USA > Indiana > Madison County > History of Madison County, Indiana : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people and its principal interests, Volume II > Part 1
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GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02308 1562
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2009 with funding from Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
http://www.archive.org/details/historyofmadison02fork
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY INDIANA
A Narrative Account of Its Historical Progress, Its People and Its Principal Interests
Compiled Under the Editorial Supervision of JOHN L. FORKNER
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY CHICAGO AND NEW YORK 1914
IAN
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1518455
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
MIRON G. REYNOLDS. In the person of Miron G. Reynolds, of Ander- son, is found another splendid example of the self-made manhood of which this country is so proud. Commencing life without advantages, working with his hands and climbing the familiar but difficult road of poverty, meeting with obstacles and overcoming them as they arose, he to-day finds himself in the ranks of Anderson's and many other cities successful business men, and as president of the Central Heating Com- pany, vice-president of the Indiana Silo Company and proprietor and manager of the Reynolds Gas Regulator Company, he is recognized as one of those who have made Anderson the city that it now is. His career has been one of great activity and uncommon success, due to abil- ity, the exercise of good judgment and the exhibition under all circum- stances of the strictest integrity. A review of his career should have something in it of a nature encouraging to the youth of to-day who is struggling to gain, without friends or fortune, a place on the ladder that leads to success and independence.
Miron G. Reynolds was born in Wayne county, Indiana, June 16. 1853, a son of Brazila and Lydia (Layton) Reynolds. The parents, natives of New Jersey, became early settlers of Indiana, locating near Williamsburg in Wayne county. The father was a millwright, and followed that trade during his life time. He was an excellent business man, and in his later years was prosperous. His was the reputation of an honorable man of affairs, and by his associates he was held in the greatest confidence.
Miron G. Reynolds received only a common school education, doing the greater part of his studying in the school of hard work. In time he began learning the blacksmith's trade in his father's carriage works plant at Williamsburg, remaining with his father until his twenty-fifth year, after which he and his brother conducted a planing mill, the young man in the meantime vainly trying to find his proper field. In 1890 he invented a gas governor, and in the same year came to Anderson in search of capital to exploit it. Capital, however, is a scarce com- modity to those who have not influential connections, but Mr. Reynolds persevered, with a faith in his ideas that would not down, and eventually secured his backer, found his market, and after his invention was tested and compared with others his future was assured. These regulators are now being used throughout the United States and many foreign countries. The Reynolds Gas Regulator Company was formed for the
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manufacturing of this article, and of this large institution Mr. Reynolds was the president and general manager, but is now the sole owner. He was also the principal organizer of the Central Heating Company, capitalized at $130,000, and which has a large plant equipped with the most modern machinery, and of this concern Mr. Reynolds is the presi- dent, a position which he has held since the company's inception. In addition he is vice-president and a large stockholder in the Indiana Silo Company, the largest enterprise of its kind in the United States. Other enterprises and ventures of Anderson have had the benefit of Mr. Reyn- old's co-operation and support, and everywhere among his associates he is looked to for guidance, counsel and leadership. No taint of dis- honesty has rested upon his record. He is positive, strong and energetic, but is tolerant of the opinions and careful of the rights of others, recog- nizing the equal liberty of all, and always willing to help those who were trying to help themselves.
In 1892 Mr. Reynolds was married to Miss Carrie B. Bousman, and there is one child of this union, Myron B. Reynolds. Mr. Reynolds has membership relations with the Knights of Pythias fraternity. His beautiful home, erected in 1910, is of brick and in point of architectural design and modern conveniences is considered one of the finest in Anderson.
NEILS P. SALLING. The largest local enterprise of Anderson is the lumber and coal business conducted under the name of N. P. Salling. The yards of this business are located on Home Avenue between Bron- nenberg and Twelfth Streets. Mr. Salling, who has the largest lumber yards and planing mills in this section of the state, furnishes to the trade all kinds of lumber, lath, shingles, sash, blinds, doors, frames, mouldings and wood turned work.
Mr. Salling is a native of Denmark, born in the city of Viborg in 1858. He is one of the men of foreign birth who came to America at the beginning of their careers, sought and found the largest opportunities of life in this new country, and though he came without capital his success has been much more generous than that of the average American born citizen.
Neils P. Salling was educated in the city and select schools of his native land, and was about thirteen years old when he came to America in 1872. His first location was at Manistee, Michigan, where he was- connected for a time with the lumber business. His association was with his uncle, E. N. Salling, a well known lumberman at Manistee, and while there he acquired the thorough experience which has enabled him successfully to handle an independent enterprise and make a success of it. In 1879 he removed to Grayling, Michigan, where he became inter- ested in the mercantile business under the firm name of Salling, Hanson & Company. For several years, Mr. Salling was in the wholesale lum- ber trade at Grayling and other parts of Michigan.
In 1899,.Mr. Salling moved to Anderson, and established his present business on April 25, of that year. From 1899 to 1903, he was exten- sively engaged in the manufacture of lumber, shingles and other lumber products. Purchasing the business of Koontz, Koontz & Lamont Cash Lumber Company, he added the planing mill and has since developed his plant in Anderson, until his yards and planing factory are the largest in this section of Indiana. His large and well selected stock of lumber is secured and protected under extensive sheds, and by that means he is
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able to supply his customers with all kinds of lumber, and have it finished in the planing mill according to the customer's specifications and wishes. In connection with his large lumber yard, he handles coal on an exten- sive scale. Mr. Salling is also interested in other lumber yards, two at Muncie, Indiana, and one at Huntington in this state. He is also a stock- holder in the Webb-Baxter Company at Anderson.
Mr. Salling married Miss Nancy Coolidge, a native of Michigan, and a daughter of Elisha W. Coolidge, a prominent lumber merchant. No children have been born to their marriage. Mr. Salling is well known as a Mason, having membership in the Manistee Lodge No. 258, A. F. & A. M., at Manistee ; Chapter No. 142 R. A. M., at Grayling; and Anderson Commandery No. 32 K. T. ; Detroit Council of Loyal and Select Masters in Michigan; and Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine of Detroit, hav- ing taken also thirty-two degrees of the Scottish Rite. His other social affiliations are with the Knights of Pythias at Anderson, and the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks in the same city. As to politics, Mr. Salling has always given his support to the Republican party.
Mr. Salling came to America a boy without means and with no one especially to direct his youthful course. and by energy, tact and good management has accumulated a considerable amount of property. and is recognized as one of the successful business men of Anderson, a broad- minded, public spirited and very cordial gentleman. He has a good residence at 832 West Eighth Street, on one of the best residence thor- oughfares in Anderson.
JOEL B. BENEFIEL. In Madison county where he has spent his entire life, and where his ability as a farmer and business man and citizen is highly appreciated, Joel B. Benefiel is now serving as incumbent of the important county office of auditor. His residence is in Pendleton, and his name has been known in the southwestern section of the county since 1889.
Of all the old and respected families of Madison county, it is doubtful if any has played a more important part than the Benefiels, in the set- tlement, development and the business and civic activities of this sec- tion. The present Madison county auditor is the only son of W. H. H. Benefiel and Jennie H. (Epperly) Benefiel, both of whom still reside at Pendleton. The career of the elder Benefiel in Madison county has been an interesting one, and among the old-timers none can relate with keener memory and with better appreciation of relative values in a story reminiscences of old-timers in Madison county than W. H. H. Benefiel. He tells not only the experiences of his own life, but the life and experiences of many pioneers in this section of Indiana, and a younger generation may better understand what pioneer life meant when they hear the elder Benefiel describe the corn-huskings, the log-rollings, the apple cuttings, and similar incidents and activities in which the first settlers in Madison county engaged. Among the old-timers still living probably W. H. H. Benefiel knows and can recall that early life better than any other of his contemporaries. From him one may gain a graphic word picture of the old school house with its puncheon floors, with its windows admitting light through greased paper, and with its various other primitive facilities and furnishings. In these schools were taught the three R's-reading, 'riting and 'rithmetic. His memory even goes back to the pioneer and green forests, the wild deer and other game, which haunted this country before the advent of the white man
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and railroads and other facilities of civilization had exterminated them. Mr. Benefiel and his good wife now reside in a beautiful and com- fortable home at Pendleton, and are honored by all their old and young friends, among whom there is none to begrudge them the enjoyment of the fruits of their early industry and, savings.
Joel B. Benefiel was born on the old home farm in Jackson township December 20, 1867, and all his early career was spent in the rural dis- trict. When he arrived at the proper age he entered the local schools, and proved himself an eager student, and when his services were needed at home he gave the benefit of his labors in morning and evening and in vacation time to the multifarious details which always require attention on a farm. When he was about fifteen years old, in order to secure a better education, he entered the high school at Frankton, and there studied and obtained much useful knowledge which has been of benefit to him in all his life and in the business world. When his school days were finished, he took up farming as his regular vocation, and followed that in connection with stock raising and the manufacturing of cheese for many years.
Mr. Benefiel's career as a farmer brought him more than ordinary success, and it was his standing as a responsible business man and effi- cient agriculturist that finally brought him into public affairs. In 1911 he was chosen auditor of Madison county, and took charge of that office on January 1, 1912. In 1911 after his election to office he moved from the farm to Pendleton. Mr. Benefiel is accommodating and efficient as auditor, and his administration of the office has brought credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituency.
In October, 1890, Mr. Benefiel was united in marriage with Hannah J. Gusinger. Their marriage has been blessed with the following chil- dren: Leon G., born February 22, 1892, a graduate of the Pendleton high school and now deputy auditor under his father; Horace I., born April 23, 1894, a graduate of the Pendleton high school; William E., born September 10, 1896, Mary A., born September 30, 1995; Nora J., born October 29, 1900; and Martha A., born April 30, 1905; and Joel T., born September 25, 1907. The family are communicants of the Catholic church and Mr. Benefiel is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus at Anderson.
Since taking up his duties as county auditor, Mr. Benefiel has dis- posed of his farming interests in Madison county. He is a man who is well and favorably regarded throughout this county, has made a record for honesty and honorable dealings, and has won many of the finest fruits of life, consisting not only of material prosperity, but the fine esteem of a community, which takes occasion to show its complete confi- dence in his integrity.
CHARLES A. HENDERSON. The oldest drug store in Madison county is that now conducted by Charles A. Henderson, at Anderson, which has been used as a pharmaey for more than forty-five years, and has an old and well-established trade. Mr. Henderson, who is widely and favorably known in Anderson, is a veteran of the Civil war, and both in times of war and peace has justified the confidence that has been placed in him, and has ably and faithfully discharged his duties as both soidier and citizen. He was born near Zanesville, Muskingum county, Ohio, January 28, 1844, and is a son of William R. and Ann (Lumb) Hender. son. His father was born in Orange county, New York, and was an
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early settler of Muskingum county, where he practiced law until his death. He was a son of John Henderson, an early settler of West Vir- ginia, who was born in the North of Ireland, and who emigrated thence to New York, later settling in West Virginia and taking up his resi- dence in the vicinity of the city of Wheeling.
The educational training of Charles A. Henderson was secured in the public schools of Dresden, Ohio, where, after taking his high school course under the instruction of Robert Stevenson, a noted educator of that day, he entered a pharmacy in Zanesville, Ohio, and there he learned the drug business. He was so engaged at the outbreak of the struggle between the North and the South, and in 1863 came to Decatur, Indiana. His youthful patriotism and enthusiasm for the cause of the Union led him to enlist as a member of Company S, Fifty-ninth Regi- ment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He entered the service as a raw recruit, was mustered in at Kendallville, soon after being placed in charge of a company doing guard duty at Indianapolis, Indiana, where he served his full time in the service. He received his honorable dis- charge in 1865, and returning from his military career, he spent two years in the drug business at Rochester, then went to Indianapolis, where he was employed by A, Kiefer, who was engaged in the sale of wholesale drugs. Mr. Henderson's advent into Anderson was in 1868, and since that time this city has been his home and the scene of his business activities. He continued to successfully conduct this business until 1882, when he was elected clerk of the court of Madison county, a position he continued to hold four years. During this time he also ran his drug store successfully, having a competent man in charge of the business, so that his time was not deflected from his official duties. The stock of his establishment is a comprehensive one, embracing varied lines of drugs and medicines, toilet articles, druggists sundries and such other stock as is usual to first class pharmacies, and his business has with the passing years continued to show a steady and gratifying growth. Absolutely reliable, Mr. Henderson has gained and held the confidence of his fellow townsmen, and as a business man and a private citizen is held in the highest esteem.
On June 1, 1875, Mr. Henderson was united in marriage with Miss Harriett E. Crabbs, of Wabash, Indiana, a daughter of Joseph Crabbs. a banker of that city, and well known and highly esteemed in that part of the state. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Henderson, as follows: Charles E., a druggist; Joseph C., who is also engaged in that business; Frederick A., a physician and surgeon, and a graduate of Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and now serving as interne in the Kings County Hospital in New York City ; Bessie M., the only daugh- ter, who died in the seventeenth year of her life. The wife and mother died on December 23, 1906, and her loss is deeply mourned, not only by her family, but by all who knew her and shared in her worthy life in any way.
Mr. Henderson has always been a stalwart Democrat, but with the exception of four years spent as county clerk and two years as city clerk of Anderson, he has never aspired to public service. On both those occasions he was elected to the office by magnificent and flattering major- ities, and in both he gave a worthy service, in every way satisfactory to the public and creditable to himself. His fraternal connections are with the A. F. & A. M. Mt. Moriah Lodge No. 77, in which he has taken the
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Master's degree. He also has membership in Major May Post No. 244, G. A. R., and his friends in all walks of life are numerous and devoted.
JOSEPH E. HENNINGS. One time owner of the Grand Hotel of Ander- son and now manager of the Grand Opera House and the Anderson Posting Advertising Company, Joseph E. Hennings has been identified with the business interests of this city since 1890. His first connection with the commercial affairs of Anderson was as salesman and solicitor, and he gained a local reputation for progressive ideas and genuine busi- ness capacity that has stood him in excellent stead through all the years of his operation.
Born in New York City, May 10, 1865, Joseph E. Hennings received his early training in the schools of the American metropolis. During his hours out of school the boy practically supported himself by selling papers in the streets. His education was limited to the briefest training, and he was but ten years old when he left school to engage in regular work. He was employed as an office boy for a time, and then left New York and landed in Kokomo, Indiana, where he became a bell boy in the Clinton House. He was also a newsboy in that city. He came to Anderson in 1890. He was attracted to this town during the days of the Indiana State Baseball League. In his loyalty to the Kokomo team he was landed in the grand stand for all his spare change, and the Ander- son boys advertised him as lost. He remained in Anderson, as he says, rather than walk back, besides facing the humiliation of defeat. How- ever, he possessed the wit and independence which would prosper any- where, and it is said of Mr. Hennings that no matter what convolutions of experience he might go through he would land on his feet. Though he had only brains with which to contend against both brains and capital, his native shrewdness won out and he thus became well estab- lished in Anderson within a few years. In 1894, he engaged in the hotel business, becoming proprietor of what was known as the old Anderson Hotel, a place he continued to operate with success for the ensuing ten years. In 1905 he became interested in the Grand Opera House, and in the same year leased the Grand Hotel, then the principal hotel in Anderson and new and modern in all its appointments. In this hotel he brought to bear all his early acquired knowledge of the business as well as that he had gained in later years, and carried on the manage- ment until the Grand Hotel became the most popular hostelry in the state. In the meantime he had become manager of the Grand Opera House, which he operated profitably in connection with his activities as land- lord of the finest hotel. In February, 1913, Mr. Hennings disposed of his interests in the Grand Hotel, but continued as manager of the Opera House. For five consecutive years he was president of the Indiana Hotel- keepers Association. Since retiring from the hotel business, Mr. Hen- nings has bought a neat and substantial residence on Central Avenue, and now devotes his entire time to those interests which have gradually accumulated during his active business career. He is a stock holder in the People's State Bank and the Farmers Trust Company, is also owner of the Bill Posting Plant, the best equipped concern of its kind in the state. He owns valuable grounds opposite the post office, covering an area of seventy-two by one hundred and forty-four feet. The Anderson Posting Advertising Company is well known throughout this section of the state. Mr. Hennings was director general in the most important commercial event in the history of Anderson, and also the most success-
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ful affair ever brought about for boosting home interests. This was the "Made in Anderson exhibit" held under a mammoth canvas during the first week in June, 1913, and attracting visitors, business men and indus- trial representatives from every part of the country. He was chairman of the finance committee in this county. His fraternal relations are with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and at the present time he is grand district deputy of the Grand Lodge of that Order, while he served as chairman of the committee appointed to provide for the Elks State Convention which met in Anderson in May, 1912. That was the best state convention in the history of the order. He is likewise a mem- ber of the Loyal Order of Moose, the Knights of Pythias, is interested in the Travelers Protective Association, of which he is a director, and is a director of the Antlers Club.
Mr. Hennings as a successful man credits no small share of his prog- ress and prosperity to his capable wife. On August 7, 1891, soon after he located in Anderson, he married Miss Josephine Morey, of Adrian, Michigan, a danghter of Max Morey. They have one daughter Eva. The family residence is 1222 Central Avenue
Mr. Hennings has long since demonstrated the character of his citi- zenship to be above reproach, and his publie spiritedness and open- mindedness has been of the greatest benefit of the city which represents his home, and where he displays a wholesome interest in every enterprise calculated to enhance the community welfare.
Mr. Hennings retains his office in the Grand Opera House block and while he has opportunities in other cities where a larger field for opera- tions are offered him, he still stands by the ship that carried him over and believes in loyalty to good old Anderson.
HENRY DRACH. It is gratifying to be able to present in this publica- tion individual mention of so appreciable a percentage of the representa- tive citizenship of Anderson, and to such recognition Mr. Drach is well entitled, as he is a loyal and public-spirited citizen and is the able and popular incumbent of the office of superintendent of the city water works.
Mr. Drach was born in the city of Cleveland, Ohio, on the 4th of August, 1868, and is a son of Jacob W. and Maria (Hechler) Drach, both natives of Germany and representatives of stanch old families of that great empire. Jacob W. Drach was reared to adult age in his native land and was there afforded good educational advantages. At the age . of eighteen years he emigrated to America and here he served a thorough apprenticeship to the blacksmith's trade in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, soon afterward moving to Cleveland, Ohio, and to that enterprise he devoted the greater part of his active career in that city, there spending the remainder of his life, and dying in 1871, his widow surviving him until 1889. Of their five children one son and one daughter are deceased.
To the public schools of his native city Henry Drach is chiefly indebted for his early educational discipline, and after he left the grades he attended a night school in the city for some time, after which he entered the employ of the Standard Oil Company, where he occupied himself at learning the machinist's trade. He later had charge of the installation of machinery in different plants of the Hughes Steam Pump Company of Cleveland, and still later was employed by the same company in the work of installing waterworks plants and equipment in various cities and towns. In 1893 Mr. Drach came to Anderson and assumed charge of the installation of machinery in a local water works plant, of which
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he was, in 1895, appointed superintendent upon the completion of the system. Of this office he has continued as the valued incumbent from the time of the organization of the controlling company and it is largely due to his ability and effective endeavors that the local water-works sys- tem has been maintained at the highest standard of efficiency.
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