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 17

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 17
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 17

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 (link on the Part 1 page).

Charles L. Bender engaged in the affairs of life for himself at the early age of twelve, go- ing to Chesterfield, Madison county, Ind., where he learned carriage painting, and gained his early schooling. He then carried on the business awhile on his own account, next clerked in a general store at Daleville, next was employed in frescoing, worked awhile at Indianapolis, then returned to Daleville, where he went into business for himself again for a season, and then went into the dry goods store of J. B. Garrett, as clerk, and next took the management of the dry goods

and grocery store of J. H. Dusang. In 1877 he came to Muncie and was a clerk in the Kirby house for two months, after which he went to Anderson as clerk for E. M. Hays & Son, later clerked for Samuel Rose. March 10, 1880, he returned to Muncie and clerked for Parker & Powell, then proprietors of the Globe clothing house, which was a small concern at that time and located on east Main street; the store was subsequently sold to James Boyce and others, and Mr. Bender was given the management. Two years later Mr. Bender formed a partnership with J. P. Shoe- maker, a wealthy grain merchant of Middle- town, Ind., and together they purchased the stock of the Globe, the business of which, un- der the efficient management of Mr. Bender, so increased that within a short time enlarged quarters had to be secured, and the west end of the Boyce block was selected, where an immense trade was done, until Mr. Bender, in the summer of 1893, purchased the entire con- cern, and now carries the largest stock of clothing and gentlemen's furnishing goods ever seen in eastern Indiana, and the Globe is doing a larger trade than ever at the same old stand of Bender & Shoemaker.

. Charles L. Bender was married May 19, 1880, to Miss Isabel Gray, and the couple re- side in an elegant mansion on east Main street. Although not a member of any church, Mr. Bender is a moral man in every respect and is highly respected by the whole community. He is a prominent Odd Fellow, is a Knight of Pythias and a member of the B. P. O. E. He is liberal in his donations to school and church and his private acts of charity are munificent, but by no means ostentatious. Although yet quite young, Mr. Bender has reached much prominence as a business man, and his success has been the result of his individual merit. He is affable and appreciative of his custom- ers' wants, and always reliable.

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ILLIAM BENNETT has for some finally became the largest owner of real estate in Delaware county. In addition to his holdings in the county, Mr. Bennett is also largely pos- sessed of Muncie real estate, and real estate in Pickaway and Madison counties, Ohio. He has two farms in Pickaway county of 700 and 400 acres respectively, and one farm in Madi- son county of 287 acres, very valuable-which, with the other possessions, are the legitimate result of his wise foresight. He is a large stockholder in the Co-operative Gas company of Muncie, is, also, prominently identified with the Cammack Gas company, beside taking an active interest in various other industrial en- terprises and other movements. years been a prominent citizen of Delaware county, and at this writ- ing is one of the strong financial inen and leading spirits of the city of Muncie. Mr. Bennett is a native of Ohio, born Septem- ber 4, 1826, in the county of Pickaway, to which John and Sarah (Downs) Bennett moved a number of years ago from Delaware. William is the sixth child of the above couple, and he grew to manhood in his native county, in the schools of which he received his educa- tional training. Reared on the farm he laid the fouddation of a character which in later years has enabled him to accumulate vastly more of this world's goods than usually !alls Mr. Bennett is now in the sixty-seventh year of his age, possesses in a marked degree his faculties both mental and physical, and, is still quick of preception and prompt in decis- ion. His success in life is to be attributed to a naturally well endowed mind, plus caution, energy, frugality, integrity and. earnest en- deavor, which qualities have established a character above reproach and gained for him the esteem and confidence of many. Politi- cally a republican, he has never been promi- nent us a partisan, preferring to give his en- tire attention to his business enterprises; reli- giously the Methodist church represents his creed, and for some years he has been an ac- tive member of the High street congregation of Muncie. to the lot of the average man. In 1849, he was united in marriage to Miss Rhoda Van- Buskirk of Pickaway county, Ohio, daughter of John and Sophia Van Buskirk ; she died in the spring of '74, leaving three daughters and one son: oldest. Sophia, wife of James O. Day, of Madison county, Ohio ; Mary, wife of James McClimons of Madison county, Ohio; Laura, wife of Fred W. Heath of this city, and Win- field Scott, who died at twenty-one years and three months, and, some years thereafter, Mr. Bennett followed the pursuit of agriculture near his old home. Later Mr. Bennett removed to the county of Madison, near Mt. Sterling, where he remained for eight years, a part of which time was devoted to his chosen calling but later, owing to impaired health, he was Mr. Bennett remarried December 17, 1874 to Miss Mary Maddux of Pickaway county, Ohio, by whom he has had one child, named Pearl R., who still resides at home. compelled to abandon the active work of the farm. Mr. Bennett became a resident of Indiana in the year of 1882, locating in the thriving city of Muncie, where he has since resided. In 1868, he purchased real estate in Mt. Pleasant township, also became the pos- O WEN BEOUY, deceased, was born near Wheeling, Delaware county, Ind., January 22, 1852, and was a son of Edmond Beouy, mention of whom sessor of valuable farming lands in the town- ship of Harrison, also a farm in Salem township, and at different times made judicious invest- ments in various parts of the county until he | will be found in detail in another portion of

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this volume. Although in early life trained to be a tiller of the soil, he, even as a boy, evinced a fondness for horseflesh, which in- creased in intensity as the years rolled on, and at his majority he engaged almost exclusively in buying and selling animals, and eventually became one of the most extensive dealers in eastern Indiana, and certainly the largest ship- per, by far, in Delaware county. A few years before his death he was employed by a Boston firm to purchase and ship, on their account, every animal that was suited to their trade, and for this one firm he, in a single year, shipped 836 horses, in addition to supplying the wants of his other customers. More than a year prior to his death his health broke down, and for several weeks he passed his time at Hot Springs, Ark., with the hope of recupera- ting, but, on returning to his home, although he felt much improved, his restless industry caused a relapse, which again laid him on a sick bed, from which, a few days later, his gentle spirit took its flight November 15, 1892. Mr. Beouy was a man invariably recognized as being generous to a fault, and as kind as he was generous; and the community has lost few better men. He was a charter member of Twa Twa tribe, I. O. R. M., but his impaired health precluded his taking even the initiatory degree. His worship was within the pale of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the last sad funeral rites were conducted at his former residence, at the corner of Jefferson and Gil- bert streets, by Rev. James M. Lewis, of Dun- kirk, Ind., and Rev. George H. Hill, pastor of the High street M. E. church, of Muncie.

The marriage of Mr. Beouy occurred in Jonesboro, Ind., September 7, 1889, the bride being Miss Emma Taylor, a most amiable young lady, with whom he became acquainted shortly after first making his headquarters in the "Magic" city, and until his last hour the union was one of unalloyed happiness. Mrs.

Beouy was born at Irwin, in Westmoreland county, Pa., March 29, 1859, daughter of George W. and Caroline (Bossard) Taylor.

a 'DWARD W. BISHOP, the leading insurance man of Muncie, was born in Worthington, Franklin county, Ohio, March 21, 1847. His father, William Bishop, was born at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., January 23, 1802, the son of John Bishop, who with his wife and family emmigrated to Ohio in 1818, locating in what is now Wester- ville, Franklin county, of which part of the country he was one of the earliest pioneers. William Bishop assisted his father in clearing land which the latter purchased from the gov- ernment, and remained with his parents until failing health induced him to go to Sulphur Springs, Va., where he learned the saddler's trade. Returning to Ohio he established him- self in that business at Worthington, where, at the age of twenty-eight, he married Char- lotte Wolcott, daughter of Judge Wolcott of Franklinton, Ohio. In 1854 he disposed of his saddlery interests at Worthington and en- gaged in the hotel business for a number of years. In an early day William Bishop was largely instrumental in locating the college at Worthington, and later was very successful in establishing the Ohio Wesleyan university at Delaware. He was a leading member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics was originally a whig, but afterward a repub- lican, For several years prior to the civil war, he was connected with the Under Ground railroad, and his barn was used as a hiding place for escaping slaves. The following are the names of the children born to William and Charlotte Bishop : Celia, Erville B., Luella, Edward W. and Frank W. In addition to the above there were four that died in infancy

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unnamed, and Luella is now deceased. Mrs. Bishop died during the cholera scourge of 1850. Mr. Bishop died at Worthington, Ohio, about the year 1870, at an advanced age.

Edward W. Bishop was three years of age when he was called upon to part with his mother. He spent his boyhood days in his native county, attended at intervals the coun- try schools, and, at the early age of fifteen, enlisted, at Camp Chase, Ohio, in company C. One Hundred and Thirteenth Ohio Volunteer in- fantry; was mustered in, August, 1862, as a pri- vate, but within a short time was promoted adjut- ant's orderly, and served in the army of the Cum- berland until August, 1863, when, on account of impaired health. he received an honorable discharge. Returning home, he was for some time employed as clerk in a general store, and later accepted the position of bookkeeper in a manufacturing establishment at Mount Vic- tory, Ohio, where he remained ten months. In September, 1866, he came to Muncie, Ind., and accepted a clerical position in the Bee Line office for eight months, and was then appointed the company's agent at Winches- ter, and filled the latter position for eleven years. Mr. Bishop next engaged as traveling salesmen for a mercantile firm of Hagerstown, Md., passed three years on the road, returned to Muncie, and again entered the employ of the Bee Line Railroad company, continued for a limited period, and then became agent for the L. E. & W. for about three years. He then renewed his connection with the Bee Line, which in the meantime had been changed to the C., C., C. & St. L. R. R, becoming cashier in the freight department at Muncie, where he remained for three years, and then, owing to ill health, was compelled to resign.

His next venture was the insurance business, which he has since conducted upon quite an ex-

tensive scale in Muncie, representing at this time twenty of the leading companies of the world and carrying policies for many large manufac- turing establishments of the city. Mr. Bishop was married October 20, 1869, to Miss Elsie Dana, daughter of Dr. Marcus Dana of Fos- toria, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Bishop are the par- ents of three children, namely: Erville D., Mar- cus S. and Charlotte L., all living. Socially he occupies a prominent place in the society of Muncie and in politics supports the princi- ples of the republican party. In the Masonic fraternity he stands high, having taken a num- ber of degrees, including that of Sir Knight, and he is also an active worker in the G. A. R. Erville D. Bishop was born November 6, 1870, received his education in the Muncie schools, graduating in 1891, after which he became associated with his father in business. November 7, 1892, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph Prutz- man. Marcus, the second son, is a bright in- telligent lad of thirteen, and Charlotte is a charming Miss of eleven years.

J OHN H. BLOOR, D. D. S., Muncie, Ind., was born in Mansfield, Ohio, July 6, 1864, and is the son of Will- iam and Jane E. (Au) Bloor. His youthful days were passed in Mansfield, and while yet attending public schools had begun the study of dentistry, during vacations, in the office of Dr. C. M. Roe-graduating from a pub- lic school in 1884 and pursuing his studies an- other year. In 1885 and 1886 he attended the Ohio Dental college at Cincinnati, and be- gan practice at Fredericktown, Ohio, and then, in 1891, went to Indianapolis, Ind., as assist- ant demonstrator of crown and bridge work in the Post Graduate school of prosthetic dentistry, and at the same time attended the

У. Д. Borово Ло. Д.

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Indiana Dental college, from which he re- ceived the degree of D. D. S. He next went to Louisville, Ky., where he took an interest in the New York Dental company, incorpor- ated under the laws of the state of Kentucky, and September 20, 1892, opened a branch of- fice of the company in Muncie, with parlors in the Wildermuth block, 2083 south Walnut street. The doctor has made an excellent reputation in Muncie, as elsewhere, and makes a specialty of crown and bridge work, con- sidered, to-day, the highest branch of dentist- ry, and is, in the largest cities, the practical test of proficiency in the art.

Dr. Bloor was happily married, in 1888, to the accomplished daughter of H. E. Kendall, of Mansfield, Ohio. The doctor is a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the Knights of Pythias, and he and wife enjoy the respect of a large circle of friends and social acquaint- ances, while the doctor's professional stand- ing is with the highest.

ARRA L. BOTKIN is a native of Ran- dolph county, Ind., born April 7, 1868, and is a son of William T. and Martha (Cropper) Botkin. He re- ceived his preliminary education at the com- mon schools of the county, passed through the three terms of the normal school at Winches- ter, and then began the study of veterinary science at London, Ont., with Dr. J. H. Ten- nant, in October, 1888, and for two years pur- sued a private and practical course of study under that distinguished practitioner. He en- tered the Ontario Veterinary college, at Tor- onto, in the fall of 1890, and took another regular course for two years, being in actual practice with his old preceptor during vaca- tions, and graduated March 25, 1892. During his terms of study he received the silver medal

for the best examination in pathology, and also the gold medal for the general examination in the sessions of 1891-92 in a class of 164 stu- dents from the United States, Canada, Eng- land, Scotland, Ireland, the West Indies and South America. In the spring of 1892 Dr. Botkin located in Muncie, supplied with all the appliances and instruments necessary to per- form any surgical operation. In connection with his veterinary work, he makes a spec- ialty of dental surgery, in which he has acquired considerable skill. A liberal patron- age has already been given to him, and as soon as his qualifications shall have been known more generally he will not, by any means, be left with idle time on his hands. The doctor fully appreciates the exacting demands which the conscientious practice of veterinary science entails, and is prepared to meet them. It is a science whose representatives have made all the more important by the application of vital as well as medical truths in recent years, among which are the "germ theory of disease" by Pasteur (himself a veterinarian), and oth- ers of similar importance.

HOMAS J. BOWLES, M. D., one of the most talented members of the medical profession in the county of Delaware, Ind., is a native of the state, having been born in Rush county, July 24, 1836. His parents were James and Sarah A. (Smith) Bowles, natives of Kentucky, who settled in Rush county, Ind., about 1826. James Bowles was of English extraction, was born in 1807, and was reared to farming and stock raising. Having married Miss Smith in his early manhood, he took his departure by wagon from Kentucky to Indiana in 1826, and here settled among the pioneers of Rush county. His wife, and one Kentucky born

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child, Christina, were his companions, and after his arrival in Rush county, Ind., there were born to him five others; one infant, Paul, that was born and died in Kentucky, found its final repose in that state. Indiana gave birth to Joseph, Thomas J., Mary A., James H. and Amanda. The father of this family, James Bowles, although not highly educated at school, was a man of deep reading and deeper observation, and still deeper thought. He held a sympathy and a communion with all nature, and was a lover of man-a philan- thropist. He was active in all enterprises cal- culated for the promotion of the well being of the inhabitants of his adopted county of Rush, and set an example to the younger members of the community by accumulating acres to the number of 1,000, in order to show that in real estate there is a command over the respect of fellow men that is absent when there is no tangi- ble property to show that the individual has at least strained his sinews and bent his thought toward giving an evidence that he meant to deserve and win the esteem of his fellows. He took great interest in educational affairs, and was never niggardly in assisting their ad- vancement. In his early life he was an ardent whig, and a great admirer of Henry Clay, and later became as strong an adherent of Abraham Lincoln. In physical stature he was robust, but of medium build. Sickness was a stranger to him until within a few months of his death, which occurred in his eighty-sixth year, in September, 1892. In religious matters he was as deep thoughted as in worldly affairs, and by the world was thought to be agnostic.

Mrs. Sarah A. (Smith) Bowles, of German parentage, was a woman of strong mind and clear thought, but of devout christian instinet and charitable tendencies. She died at the age of seventy-six, a consistent member of the Christian church.

Thomas J. Bowles was in his early days

inured to farm life among the pioneers of In- diana on his father's homestead, and inherit- ing all his father's intelligence and shrewdness, developed not only the complete farmer but the perfect man. His earlier school days were passed in the subscription schools of his neighborhood, and the thirst for knowledge there acquired was further whetted under the celebrated A. R. Benton, of Fairview, under whom he studied three years. He next en- tered the office of Dr. A. C. Dillon, near Rushville, and for two years gave his whole attention to the study of medicine. In 1858, toward the latter part of the year, he entered the Ohio Medical college at Cincinnati, from which he finally graduated in 1867. His first practice had been at Windsor, Randolph county, Ind., where he made his mark and kept his patients until his return from college in 1867. After another course of study he re- sumed his praetice at Blountsville with re- newed success, until 1874, when he came to Muncie. Here he at once leaped into a fore- most professional position, but his love for study was not satisfied, and another course was taken at Bellevue hospital, New York, and at Chicago (Ill.) Rush Medical college. Thus equipped for the practice of his chosen profession, he has since made Delaware and adjoining counties the scene of his professional triumphs; Muneie, however, has been his home and the seat of his chief success, and here medicine and surgery have found their pro- foundest exponent in him. He was an organ- izer of a number, and is a member of all, the medical socities and associations of the city, county and state, and his lectures and contri- butions have received from the members of them all the most marked attention. In poli- tics he is a republican, but has never been an office seeker nor a partisan. Ardent in his advocacy of principle, he lends a willing hand and voice to the promotion of his party's cause,

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and as early as the days of John C. Fremont's campaign made numerous eloquent and effect- ive speeches in favor of free soil, as republi- canism was then called.

Dr. T. J. Bowles is a man of rare and superior attainments; an extensive reader, especially of works of advanced minds, scien- tific and otherwise; is keenly alive to the interests of humanity; a bitter opponent of dogmatic theology, believing it to be an ene- my to human progress; an agnostic in belief, the doctor is an evolutionist and endorses Darwin's theory to the letter, believing that the evils of the world must be cured by the moral and intellectual growth of mankind; a man with an ardent desire to elevate the standard of intelligence and morality in our own city, and a faithful worker to attain that end, he has been the originator and principal organizer of several societies that have accom- plished great good in this direction, namely -- the Scientific and Literary association; Literary Fireside; Home Circle and Ethical society. His peculiar mental attainments have fitted him for the work in hand. He is probably che best extemporaneous speaker in the city of Muncie. Florid in expression, a good debater, deeply in earnest, frequently sharp and incisive in his remarks, but of the most tolerant dispo- sition; a man of refined tastes, neat in person, temperate and industrious, a good neighbor, a good husband, an indulgent parent and firm friend. His benevolence makes him a philan- thropist. Science, art, ethics and literature absorb his attention and study, and all associ- ations for their culture and promotion meet with his hearty support. He has made him- self acquainted with ancient and modern phil- osophy and various theologies and mythologies, both modern and ancient.

The doctor was married October 14, 1860, to Miss Sophora Spangler, a daughter of Henry and Anna (Reves) Spangler, who resided near

the historic battle ground of Gettysburg, Pa., and were of German descent. Mrs. Bowles was born in March, 1841, and is a member of a family composed of thirteen children, all of whom were remarkable for their physical vigor and the purity of their German characteristics. Her early education was obtained at the com- mon schools of her native state, but her liter- ary training is chiefly due to the doctor. She has been a diligent student and an omniverous reader, and is thoroughly in sympathy with her husband. She is remarkably acute as a critic in the mythologies, the theologies and the philosophies of ancient and modern times, and is altogether companionable. She is the mother of seven children, born in the following order: Herschel, Homer, Ardella, Leora, Ada, Herbert and Herman, of whom, however, Herbert and Ardella are deceased. The doc- tor and his family are most highly esteemed in Muncie, and the refined society of the city is always rejoiced at their presence within its circle.

a HARLES W. BOYCE, the Muncie electrician. was born in Alliance, Ohio, December 27, 1866, and is a son of James and Eliza Boyce, who came to Muncie, Ind., when their son Charles W., with whose name we open this sketch, was but four years of age. The latter received his education in the schools of Muncie and at the Miami Commercial college, Dayton, Ohio. At the age of seventeen he went to Portland, Ore., where for two years he was a pressman in a printing office, and in 1885 clerked for a dry goods house. In 1887 and 1888 he worked as pressman at Des Moines, Iowa, on the State Register, whence he went to Chicago, and for a time was in the press department of Rand, McNally & Co. Next he became a traveling salesman for Randall, Hall & Co.,

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for a brief period, and then engaged for two years as superintendent for his father in his electric plant. Fort Wayne, Ind., was the next scene of his operations, and there he became manager of the Jenney Electric Manu- facturing company, and assisted them in putting in a plant at Evansville, Ind., and cther points. In 1891 the Falher block was burned, and Mr. Boyce was called in to re- wire it. He has ever since been superintend- ent of the Heat, Power & Light company, the plant being now situated at the corner of Elm and Willow streets, Muncie. This com- pany has four Edison incandescent dynamos, two Brush arc dynamos, about five miles of wire, fifty arc lights and 1000 incandescent, with uninterrupted service.

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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 17

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