A portrait and biographical record of Delaware and Randolph counties, Ind., containing biographical sketches of many prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all of the presidents of the United States, and biographies of the governors of Indiana, Part 16

Author:
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Chicago, A. W. Bowen & Co.
Number of Pages: 1474

USA > Indiana > Randolph County > A portrait and biographical record of Delaware and Randolph counties, Ind., containing biographical sketches of many prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all of the presidents of the United States, and biographies of the governors of Indiana > Part 16
USA > Indiana > Delaware County > A portrait and biographical record of Delaware and Randolph counties, Ind., containing biographical sketches of many prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all of the presidents of the United States, and biographies of the governors of Indiana > Part 16

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GAGE ARRASMITH, the leading photographer of Muncie, Ind., was born near Eaton, Preble county, Ohio, February 17, 1859, son of R B. and M. J. (Lewis) Arrasmith, the former a

native of Ohio and the latter of Kentucky, who were married in Putnamn county, Ind , in 1848; and moved to Preble county, Ohio, in the same year. In 1860 Mr. Arrasmith, Sr., changed his residence to Miami county, Ind., where he engaged in farming until 1880 Since 1880 he has led a retired life, engaging a tenant to work his farm. Mr. and Mrs. Arrasmith, Sr., were Universalists in religious convictions and in this belief Mrs. Arrasmith died July 21, 1886, her remains being laid to rest in Miami county, Ind. They were the parents of seven children, as follows: Emma L., wife of John Parks, Peru, Ind. ; Willie and Alonzo, deceased; Horace F., of White county, Ind .; Mary, wife of C. Strode, of Miami county, Ind .; A. Gage and L Josephine, wife of S. A. Holt, of London, Ohio.

A. G. Arrasmith was reared on the home farm and when but eighteen years of age en- gaged, as an apprentice for two years, with J. Wharton of Wabash, Ind., in a photograph gallery. For the three following years he studied as a portrait artist and became thoroughly competent to undertake all classes of fine art work. Until 1886 he led a roving life, traveling through many states, mostly en- gaged in the practice of his chosen profession. Finally, deciding to locate, he selected Muncie as his place of residence, and purchased the gallery he is now in, and equipments, and has since been recognized as the leading photog- rapher of Delaware county, Ind. Mr. Arra- smith's success has been very marked and is due to the excellent quality of the work and to his faithfulness in the smallest detail. He began with very limited capital, but by his energy, the excellence of his work and his courteous manner, has placed his studio in the front rank and has made it popular with all classes.

February 1, 1888, Mr. Arrasmith married Miss Ida M. Miller, of Hartford City, Ind.,

DAVID R. ARMITAGE, M. D.

MRS. CLARA E. ARMITAGE.

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who was born April 11, 1862, a daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Brue) Miller. One child has been born to this union, a son, Glenn. Politically Mr. Arrasmith is a repub- lican, and socially he is connected with I. O. O. F. lodge No. 74, and also of the Twa Twa tribe of Red Men.

ENRY B. ATHEY was born in Hardy county, a part of what is now the county of Grant, in the state of Vir- ginia, on the 27th day of September, 1853. His father, Daniel Lewis Athey, was a native of New York, but early accompanied his parents to Virginia, and from early boy- hood was engaged in driving cattle to the eastern markets, principally to Philadelphia and New York city, before the days of rail- roads. He married Lavina C. R. Smith, daughter of Henry Smith, Esq., of Virginia, and became the father of eleven children, six girls and five boys, nine of whom are living at this time, Henry B. being the eldest son. Mr. and Mrs. Athey left Virginia in 1855, emigrat- ing to Illinois and settling in the county of Piatt when that part of the state was almost wholly unimproved. Mr. Athey is now living in Farmer City, Dewitt county, Ill., practical- ly retired from active life. He has followed agriculture, in which he has met with reason- able success, is independent in his political views, and for a number of years has been an active member of the Methodist church. He is essentially a self-made man, his sole capital on reaching his new home in the west amount- ing to but $5, from which insignificant begin- ning he succeeded, by his unaided efforts, in acquiring a comfortable competence.

At the age of two years, Henry B. Athey was taken by his parents to Illinois, in which state he grew to manhood on a farm, and early

became accustomed to the hard work incident to that useful occupation. His early educa- tional training, owing to circumstances over which he had no control, was sadly neglected, and his attendance at school was limited to about eighteen months, divided among several years. His first school experience was in a little frame smokehouse upon his father's farm, and the teacher, by no means a classical scholar, received his pay by the subscriptions of his patrons. Possessing an inquiring mind, Mr. Athey was not content to remain in igno- rance of books, and by wide reading and self- culture, together with a practical education acquired from contact with business men in various capacities, he has since become a well informed man.

At the age of twenty he left the parental roof and began life for himself as a farm labor- er, and later found employment in a lumber yard, in which he subsequently purchased an interest. He continued in the lumber business for a period of seven years, selling out at the end of that time and accepting a position as traveling salesman for the Champion Machine company, of Springfield, Ohio, in which ca- pacity he continued until 1889. While trav- eling for this firm, Mr Athey in June, 1883, located in Muncie and for some time thereafter kept books for R. H. Mong. Subsequently he became manager of the Muncie Foundry and Machine company, in which he now owns a one-fifth interest, but he still looks after the business of the establishment, which owes much of its present success to his careful fore- sight.

March 27, 1878, Mr. Athey was married to Miss Ella L. Green, daughter of George W. and Nancy (Fleming) Green, who has borne him one child, a daughter, Georgia G. Athey, born December 24, 1879. Mrs. Athey was born September 24, 1854 on Walnut street this city. In politics Mr. Athey is a democrat,

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and as such wields an influence for his party in Muncie and Delaware county. He served in the village council of Mansfield, Ill., for four years ; acted as treasurer or tax collector for some time in the county of Piatt, that state, and for one year served as village clerk and afterward as trustee for the village of Mans- field. Mr. Athey is not identified with any church or religious order-being quite liberal in his views concerning all movements having for their object the welfare of his fellow-men. He is progressive, takes an active interest in the material developement of Muncie, and is deserving of mention with its representative citizens.

O LIVER E. BALDWIN, one of the leading grocers of Muncie, is a native of Wayne county, Ind., and dates his birth from the 30th day of September, 1 830. His father, Elias Baldwin, a North Carolinian, was brought to Indiana when a mere child, and in early manhood worked at the tanner's trade in Wayne county, later en- gaging in agricultural pursuits, which he con- tinued to follow until his death, in January, 1892. Financially, Elias Baldwin was more than ordinarily successful, and he was fortunate in accumulating a comfortable portion of this world's goods. He was a member of the So- ciety of Friends, a republican in his political affiliations, and in every relation of life proved himself to be a high minded, an honorable man, and a true type of the courteous christian gen- tleman. His wife, whose maiden name was Lydia Hough, was a daughter of William Hough, a prominent citizen of Wayne county, and she became the mother of six children, namely: Ella, Emma, Alice, Oliver E., Charles and Mary, all living but the first named, who died in 1890.

Oliver E. Baldwin remained under the parental roof until his eighteenth year, assist- ing his father on the farm and attending the country schools at intervals in the meantime. His first practical experience in life was as a clerk in a drug store at Fountain City, where he remained two years, at the end of which time he accepted a position as salesman in a grocery house at the same place, continuing in the later capacity for a period of about eight- een months. In 1884 he came to Muncie and accepted a position in the wholesale grocery house of Jos. A. Goddard, in whose employ he continued until the latter part of 1887, from which date until 1889 he was similarly employed with James N. Cropper, one of the leading grocery dealers of Muncie. In the latter year, Mr. Baldwin purchased an interest in the grocery house of A. B. Phillips on Main street, and the firm of Phillips & Baldwin con- tinued until 1891, when Mr. Baldwin became sole proprietor. He has since conducted the business with success and financial profit, his patronage having constantly increased until, at this time, he is recognized as one of the leading dealers in general groceries in the city. Mr. Baldwin possesses superior business quali- fications and by judicious management has built up a large and remunerative trade. He has accumulated a competence of worldly ef- fects, enjoys the prosperity acquired by years of industry, and occupies a deservedly con- spicuous place among the successful commer- cial men of Delaware county. Socially he is very popular, and fraternally he is prominent- ly identified with the Improved Order of Red Men, belonging to Muncie tribe, No. 144. A republican in politics, he has never been an office seeker. He is a birth right member of the Society of Friends, and his daily life and conversation are practical exemplifications of the pure precepts of that simple but sublime faith.

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Mr. Baldwin was married in the year 1882 to Miss Sadie E. Lister, daughter of John and Judith Lister, of Randolph county, to which union two children, Earl L. and Clarence W., have been born, both living. Mrs. Baldwin is a respected member of the same religious or- der to which her husband belongs.

ETER H. D. BANDEY, late promi- nent manufacturer of Muncie, was born in Westminster, London, Eng- land, on the 27th of February, 1837. He came to the United States at the age of eighteen years, and settled in Iowa, where a brother who had preceded him resided ; later, he located at Indianapolis, where he remained for a limited period, and about the year 1858 came to Muncie, Ind., where for some time he was employed as a laborer in a saw mill. Sub- sequently, he purchased an interest in the mill, which, under the firm name of Matthews, Ryan & Bandey, did a very successful business for some time, the name afterwards changing to Matthews & Bandey. Eventually, Mr. Bandey became sole proprietor of the mill, which, under his efficfent management, con- tinued to do an increasing business until it be- came necessary to enlarge its capacity in order to meet the demands of trade ; accordingly, new and improved appliances were added from time to time, including a full set of machinery for planing lumber, and the estab- lishment soon became one of the leading manufacturing enterprises of Muncie. Under the name of The Bandey Planing mill it was operated with the most gratifying success until Mr. Bandey's death, since which time it has been under the able management of T. J. Zook with Miss Maud Bandey as assistant, and is still one of the firmly established and financially successful manufacturing establish- ments of Delaware county.

Mr. Bandey took an active interest in the material prosperity of the city of his adoption, and as a business man he was straightforward, upright and honorable ; as a citizen, he was highly regarded in business and social circles, and he enjoyed the respect and confidence of the community in an eminent degree. He never desired nor sought for political honor or office, although he filled several positions of trust and responsibility with the most com- mendable fidelity. In early life he was not favored with any peculiar advantages and his success was entirely due to the indomitable will and energy which he displayed in all his undertakings. In 1868 Mr. Bandey was mar- ried in Muncie to Miss Mary E. Zook of Philadelphia, Pa., daughter of John A. and Anna M. Zook, who moved west when Mrs. Bandey was a mere child. To Mr. and Mrs. Bandey were born five children, two of whom, Maud and Charline, are living at this time. For his standing as a representative business man as well as for his strict integrity and nobility of character Mr. Bandey was held in the highest esteem by the people of Muncie, and his death, which occurred on the 21st day of April, 1882, was universally regretted by all classes. Of his character and standing in the community, the subjoined extracts from the press of Muncie upon the occasion of his demise furnish a good and correct expression, as they do also of his life and career while a resident of this city.

"Mr. Bandey was a zealous member of the Masonic order for many years and was an of- ficer in the Masonic council at the time of his death. He united with the Universalist church in 1870 and was a faithful attendant at the services at the church until disease pre- vented further attendance. Several times was Mr. Bandey elected to represent his ward in the council, and that he filled the office conscientiously and well is a fact well known

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to all who are acquainted with his history. In business he was comparatively successful, and leaves property sufficient to keep his fam- ily in comfortable circumstances if properly managed. As a mechanic Mr. Bandey was without a superior in his line, and he leaves numerous monuments to attest his architectur- al skill in many of the fine buildings that had been erected under his supervision in this city and county during the quarter of a century that he was a resident among us. Mr. Ban- dey, like all other men, had his faults, but they were few. 6 He was a man of firm con- victions and did not hesitate to express his opinions whenever the occasion required. He was a man of principle, and honesty was one of the component parts of his composition. He never made a promise that he thought he could not fulfill. His word he considered as good as his obligation. It has been said that 'when a good man dies the people mourn.' In the death of Mr. Bandey we have lost a good man, an honest and upright and a patri- otic citizen and we mourn his loss as such."

Mrs. Bandey, a lady of many noble quali- ties of mind and heart and a true helpmeet to her husband through his many struggles and successes, departed this life on the 11th day of January, 1892, aged forty-five years. As already stated the elder daughter, Maud Ban- dey, is assistant manager of the planing mill, and in the discharge of the duties of that posi- tion she displays business qualifications of a very high order.

3 AMES M. BARNES was born in Mun- cie, October 25, 1855, a son of William and Eveline (Wachtell) Barnes, who became citizens of Delaware county in 1837. Wm. Barnes was, by occupation, a cabinet maker and carpenter and followed this

trade all of his life, until his death, July 17, 1890. He was considered the finest mechanic in Muncie, he being the last of his family. His widow still makes her home in this city. Both were members of the Presbyterian church. Politically he was a democrat, a man of strict views and always ready to uphold his church or party. Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Barnes were the parents of seven children, as follows: Millie J., Calista A., Ella, James M., John W., Bertha and Bessie.

James M. Barnes received a good educa- tion, and, at the age of twenty-one, began to learn the trade of photographer, entering a gallery first in Muncie, and then working at various places, learning all of the newest and most approved methods, until 1890, at which time he permanently located in this city at his present stand, and has since that time carried on a very successful business. He has dis- played much talent in his line, turning out some very superior and satisfactory work and bids fair to become known in a much larger territory, in the near future. Mr. Barnes has the manner of a successful business man, being courteous and pleasant to all, thus making his gallery a desirable one in every way. Frater- nally Mr. Barnes has connected himself with the order of Knights of Pythias, uniform rank, in which he is an active and interested mem- ber. Mr. Barnes was married May 3, 1893, in Muncie, to Mattie E. Suber, born October 25, 1860, in Delaware county, daughter of Robert P. and Hanna Suber, also natives of this county.

p ERRY N. BARR, the eminent horse- man of Muncie, Ind., was born at Wheeling, Delaware" county, Ind., October 29, 1857, and is a son of Arnold and Emily (Heath) Barr. The father

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died when Perry was but six years of age, and when seven years old his mother moved to Muncie with her three children. Here Perry attended school until twelve, when he lost his mother also, and was thus left to shift for himself in the wide world. For about five years he worked in a grocery, and at the age of seventeen went to learn the carriage trim- ming business with Cook & Kinsley, remain- ing with them two years, when he went to Bellefontaine, Ohio, where he completed his apprenticeship. He worked, next, as a jour- neyman in Marion, Urbana and Springfield, Ohio, and then started on his travels, which carried him through nine states. Eventually settling at Bucyrus, Ohio, he bought a half interest in a carriage shop, which interest he sold out two years later, returned to Muncie, and worked at his trade for some years, mak- ing large wages by turning out a larger amount of work than the average. In 1882 Mr. Barr married Miss Flora T. Sears, of Muncie. Mr. Barr is a K. of P. and a member of the I. O. R. M., in which latter he has passed all the chairs, and is also a member and trustee of the grand lodge of Indiana. He is also local agent for the Farmers' and Stock Breeders' Live Stock Insurance company, and is the owner of the filly Blondie G., by Bonnie Doon, dam Blue Bull. Mr. Barr became first identified with the horse interests of Indiana by the purchase of the bay mare Cuba, as an undeveloped four year old. She won her maiden race in the Delaware county trot of 1888, and in 1890 faced the starter in twenty- one races, of which she won first money sev- enteen times and a place in every race, going into winter quarters with a record of 2:29. The rare speed and endurance of the gallant little mare enlisted Mr. Barr's interest in and resulted in the purchase of her stoutly bred and excellent sire, Bonnie Doon, 5322, in 1890. He is perhaps the best living son of

the great Blue Bull, 75. his maternal lines tracing direct to Sweet's Mambrino, Alexan- der's Abdallah, and a thoroughbred founda- tion. Bonnie Doon's roll of honor includes Cuba, 2:253, Maud M., 2:30, and a number of other young candidates for 2:30 records. The progeny of Bonnie Doon make typical carriage and buggy horses, and will contribute their full share to the improvement of the horse stock of the country. Mr. Barr has fitted up convenient and healthful breeding stables on West Main street, which also con- tain the black stallion Abdallah King (grand- son of Abdallah, 15, sire of Goldsmith Maid, 2:14), and other well bred stock. Mr. Barr is an intelligent horseman, and is active as a promoter of the country's live stock interests, whose stables have already taken a foremost position among the best in the county. In politics, Mr. Barr is a stanch democrat.

ARRINGTON BEHYMER, the gen- tleman for whom this biography is written, is a well known resident of Delaware county, Ind., an ex-soldier and one of her most esteemed citizens. Mr. Behymer was born in Clermont county, Ohio. January 10, 1833, a son of John and Nancy (Leach) Behymer. The former, born in the state of Virginia in 1803, is consequently now ninety years of age, but still retains his facul- ties in a remarkable degree, and has led a good, benevolent life, residing at present in Clermont county, Ohio, where he married in 1830. He saw the full growth of the county and all of his active life was spent in farming or in following the carpenter trade until 1875, at which time he retired from business. Eight of his family of thirteen children are yet living and are heads of families themselves. He is

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a republican in politics and still takes great interest in the progress of public affairs.

Barrington Behymer was reared on the old home farm, where he remained until twenty- five years of age, and enjoyed excellent cdu- cational advantages, attending first the com- mon schools, and later spent two terms at what is known as the Farmers college near Cincinnati, Ohio. At the age of twenty years he began teaching school, and, with the ex- ception of three years spent in the army, re- mained in the educational field until 1865, teaching in all about twenty terms. On the loth day of September, 1861, he enlisted in company A, Fifth Ohio cavalry, and served in Gen. Grant's division in Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama, and in March, 1862, for gallant and meritorious conduct was promoted batta- lion sergeant major. One year later this rank was abolished by act of congress, after which Mr. Behymer was made regimental sergeant major, in which capacity he served until March 10, 1864, when he was promoted second lieu- tenant of company L, Fifth Ohio cavalry. He continued in the latter capacity until honor- ably discharged from the service October 27, 1864, at which time he resumed the arts of peace at his home in Ohio. During his period of service Mr. Behymer took part in the bat- tles of Shiloh, where he was engaged two days; Big Hatchet, Cold Water, Mission Ridge, Lookout Mountain, and various other fights and skirmishes.

In 1865 Mr. Behymer moved to Jennings county, Ind., and served as deputy circuit court clerk there for a period of three years, at the end of which time he returned to Ohio and engaged in teaching school during the winter of 1869-70. He embarked in the mercantile business in the spring of 1872, which he fol- lowed during the years of 1872 and 1873, and in 1875 resumed teaching, which profession he followed successfully during the succeeding

three years. In 1888 he once again engaged in the goods business in the county of Cler- mont, Ohio, where he remained until the spring of 1884, when he removed to the town of Mason, in the same state, thence after a short time returned and purchased the same property he had sold in Clermont county, and from the fall of 1884 to the spring of 1887 was engaged in the goods business, with a miscel- laneous assortment of merchandise. In the spring of 1888 he removed to Indiana, locating in the city of Muncie, where, the following year, he was appointed justice of the peace, in which capacity he has since served, having been re-elected in 1890. He was also admit- ted to the bar as an attorney at law, and in addition to his official duties gives considerable attention to the legal profession. Mr. Behy- mer was married in his native county, April 7, 1866, to Miss Lizzie McDonnald, also a native of Clermont county, born on the 11th day of December, 1848, the daughter of David and Ann (Wheeler) McDonnald, parents of Scotch and English ancestry respectively. Three chil- dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Behy- mer-the first an infant named Pearl, who died at the age of three weeks; the others, Anna, who is still with her parents, and Arthur L., an error clerk in the railway mail service at Cincinnati. In his political affiliations Mr. Behymer is a stanch supporter of the republi- can party, and he is one of the prominent members of the G. A. R. of Muncie. He is a man of much more than ordinary intelligence, has been a wide reader and close observer and has decided views upon all the leading ques- tions of the day, which he has no hesitancy in expressing. He is widely and favorably known in the city of his residence and possesses in an eminent degree the esteem and confidence of his many friends and neighbors. He has ac- quired an enviable reputation as an attorney, and gained a lucrative practice.

C. L. BENDER.

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a HARLES L. BENDER, formerly the senior partner in the great clothing firm of Bender & Shoemaker, pro- prietors of the Globe clothing house of Muncie, but now the sole successor to the business, is a native of Yorktown, Mount Pleasant township, Delaware county, Ind., and was born September 27, 1855. His father, John Bender, was born in Strassburg, Germany, and in 1850 came to the United States, locating in Philadelphia. He was then. a young man, and while in the city of Broth- erly Love learned shoemaking. In 1852 he came to Indiana and took up his residence in Hagerstown, Wayne county, and in the same year married Miss Gertrude Simon. From Hagerstown he moved to Yorktown, where he resided four years, and then moved to Salem township, where he worked for a year in a tannery, and then moved to Daleville, where he now has his residence, and is still engaged in tanning. His marriage with Miss Simon was blessed by the birth of four sons and five daughters, named as follows: John, drowned at the age of four, at Yorktown; Charles L., whose name opens this sketch; Rosetfa A., now Mrs. Charles Smock; Mary E., wife of S. J. Simmons, of Muncie; William H., de- ceased; Edward F., salesman; Augusta, Allie, deceased, and Nellie.

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A portrait and biographical record of Delaware and Randolph counties, Ind., containing biographical sketches of many prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all of the presidents of the United States, and biographies of the governors of Indiana, Part 16

Author: Publication date: 1894 Publisher: Chicago, A. W. Bowen & Co. Number of Pages: 1474

Author:
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Chicago, A. W. Bowen & Co.
Number of Pages: 1474