day. His life has been in harmony with the high standard of man¬ hood sustained by his ancestors, and hu repu¬ tation as an upright, p gressive and in¬ telligent citizen has won for him a prominent place in the esteem of the people of both city a id county. He is a gentleman of more than ordinary mental capacity, fitted natural¬ ly for business and scholarly pursuits, hav¬ ing, as already noted, been successful in the former as manager and general overseer of a large and important enterprise.

His long' connection with the company by which he is now employed shows him to possess business ability of a high order, and the management of its large interests dem¬ onstrates carefully laid plans and superior executive force. Socially his standing in Hartford City has long been assured; he is widely respected as a courteous, kind hearted, generous man, of perfect integrity and true moral worth, and his iutluence has ever been exerted for that which tends to the general good and the advancement of a high order of citizenship.

Moses H. Robbins

Moses Hamlin Robbins, superintendent of the Peoples Gas Company, was born Oc¬ tober 5, 1846, in the town of Abbington, Wayne county, Indiana, and is the son of J. C. arid Sarah (Fender) Robbins. When quite young he was taken by his parents to Ohio where his youthful years were passed and in the district schools of that state he received his preliminary educadon.

Mr. Robbins remained under the parental roof until attaining his majority and in Jan¬ uary, 1863, responded to the coiuUry's call for volunteers by enlisting in Company G, Eighth Ohio Cavalry, with which he served for some time in Virginia. He took part in a number of campaigns and battles, including Hunter's raid, the two days' fight at Lynch¬ burg, the engagements at Liberty, Bulls Gap and Beverly, 1 csides a number of skir¬ mishes, in all of which his record was that of a brave and gallant defender of the na¬ tion's honor. In one battle he received a slight wound in the shoulder, the ball pass¬ ing the entire length of his coat sleeve and

After his discharge Mr. Robbins returned to Ohio and became a student of the Union City high school, where he pursued his studies for some time, and later entered the employ of a machinist in which capacity he continued for a period of about one year. Finding mechanics not to his liking, he abandoned the same and for some time there¬ after worked in a telegraph office under Thomas Fletcher, train dispatcher at Union City. Later he took the road for Charles Gardner and subsequently was engaged for two years engaged in railroad work with headquarters at Union City.

Severing his connection with the road, Mr. Robbins next engaged in the mercantile business in Union City, where for a period of two years he carried on the grocery busi¬ ness in which his success was financially en¬ couraging*. Disposing of his store in the above place, he went to Kendall vihe, Indiana, and opened a gents' furnishing store, in addi¬ tion to which he also carried a stock of boots and shoes, devoting to these lines of mer¬ chandising seven years. At the end of that time he embarked in business in Hartford City manufacturing and handling brick and tile, and was thus engaged from 1882 till 1892. The meantime, 1891, Mr. Robbins accepted a position with the Peoples Gas Company of Hartford City, the duties of which he discharged in connection with his mercantile interests, but in 1896 lie disposed of his business and has since devoted his en¬ tire attention to the company with which he is identified. lie holds the responsible posi¬ tion of superintendent of the company, in addition to which the secretaryship is also in his immediate charge. 1 1 is management has been characterized by ability of a high order

Tiie Biographical Record

Mr. Robbins was married, on the 13th day of October, 1867, to Miss Sarah M. Stewart, daughter of Marsh Stewart, of Randolph county, Indiana, a union blessed with the birth of the foliowing children: Clara, wife of Joseph Bowman; Charles E. ; Mabel, wife of Lora Brown; Grace V., mar¬ ried Howard Collans; Archie S. and Nettie.

The Peoples Gas Company, of which Mr. Robbins is now the leading spirit, has a history dating from 1 89, at which time it was organized with tli olio wing members : Zadoc Williams, S. S. Carroll, Philip Covault, William Spence, Fred M. Campbell and B. M. Boyd. The officers at this time are : J. P. Will man, president ; Clark Stewart, vice-president; J. A. Newbauer,' treasurer, and M. H. Robbins, secretary and superin¬ tendent. Additional to the above, j. H. Rhoades, Frank Fordney and George P. Ayres are also directors in the company.

As a business man Mr. Robbins occu¬ pies a commendable standing in Hartford City and as manager of the above trust his record has been highly creditable to himself and satisfactory to the company. As a cit¬ izen he is highly regarded, being public spir¬ ited, and his name is invariably connected v. ith any and all enterprises having tor their object the advancement of Hartford City's business interests. He is an affable gentle¬ man. easily approachable, and has a large circle. of friends in this and other places where he has resided.

Blackford county, Indiana, on the 25th day of April, 1872. In the public school , which he attended quite regular!) during the years of his minority, he obtained a good practical education, and at the age of twentv left the parental roof and engaged in the pursuits of agriculture, which he followed with fair suc¬ cess until 1894. In the fall of that year Mr. Wood became deputy comity treasurer under his father and continued to discharge the duties of the position until the latter part of 1896, when he took charge of his father's grocery business in this city, conducting the same for a period of two years.

Severing his connection with merchan¬ dising, Mr. Wood was appointed deputy county clerk of Blackford comity, the duties of which position he has discharged in an eminently satisfactory manner since Au¬ gust, 1897. Mr. Wood is well fitted for the responsible place with which he has been entrusted. As is well known, the office re¬ quires a clear brain, sound judgment and clerical ability of a high order, all of which he possesses in a marked degree, as is evi¬ denced by the excellent records he has kept and the efficiency and dispatch with which i le routine business has been transacted.. He enjoys the confidence of his superiors and also of the court, is kind and obliging to all having business with the office, and among the officials and clerks in the court house none is more popular or stands higher in the estimation of the people. His faith¬ fulness and efficiency in subordinate capaci¬ ties, together with a wide acquaintance throughout the county, have given rise to the prediction that the future awaits him with a still more responsible and remunera¬ tive position, the direct gift of the people.

Levi Win Klebleck

Levi Winklebleck, minister of the Ger¬ man Baptist or Dunkard church, and manu¬ facturer of and dealer in hardwood lumber and timber, the head of the firm of Winklebleck & Waters, or Hartford City, Indiana, is one of the most prominent and influential men of this section of the state. The firm of which he is a member employs about fif¬ teen men and teams and has about five thou¬ sand dollars invested in the business, which amounts to about fifteen thousand dollars per year. J makes a specialty of railroad material, such as ties, bridge timber and timber for tracks. While most of the busi¬ ness of the firm consists of buying and pre¬ paring for consumption timber standing in the woods, yet it buys logs to a considerable extent. It pays out for material not less than ten thousand dollars per year, and about five thousand dollars for labor. The com¬ pany's mill has a capacity of ten thousand feet per day, and the work done is wholly to order. White oak and burr oak arc the most valuable varieties of timber in this sec¬ tion of the state and of course are the varie¬ ties most in use.

Mr. Winklebleck has been identified with this line of work nearly all of his life, be¬ ginning when but a small boy. lie per¬ formed various kinds of work in the woods up to his removal to Indiana in 1881, when he. settled in Hartford City to oversee men for his brother, who was a contractor. In about one year he took a contract with the ban Handle Railway Company to cut lies Jor the trestles between Hartford City and Marion, buying the tics to the number of five thousand per month, continuing at this work about ten years, there being material for the ties along the line of the road. For him this was a most prosperous period, but he was unable to continue in this line of work, so took hold of that in which he has since been engaged. He erected the present mill in 1893, and in 1898 admitted Charles Waters to partnership, the firm name then becoming Winklebleck & Waters, as it still remains.

Mr. Winklebleck was born in Darke county, Ohio, and there spent his boyhood days, at least until he was twelve years of age. He then, as has been intimated above, went to work among tie and timber men and became the support of his widowed mother, his father having died when he was four years of age. After he removed to Hartford City his mother lived with him for some years, but is now living at I.ogansport, at the age of eighty-two. Mr. Winklebleck was married, when twenty years of age, to Miss Catherine O. Waters, a daughter of Lawrence and Eve Waters, of Hartford City. Miss Waters was born in Blackford county. Her father was a Frenchman, by trade a blacksmith, of Muncie, Indiana, and died about eight years ago, at the age of ninety-five. He left his home in Canada in order to avoid becoming a Catholic priest. In the later years of his life he united with the German Baj ;t church, of which he re¬ mained a member to the last. He was one of the oldest residents of this part of Indi¬ ana, was a well known character and is re¬ membered by most of the inhabitants of the county. His son, Charles, is the youngest, of the family.

'f'lic family of Mr. and Mrs. Winkle¬ bleck, all of them but Edna living', are as follows: Blanche, Almeda, Edna, Margaret, llellen and Samuel II. To all of their chil¬ dren they have given or are giving' the ad¬ vantages ol a high-school education.

Mr. M'iuklebleck is a Prohibitionist and, as was stated at the beginning; a minister of the Dunkard church. The manner of his becoming so is worthy of special note. For many years he had led a somewhat reckless life, being frequently under the influence of liquor. At length his good common sense so asserted itself that he saw clearly the ne¬ cessity for a change if his life was not to be¬ come a complete wreck and failure. He be¬ gan earnestly to search the Scriptures and soon decided to join the church teaching the doctrines which corresponded most nearly with his own views. His resolve was quite a sudden one, as leaving a saloon he drove ten miles to Eaton, Indiana, and joined the church near that place at the end of his jour¬ ney. At once he became active in the work of the church and interested other friends to unite with him in organizing the church at Hartford City, of which he was the first mem¬ ber. Meetings were held and soon a church society organized, Mr. Winklebleck being chosen minister. This event took place about eighteen months after his conversion, the society having been organized about nine months before. ever since that time he has continued as minister. His work has re¬ sulted in the organization of another church, the one at Hartford City having forty-seven members and that at Bethel Center, one and a half miles to the west, having sixty-eight. Nearly all of the members of the two churches have united therewith as a result of the home agitation. Each society lias a church building of its own and each is out of debt. Mr. Winklebleck is presiding elder of both churches and there are lour young ministers who have grown up in the church and give promise of usefulness. Me at¬ tends both the district and annual confer¬ ences and has been a delegate to the - vicral conference at such times as the ch h has been represented therein. Mr. Winklebleck is a shining example of what a man can make of himself with ability, correct princi¬ ple and the right spirit, and he is one of the most highly respected of the citizens of the county in which he resides.

Fi. C. Mount

Henry Clay Mount was born in New York City August 26, 1867. He lived in that city with his parents until be reached the age of fourteen, when be left home to see what the world had in store for him. Naturally a bright and intelligent boy, he had no trouble, seemingly, in securing a po¬ sition as page in the national house of rep¬ resentatives, at Washington, an employment congenial, and in which lie soon became a gen¬ eral favorite with the members. Spending two years in this employment, during the forty-seventh and forty-eighth congressional sessions, 1881-82-83, he left the national capital and drifted back to his native city, different classe; of employment occupying his time for several years. He was in the government appraisers' office for some time, and later with Grattan & Jennings, railroad contractors, for whom he sup ^intended the building of the New York, Lake Erie & Western depot at Port Jerv's, the junction point of three states. New York, Pennsvlvania and New Jersey. This class of cm- ploy men t was to his liking and he remained one year with the railroad contractors, his services generallv iving entire satisfaction to his employers. opportunity offering to secure a more o lucrative position with 1. E. Crimmins. he accepted and reiiiaincd with the last named party during the con¬ struction of the third avenue cable road in New \ork city, this occupying considerable time. He resigned upon the completion of the road and took a position with Millikan Brothefs, contractors and builders, of New York city, as superintendent of construction, and 1892 was assigned to the building of the Moreland tin plate works at Gas City, Indiana, ir. .ugurating almost the inception of the tin plate industry in the United States. Acquitting himself creditably of this important piece of work in February, 1893, resigned from bus posits si with the contracting firm and having become favora¬ bly impressed with Indiana, lie decided to embark in the real estate business in Gas City. This portion of the Hoosier state was then in a genuine boom, and especially in the real estate business was there much of promise held forth to the young man seek¬ ing an opening for his abilities. Mr. Mount launched into trade with characteristic en¬ ergy, acquired control of numerous valuable pieces of property, and had his business in full swing and fairly in a way to net him good returns for his labors, when there came a revolution in the conditions, due to the ap¬ proaching of the financial troubles of 1893. Business of all kinds became demoralized as a result of the financial stringency and Mr. Mount suffered in common with the others. So complete was the collapse in his case that lie allowed matters to go by the board and decided to turn his attention to other chan¬ nels. Ohio was producing a great deal of