USA > Indiana > Delaware County > A twentieth century history of Delaware County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54
A TWENTIETH CENTURY
HISTORY
OF
DELAWARE COUNTY INDIANA
ILLUSTRATED
G. W. H. KEMPER, M. D. EDITOR
VOLUME II
CHICAGO THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY I908
1390211
1
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
JOHN C. JOHNSON. For twenty years the late John C. Johnson was a resident of Muncie, to the progress of which he was a large contributor. He came to the city in 1884 and became an interested partner in the lumber and saw-milling business of the firm of A. L. Johnson & Company, at the same time manifesting a keen interest in public affairs.
In reviewing the career of this successful business man and prominent citizen, as he was, we note that he was a native of the state of New York, born on the 21st of May, 1843, in Albany county, his parents being Henry I. and Eliza (Ferguson) Johnson, who were also natives of the Empire State. The father, who was an agriculturist, resided in New York until 1864, when he moved to Ashtabula, Ohio, and in 1881 came with his family to Muncie, Indiana.
When the subject of this review was seven years of age his parents removed from Albany county, New York, to Herkimer county, that state, where he received a fair common-school education. At the age of seventeen years he enlisted in the Union Army, Company K, Forty-fourth New York, known as the "Ellsworth Avengers," and served one year. On account of a wound received at the battle of Hanover Court House Mr. Johnson was sent first to Albany, New York, and from there to Lexington Avenue Hospital, in New York city, from . hich he was discharged after recovery. Entering the quartermaster's de artment at City Point, Virginia, under Captain C. E. Jones, he remains . in that capacity until the close of the war. He had laid aside school books to render service in defense of the Union, and now having returned from the battle front with an honorable discharge he again entered the school room, for two years attending an academy for boys at Albany, New York, and then took a course at Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College. For some fifteen years thereafter he was in the employ of H. W. Sage & Company and others of Albany, his occupation being that of a clerk and bookkeeper. During that time he obtained a thorough knowledge of the lumber business in all its departments.
In 1882 Mr. Johnson removed to Bridgeport, Connecticut, there organizing the Bridgeport Lumber Company, and was its secretary and treasurer. In 1884, selling his interest therein, he came to Muncie, and it was then that he became associated with his brother, A. L. Johnson, by
544
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
purchasing an interest in the A. L. Johnson & Company lumber firm, which for several years did an extensive business. But Mr. Johnson's activities were not confined alone to this firm. for he was an organizer of the Muncie Skewer Company. He was also a stockholder in the Indiana Bridge Company and the Live Poultry Car Company, and was extensively interested in real estate, especially in the Johnson and McCulloch additions to the city of Muncie. He was also connected with the banking interests of this city, holding stock in several financial institutions of this city, and at the time of his death was president of the Delaware County National Bank. He was one of the promoters and was president of the Commercial Club of Muncie for many years.
Politically Mr. Johnson was a Republican, though he never sought political honors, but he served several years as a member of the Muncie city council. Fraternally he was a member of the Masonic Order, chapter and commandery, and also held membership relations with the George S. Dawson Post, No. 63. G. A. R., of Albany, New York. For many years he was an active member of the First Presbyterian church of Muncie, in which he served as a trustee, as an elder, and was a member of the building committee that erected the present fine edifice of the congregation in this city. For many years he was a member of the State Street Presbyterian church of Albany, New York.
On the 26th of October, 1870, Mr. Johnson married Miss Martha J. Hutchinson, a daughter of David and Mary (Chambers) Hutchinson, of Albany, New York. But one child was born to them, Mary E. Mr. Johnson passed away on the 13th of December, 1904, when past sixty-one years of age. His had been a successful business career, characterized by honest dealing with his fellow-men, and he had lived the life of a public- spirited citizen and an upright, dignified Christian gentleman. In the hearts and esteem of his fellow-citizens he was endeared, and in his domestic relations he was kind, affectionate and thoughtful. ever mindful of the welfare and happiness of his wife and daughter, who survive him.
The esteem in which 1 C. Johnson was held by his business associates is best shown by the f "owing tribute, taken from the Record Book of the Delaware County National Bank: "J. C. Johnson became connected with this bank July 11, 1896, at which time he was elected a director and president, serving continually as such until his death, which occurred suddenly December 13, 1904, of apoplexy, at his residence in this city.
"Ile filled the position assigned him with entire satisfaction to all concerned. As presiding officer of the board of directors he was always courteous and considerate to all members, being careful in his deliberations and possessed of a well-balanced character. He was generous and liberal in his views as a citizen, public-spirited and ever ready to assist in all enterprises to benefit the city or the people among whom he had lived. His deeds of charity, both public and private, were unnumbered. Truly it may be recorded that he held no ill-will against a soul on earth.
545
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTS
"In his passing to the Great Beyond, it is possible no circle of friends will feel the loss more intensely than the officers, directors and employees of this bank, with whom he was daily associated, and we all desire to extend to the family our deepest sympathy in their sad affliction.
"In conclusion-
"Let us all strive to emulate his example and reverence the memory of his many virtues."
ABBOTT L. JOHNSON. In the history of Muncie's manufacturing interests. A. L. Johnson is one of the very few whose activity in an important way goes back to the years before the natural gas boom. Having identified. himself with the lumber business and manufacturing while Muncie was a city of five thousand people, he has remained here during the subsequent quarter of a century. and the history of this period records his name and influence in connection with every important public undertaking by which the welfare of Muncie has been promoted. Having a prosperous business of his own at the time natural gas was discovered, he at once joined in the public-spirited movement to secure outside capital and enterprise for Muncie, and was actively connected with all the organizations during the early years of Muncie's industrial boom, including the Enterprise Company, the Real Estate Exchange, and later the board of trade. . In the history of the last quarter century of Muncie, elsewhere in this work, Mr. Johnson's name is often mentioned with the events of that period, and in this sketch of his career it is necessary only to summarize the main facts of his life.
The family has been resident of Muncie since ISSI, when the parents, Henry I. and Eliza (Ferguson) Johnson, who were both natives of New York state, came to this city, where the father lived until his death in 1881. The father was a farmer, but had lived retired in Ashtabula, Ohio, from 1864 until coming to Muncie. Abbott L. Johnson was born in Herkimer county, New York, August 26, 1852, and spent most of his youth in Ashtabula, where he attended the public schools. His first experience in business was with a bent-wood works at Ashtabula, and in 1873, at the age of twenty-one, he was sent to Bluffton, Indiana, to erect machinery and put into operation the bent-wood works which was later acquired by J. H. Smith & Company, and a few years 1- . er moved to Muncie. Mr. Johnson moved to Montpelier, where he remaine two years, having formed a partnership with J. T. Arnold in conductin« an extensive lumber business, under the firm name of A. L. Johnson & Company. This firm established business in Muncie in 1878, and in this way Mr. Johnson became connected with Muncie both as a business man and as a resident. In 1883, in company with W. E. Hitchcock (now president of the Delaware County National Bank), he began the manufacture of skewers, and for many years this enterprise has been an important factor of Muncie's industrial resources. In 1885 Mr. Johnson entered into an active partnership with his brother, the late J. C. Johnson, and together they conducted their lumber and other interests for many years.
546
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
With the development of Muncie after the gas boom, Mr. Johnson extended his connection to many other important interests. He is a stockholder of the Muncie Waterworks Company. In the real estate development of Muncie, he is known as the owner of Johnson's first and second additions, and is also interested in Gray's addition, which is one of the best in Muncie. Mr. Johnson is a man of active and progressive citizenship, and as a member of the older group of successful business men is closely identified with the life and affairs of Muncie. His residence on East Washington street is one of the stately and elegant homes of Muncie. In social affairs and the various movements in the interest of culture and practical philanthropy he and his family have taken an active part. He is a prominent Mason, being a member of chapter, commandery, Mystic Shrine and Scottish Rite. The family are members of the Baptist church, in which he has served as deacon and trustee. Mr. Johnson married, in 1872, Miss Florence Merriman, a daughter of Charles Merriman, of Ashtabula, Ohio.
HARRY R. WYSOR. Many years have passed since the Wysor family became identified with the interests of Delaware county, and its various members have won for the name an enviable distinction by their true worth of character. One of the most important factors in the upbuilding of Muncie was Jacob H. Wysor, the father of Harry, who was connected with many of its leading enterprises, and at all times was a public-spirited, progressive citizen, whose support was never withheld from measures that advanced the public welfare. He was born in Montgomery county, Virginia, December 6, 1819, of German ancestry, his father dying before his birth, and he was an only child. In 1835 he came to Delaware county, Indiana, where he received an excellent education, and in time became one of its foremost business men. In 1841 he embarked in the grocery and dry goods business at Muncie, and although many obstacles barred his path to success, his indomitable energy and perseverance enabled him to surmount them all, and with the passing years prosperity rewarded his efforts. In 1843 he turned his attention to the milling business, but in 1849 the glittering gold fields of California lured him to the Pacific coast, and, abandoning his business, joined the rush thither, meeting with many adventures in his journeyings and in his search for the precious metal, and finally returned to his home in Muncie in 1852. Two years later, in partnership with John Jack, Mr. Wysor built the large grist mill which has ever since been one of Muncie's leading institutions, and after the death of his partner in 1858 the firm's name remained the same until 1868, when it became known as Wysor & Kline. As his wealth increased he employed it in the upbuilding and development of the city's interests, dealing largely in land. In 1872 he erected the Wysor opera house, while just twenty years later, in 1892, the Wysor Grand was built by him, and this is one of the finest theaters in this section of the state. Thus many of the finest buildings and leading institutions of Muncie stand as monuments to the wonderful ability of this grand old man, whom death claimed in 1905.
for Se Sefler
١
549
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
His memory is enshrined in the hearts of those who knew him. In his early manhood he married Sarah Richardson, also a native of the Old Dominion of Virginia.
Harry R. Wysor, a son of this honored Muncie couple, was born in this city on the 18th of April, 1858, and received an excellent educational training in its public schools and the Smithson College of Logansport. With his education completed he became associated with the Wysor & Hibbets Milling Company, while in 1881 he took charge of the old opera house, and now owns and manages the Wysor Grand. In addition he owns the Wysor Block, completed in 1906, and it is one of the finest business blocks in eastern Indiana. He ably superintends the many interests of his father. His business career thus far on the journey of life has also been crowned with success. He has made good use of his opportunities, conducting all business matters carefully and systematically, and at the same time he takes an active interest in the welfare of his native city and the city which his father was so instrumental in developing. He served as a member of its city council from 1885 to 1888, and from 1882 until 1884 was a member of its school board.
In 1884 Mr. Wysor was united in marriage to Miss Jennie, a daughter of William Kemper, of Muncie, and they have two daughters, Sarah and Mary. Mr. Wysor has fraternal relations with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Independent Order of Red Men and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
JUDGE J. G. LEFFLER, a prominent attorney of Muncie, and well known throughout this section of the state in connection with his profession, is one of Delaware county's native sons, born in Hamilton township on the 26th of December, 1864, a son of Philip and Mary (Garick) Leffler, both of whom were born in Ohio. They were, however, brought to Indiana by their families when children, the mother dying when her son, the Judge, was but a little lad of four years. Mr. Philip Leffler, as did his father, also named Philip, followed the tilling of the soil as a life occupation, the elder Mr. Leffler having purchased large tracts of land from the government, and in addition to its cultivation carried on the tanner's trade. He was very successful in his business operations, and both he and his son became prominent in the early life of their section of the Hoosier state. Mr. Leffler, the father of the Judge, was an active worker in the ranks of the Republican party, and served as a loyal and faithful soldier in the Civil war from 1863 until the close of the conflict.
Judge Leffler was reared as a farmer's boy, receiving his primary education in the district schools near his home, this being later supplemented by attendance at the Danville Normal, but he is largely self-educated. At the age of eighteen years he began teaching, spending four years in the Center school of Hamilton township, and in 1884 entered upon the study of the profession which he had determined as his life occupation, his first legal reading being under the instructions of W. W. Orr and J. E. Mellette.
550
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
Four years later, in 1888, he was admitted to the bar, and at once came to the front in his profession, for no dreary novitiate awaited him, and from that time to the present his name has been inseparably interwoven with the legal profession in Delaware county. In 1890 the Republican party, of which he has ever been an active and efficient worker, made him the county prosecuting attorney, to which office he was returned in 1892, and later was elected to the high position of circuit judge, being its present incumbent.
In 1890 the Judge was united in marriage to Laura, a daughter of Joseph Emerson. His fraternal relations connect Judge Leffler with the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Red Men, and he is also a member of the Sons of Veterans, while his religious affiliations are with the Baptist church, of which he is a valued member. Although in the main self-educated, he is a scholarly man, profound lawyer, an able judge, and is an unassuming, genial and popular citizen.
THE BALL BROTHERS GLASS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, like most of our largest manufacturing concerns, was started in a small way, and has been built up by hard work and untiring energy.
The five brothers, founders and present owners of the business, Ed- mund B., Frank C., William C., Lucius L. and George A., were all born on a farm in Trumbull county, Ohio. While they were all young their father moved to Canandaigua, New York state, where he engaged in the mercantile business and where at the academy they all received their edu- cation. Soon after their father's death they all moved to Buffalo and started into the manufacturing of sheet metal specialties, which, in time, called for the use of large quantities of glass, which for a time they pur- chased in the market. Being unable to get satisfactory service in their purchases, as their demand grew they decided to make the glass them- selves, and so erected a furnace in Buffalo, and were operating it when natural gas was first discovered in Ohio and Indiana. Appreciating the advantage that the gas for fuel would be to them. they built at Muncie a furnace, which they ran for awhile as a branch of their Buffalo plant. but gradually they removed one department after another of the Buffalo plant to Muncie and finally abandoned the Buffalo factory entirely. They rapidly increased the capacity of the Munice plant and then acquired plants at other points, so they are now operating factories at Marion, In- diana, Belleville, Illinois, and Coffeyville, Kansas,
The "Ball-Mason" fruit jar, known throughout the whole country, is made in all of these plants, and is shipped into every jobbing city in the union and many exported to foreign countries. As many as IIO,- 000,000 of these jars are turned out by this company in a single season, giving employment to 2,500 people.
A. F. PATTERSON. In the death of A. F. Patterson Muncie lost one of its founders and most valued citizens. What he did for his fellow-men might, in a manner, be told in words, but in its far-reaching influence
551
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
cannot be measured. Many business concerns and moral enterprises owe their excellence and progress largely to his influence. He was in touch with the people, and from a sincere and deep-felt interest in their welfare labored for all that would prove of public benefit until the busy and useful life was ended.
A native of Bracken county, Kentucky, born in 1822, he in 1831, when a little lad of nine years, removed with his father, Anderson Patterson, to Clearmont county, Ohio, locating on a farm near the old General Grant homestead, and there the little son developed and grew to sturdy manhood. In 1838 he entered upon a three years' apprenticeship at the tinsmith's trade, later removing to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he served a year at copper and bright work, and then during the following three years was employed as a journeyman. About this time Mr. Patterson engaged in business on Front street. Cincinnati, establishing the firm of Patterson & Conley, which continued to transact a large and important business until a fire destroyed their plant in 1847. Their insurance had expired the day previous, and thus everything was lost, their loss amounting to about five thousand dollars. After all debts were paid Mr. Patterson went to St. Louis, there to begin anew the battle of life, and on the 15th of May, 1850, having accumulated eight hundred dollars from his hard-earned savings in St. Louis, came to Muncie and invested his capital, at the same time establishing the firm of Patterson & Sample, his partner being Charles P. Sample, and under their skillful management their interests grew and branched out until in 1855 they purchased the Neal Mccullough hardware store, reorganizing it and enlarging the hardware department, also adding farm implements of all kinds. With the passing years they became very successful in their ventures, and in 1867 they sold their store to George Seitz, and, going to Indianapolis, fornred a company and erected a large blast furnace at Brazil, Indiana, Mr. Patterson superintending the construction of the plant, also sunk a coal shaft and built two miles of railroad, having during that time four hundred men under his direct supervision. After one and a half years had passed, however, he and Mr. Sample returned to Muncie, repurchasing the stock of Mr. Seitz, and they continued in the business until the death of Mr. Sample in 1873, while in the following year Mr. Patterson sold his interest in the business to Mr. Shirk and embarked in the brokerage and private banking business in partnership with Theodore J. Riley. After the latter's death Mr. Patterson devoted his attention to his real estate interests, building, developing, etc., and to his untiring efforts Muncie is largely indebted for much of her present prosperity. He held a high position in business circles in the community for many years, and his activity in that direction justly entitles him to be numbered among the founders of the city, for it is those who promote commercial and industrial activity who are the real builders of a place.
In 1855 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Patterson and Samantha
-
552
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
Collier, a daughter of Samuel R. Collier, a well-known citizen of Delaware county, and two children bless this union. The daughter, Cora P., is the wife of George F. McCullouch. Although Mr. Patterson has passed away, many pleasant memories of him are enshrined in the hearts of his friends, and his influence for good remains with those who knew him.
GEORGE H. Koos. The ancestors of George H. Koons emigrated from North Carolina to Indiana at an early day. They were farmers, honest, thrifty, and hospitable, possessing the common virtues of that class.
George H. Koons was born in Blue River township, Henry county, Indiana, April 2, 1848. He is the son of Peter and Catherine (Rinard) Koons, and the eldest of a family of seven. His boyhood days were spent at home on the farm. His education was begun in the district schools and continued in the New Castle Academy and later in the Indiana University at Bloomington. He taught in the country schools during the winter while yet a student in the New Castle Academy. After completing his course of study there he accepted the position of superintendent of the schools of Middletown, Henry county, Indiana, where he demonstrated his thoroughness and capacity as an instructor and superintendent, raised the standard of the schools and made them a pronounced success. He read law with Brown and Polk, attorneys at New Castle, afterward entering the law department of the State University, from which, in a class of thirty-three, he graduated with honors, receiving his degree of LL. B. in 1871.
After leaving the university he continued the study of law under the instruction and guidance of Hon. Jehu T. Elliot at New Castle for a time, and then began the practice of law in Middletown, Henry county. In 1874 he removed to Muncie, where he has since lived practicing his profession, with the exception of six years, during which time he served as judge of the Delaware circuit court. He is ranked among the best lawyers of the state. His success was not immediate, but came as a result of patient industry, painstaking, intelligent effort.
In politics he is a Republican, with decidedly liberal and independent proclivities. He never in any way encouraged nor countenanced corrupt methods in politics and has steadfastly condemned all corrupt uses of money, often expressing the view that "the corruption of the ballot is a traitorous crime for which there is neither excuse nor palliation." In 1880 he was a candidate for the nomination by his party for the state legislature, but was defeated by the Hon. John W. Ryan. In 1892 he defeated the Hon. James N. Templer at the Republican primary election for the nomination of judge of the Delaware circuit court of Indiana, and was elected to that office, in which he served from 1892 to 1898, discharging his official duties with the diligence, ability, courage and dignity expected of him. Hle ranked high as a judge. Being conscientious in devotion to duty and just in judgment his decisions were well considered and rarely reversed. Ile declined to
Geo AKoons
----
555
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
accept "railroad passes" and never used nor traveled on one. He was defeated for renomination by the Hon. Joseph G. Leffler, the present incumbent. Since his retirement from the bench he has been diligently engaged in the practice of law in the circuit, appellate and supreme courts of the state, and in the federal courts. He has long been recognized as an able advocate and wise counsellor.
He is a man of broad humanitarian views, thoroughly democratic in bearing, and in close sympathy with his fellow-men, a lover of all that is noblest and best in humanity, a Unitarian in belief and deeply imbued with the philosophy and teachings of Emerson, though a regular attendant at the Universalist church of Muncie. At college he belonged to the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. He was a charter member of "The Literary and Scientific Association" of Muncie, out of which ultimately was developed the Ethical Society, of which he was for a time president. For many years he has been a member of the State Bar Association of Indiana, and is a charter member of the Muncie Bar Association and its present president.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.