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 29

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 29
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 29

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).

was complimented by an offer of its presiden- tial office, but was compelled to decline the honor on account of professional duties, which required his close and constant attention. He is also a member of the Delaware District soci- ety, the State Medical society and the American Medical association, to the last named of which he has been chosen delegate a number of times. His connection with the Masonic order is very prominent, having served in different official capacities at different times, and in 1891 was elected worshipful master of Delaware lodge, No. 46. He is considered one of the brightest blue lodge Masons in Muncie, and is widely and favorably known in the order throughout the state. The doctor is a charter member of Walterhouse camp, S. of V., and was also an original member of New Castle lodge, S. of V., in the organization of which he took an active part. For the past two years he has been surgeon of the Indiana division, and in 1890 was the accredited delegate at large for the state of Indiana to the national command- ery, which convened at St. Joseph, Mo. In addition to the above fraternal orders, Dr. Jackson is also a member of Twa Twa tribe of Red Men, in which he is as active as in the other societies with which he is so prominently identified.

Politically the doctor is a republican, and manifests a lively interest in public affairs. He has been successful financially, having by close attention to his profession succeeded in accumulating a valuable property, his real estate holdings in Muncie being considerable. In 1892 he was made health officer, being the first official of the kind in the city, and he has since discharged the duties of the position with commendable fidelity. In 1883 Dr. Jackson was united in marriage with Miss Jesse Ice, daughter of E. T. Ice, of Mt. Sum- mit, Ind., to which union two children have

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been born, Lola J. and Sarah R. The family are members of the First Baptist church and are among the esteemed residents of Muncie, where they enjoy the respect and esteem of a large circle of friends.

ILTON JAMES, M. D., late a prom- inent physician of Muncie, was born March 4, 1836, near the city of Greenfield, Ross county, Ohio, and was one of fourteen children born to Reuben and Mary James. Eight of these children are living at this time, five brothers and three sisters. Dr. James was reared on a farm and acquired, during his minority, a fair education, and before reaching manhood's estate entered the office of Dr. Milton Dun- lap, an eminent physician of eastern Ohio, with whom he began the study of medicine. After a thorough course of reading, he entered the Ohio Medical college, from which well known institution he graduated in the year 1859. After completing his medical course he returned to the office of Dr. Dunlap, with whom he effected a co-partnership in the prac- tice of his profession. It was during this time, and before going into the army, that the doctor passed through a severe spell of sick- ness, which was the cause of much suffer- ing and distress in later years. After recover- ing his health, Dr. James enlisted, in Decem- ber, 1863, as surgeon, and was assigned to the Eighth division, Mississippi squadron, with headquarters on the United States war ship, Brilliant. He continued in the service until November 20, 1865, when he was honorably discharged and returned to his former home in Ohio. After a short visit among friends and the scenes of his boyhood days, a trip was taken throughout the west, during which he made a visit to Muncie, where several acquaint-

ances of his had previously settled. It was while making this visit that he concluded to open an office in Muncie, and in the spring of 1866 his shingle, bearing the inscription, "Doctor M. James," was tacked on his office door. In the following year, although a stanch democrat, he had so won the esteem and confidence of the people that he was elected coroner of the county, which position he held for two years. He also served the people as county physician for a term of years, and was a member of the city council for some time, having been elected from a republican ward.

In the year 1874 Dr. James was elected, by the Indiana legislature, as one of the trustees of the Deaf and Dumb asylum of the state, and was again elected in 1876 and 1880, serving continuously in that ca- pacity for a period of ten years, eight years of which time he was treasurer of the board. No breath of suspicion was ever breathed against his honesty, integrity, or capability, and when he servered his con- nection with the asylum, in 1884, the record made was without spot or blemish. Dr. James was always regarded an earnest and hard working democrat, and he served his party in Delaware county for twenty years as chairman of the county central committee, and only relinquished the position at his own request. He was continued in party work, however, as one of the election commissioners, which position he held at the time of his death. After the election of Pres. Cleve- land, 1884, at the request of friends, Dr. James became a candidate for commissioner of pensions, his claim being pressed by many old soldiers of the state. He failed, however, of the appointment, but was offered by the president a deputy commissionership, which he declined. He was afterwards tendered the Muncie postoffice appointment and later a

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position in the interior department at Washing- ton, but saw fit to decline both these honors.

In politics, the doctor was a devoted ad- herent to his party and a recognized leader, and while he took a prominent part in all political contests, yet his genial and forgiving disposition won confidence, esteem and friendship, that set aside all feelings of party differences, thus marking him as a man of big heart and generous disposition. In his pro- fession, Dr. James stood high as a successful practitioner, and at the time he was taken sick he was one of the oldest physicians in the city. It was his devotion to his patients, whether rich or poor, that acquired for him a reputation unconfined to classes, and while possessed of a large practice, yet his generous disposition was such that he never acquired more than a comfortable competency in a quarter-century in his profession. He was a charter member of the DeEmber tribe of Red Men, in the deliberations of which order he always took an active and prominent part. Dr. James was united in marriage to Martha M. Kennedy, youngest daughter of the late Hon. Andrew Kennedy, on the 29th of Octo- ber, 1867. Andrew Kennedy was a member of congress from Indiana from 1841 to 1847, and in the latter year received the democratic caucus nomination of the Indiana legislature for United States senator, but died before being elected to that body. Dr. and Mrs. James had born to them four children: Philip, Pearl, Ned and Fanny, the two former dying in childhood. Ned was born August 31, 1876, and Fannie July 6, 1880, and both survive to mourn with the mother and wife the great loss of husband and father, a trial and sorrow that none can know except where like afflictions have been sustained. Dr. James died on the Ist day of April, 1891, and his death was felt as an almost irreparable loss by all classes in the city which had so long been his home.

A BBOTT L. JOHNSON, one of the prominent and successful business men of Muncie, Ind., and one who has been largely instrumental in develop- ing her resourses, was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., August 26, 1852, a son of Henry I. and Eliza (Ferguson) Johnson, both parents natives of the same state. Mr. Johnson, Sr., was engaged in agricultural pursuits in New York, but subsequently, in 1864, removed to Ashtabula, Ohio, at which date he retired from active business life. In 1881 the family once more removed, locating in Muncie, Ind., in which city the father departed this life in 1886, but where his widow still resides. Mrs. Johnson is a devout member of the Methodist church and has raised a famlly of eight children, the subject of this mention being the seventh in order of birth.

Abbott L. Johnson was reared in Ashta- bula, Ohio, from the age of twelve to twenty- one, and received his education in the public schools. On attaining his majority he started in business for himself, locating at Bluffton, Ind., where he engaged in the timber trade. He had previously been engaged with the Bentwood works at Ashtabula, and he located at Bluffton for the purpose of assisting in starting a plant in that place, which was afterwards disposed of to J. H. Smith & Co., now of Muncie. Soon after starting the Bent- wood works he engaged in the lumber busi- ness, remaining in Bluffton four years, at the end of which time he removed to Montpelier, associating with himself Mr. J. T. Arnold, doing business under the firm name and style of A. L. Johnson & Co., for seven years, two years of which Mr. Johnson spent in Montpe- lier. He then engaged extensively in the lum- ber business, forming a partnership of seven years' duration with J. T. Arnold, which firm soon became widely and favorably known in business circles throughout the United States.

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On locating in Muncie, in 1878, he erected a lumber mill, and, in partnership with Mr. Arnold, operated two mills under the firm name A. L. Johnson & Co., until 1885, at which time he purchased the entire interest and became associated with his brother, J. C. Johnson, and the firm thus constituted still exists, being one of the leading enterprises of the city.

In 1883, Mr. Johnson, in partnership with Mr. W. F. Hitchcock, engaged in the manu- facture of skewers, etc., and they now do an extensive business under the firm name of the Muncie Skewer company. Mr. Johnson is one of the principal stockholders of the Muncie Natural Gas company, being vice-president of the same, and is a stockholder in the Muncie Water Works company, the Conger Land company and the Indiana Iron company. In addition to the above enterprises, he is identi- fied with the Citizens' Enterprise company, in the organization of which he was a potent factor; is president of the Live Poultry Trans- portation company, of Chicago, which owns one hundred and fifty cars for the transporta- tion of poultry, and is also interested as a stockholder in the Ashtabula Water Works company, of Ashtabula, Ohio. Beside the flourishing and important enterprises enumer- ated, Mr. Johnson, in partnership with George F. McCulloch, is largely interested in real estate transactions, owning Johnson's first and second additions to Muncie, also being inter- ested in the Gray's addition, one of the very best in the city.

Throughout his long and successful busi- ness career Mr. Johnson has been actuated by the most honorable principles, and his success, indeed very flattering, is the result of carefully planned purposes and dignified business trans- actions. In business circles he enjoys much more than a local reputation, and to such men is due the credit of promoting the growth and

prosperity of the enterprising cities of the gas belt, of which Muncie may be taken as a type.

In his political affiliations Mr. Johnson is a republican. In the Masonic order he stands high, having become a member of the chap- ter, commandery, Scottish rite and of the Mystic Shrine, and he not only bears the honors of these degrees, but his daily life is a practical exemplification of their precepts.

Mr. Johnson was married, in 1872, to Miss Florence Merriman, daughter of Chas. Merri- man of Ashtabula, Ohio; a family of three children has blessed this union, namely: J. Edgar, Ray P. and Florence Grace. The family are members of the First Baptist church of Muncie, in which Mr. Johnson holds the offices of deacon and trustee. He was chairman of the building committee of the new church and contributed liberally, both in time and money, to the successful completion of the beautiful edifice in which the congrega- tion now worships.

J OHN C. JOHNSON .- The thriving city of Muncie, Ind., is very proud of the long list of prosperous and successful business men who have shown such an enterprising and progressive spirit, and have caused the advancement of the place beyond all reasonable expectations. Among those who have largely contributed to the progress of the city, John C. Johnson deserves extended mention. He was born in Albany county, N. Y., May 21, 1843, son of Henry I .. and Ellax (Ferguson) Johnson.

At the age of seven years, he accompanied his parents to Herkimer county, N. Y., where he received a common school education, and at the age of seventeen he enlisted in the Union army, entering company K, Forty-fourth New York, known as the "Ellsworth Avengers,"

Vonly ouvi

MRS. A. L. JOHNSON ..

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and served one year. Being wounded at the battle of Hanover Court House, he was sent to the Albany, N. Y., hospital, and from there to the Lexington Avenue hospital, in New York city, from which he was discharged, after recovery. His school days having been so rudely interrupted, he felt the advisability of continuing his studies, consequently he en- tered the Boys' academy at Albany, N. Y., where he continued for two years, making . rapid progress in the meantime. Following this, he took a course at Bryant & Stratton's Commercial college, and then entered the quartermaster's department at City Point, Va., under Captain C. E. Jones, in which capacity he continued until the close of the war.

The next business which Mr. Johnson undertook was a clerkship with the lumber firm of H. W. Sage & Co , of Albany, N. Y., continuing for fifteen years with the same house (with the exception of a short time when he acted as bookkeeper for D. Weidman & Co., wholesale grocers) and thus obtained a thorough knowledge of the lumber business in - all of its details. In 1882, he removed to Bridgeport, Conn., and became one of the organizers of the Bridgeport Lumber company, and was made secretary and treasurer of the same. He sold his interests in that concern in 1884, and purchased an interest in the firm of A. L. Johnson & Co., of Muncie, moving to this city in that year and immediately be- coming interested in public matters. He was one of the organizers of the Muncie Skewer company, and in 1891 engaged in the manu- facture of mineral paints and felt roofing, which business was placed in a stock company organized in 1892 and known as the Muncie Paint & Roofing company, of which he has since acted as president. He was formerly a stockholder in the Indiana Bridge company, but sold his interest in that in 1891, and is now a stockholder and one of the prime movers in

the Live Poultry Stock Car company, and is also largely interested in real estate, particu- larly in the Johnson and McCulloch additions to the city of Muncie. He is also stockholder and director in the Farmers' National bank and the same in the Delaware County Building, Savings & Loan association. Mr. Johnson is a representative type of that substantial class of business men who, in a great measure, mold the welfare of the country, for upon the efforts of such citizens depend, in a large degree, the vital interests of the people. Actuated by the loftiest motives, he has ever conducted his transactions in an honorable manner, in consequence of which his reputa- tion in business circles is that of an upright and dignified christian gentleman.

Politically, Mr. Johnson is a republican, and has served as a member of the city coun- cil for the past four years, in which body he has been chairman of the finance, street, light, and a member of the sewer and drainage com- mittees. Fraternally, Mr. Johnson is a mem- ber of the A. F. & A. M., chapter and com- mandery, and a member of the George S. Dawson post, No. 63, G. A. R., of Albany, N. Y.

In 1873, Mr. Johnson and Miss Martha J. Hutchison, daughter of David Hutchison, of Albany, N. Y., were united in the holy bonds of wedlock, and one child, Mary E., has been born to their union. He and wife are active members of the First Presbyterian church, of Muncie, of which Mr. Johnson is a trustee and member of the building committee.

1858.

EORGE R. JONES, one the ener- getic men of Muncie, dealer in gen- eral groceries, is a native of this city, and dates his birth from October 3, His father, Thomas Jones, was born

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in Greene county, Ohio, March, 1828; married, in 1850, Eliza Coffin, and, immediately thereafter located in Muncie and engaged in coopering, which trade he followed the greater part of his life. He is now living a life of retirement in North View, Muncie, and can easily recall the time when this flourishing city was but a country town of a few hundred inhabitants. He is a democrat in politics, and a member of the Methodist Protestant church; his wife belongs to the Christian church, and they are both highly regarded by their many friends and neighbors in Muncie. George R. Jones received his educational training in the country schools of Centre town- ship, Delaware county, and, before attaining his majority, learned the trade of coopering with his father, and became quite a skilled workman. He followed his chosen calling un- til his twenty-second year, and then accepted a clerkship in the grocery and feed store of J. P. Adamson, of Muncie, in which capacity he continued for a period of eight years, acquiring a thorough knowledge of every detail of the business in the meantime. Subsequently, in partnership with his employer, Mr. Adamson, he purchased the property on Walnut street now owned by Gilpin & Whetsel, and for five years sold groceries very successfully. In 1891 he moved to the corner of Howard and Liberty streets, where he purchased a lot and erected a comfortable and commodious store room, which is well stocked with a full line of choice groceries, notions, etc., and has since done a very comfortable and safe business. In fact, Mr. Jones is a successful tradesman, con- sults the wishes of his numerous customers, and always keeps on hand a full line of gro- ceries, etc., found in first class establishments of the kind. His store is well patronized, and Mr. Jones is certainly entitled to great credit for the active part he has taken in the com- mercial and industrial developement of Mun-

cie. He is what may truthfully be termed an enterprising business man, and his popularity has for years been a matter of comment among his fellow tradesmen of the city. Mr. Jones was married February 16, 1888, to Mag- gie McConnel, a native of Delaware county, Ind., daughter of David and Christina (Saun- ders) McConnel. Mr. and Mrs. Jones live in a beautiful home on Liberty street and they have a great many friends in Muncie. Mr. Jones is a democrat in politics and a member of the Pythian fraternity; Mrs. Jones is a com- municant of the Christian church.

EVI J. JONES, general contractor, Muncie, Ind., was born in Owen county, Ind., on a farm, January 23, 1847, and is a son of Warren and Sarah (Stauffer) Jones, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Pennsylvania. When Levi J. was a lad of fifteen, the family settled on a farm in Randolph county, Ind., on which he was reared until reaching man- hood. At his majority, he became owner of a farm in Washington township, Randolph county, on which he lived until 1883, when he sold out and moved to Muncie, Delaware county, where he teamed for two years, and then began taking contracts for street improve- ments, cellar excavations, and other work of like character, including the City, Anthony, Ball and Opera House blocks, Young & Kess- ler's, Darnell's, Wachtell's excavations, and those for the public schools; Maring Hart glass works; crushed stone on Ohmer avenue, Blaine, Tenth, Walnut, Hackley and Main streets, Kirby avenue and many others; side- walks on Berlin street; constructed the McCul- loch boulevard and all the principal streets in Whitely's first and second additions; has em- ployed from fifteen to twenty men, run six

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teams of his own and hired ten to forty others. He has planned and built his own handsome residence on west Jackson street, and has also had erected five houses on five acres of ground on west Main street. In years gone by he also had a contract for several thousand cross-ties for the railroad from Richmond to Portland, and, later, a contract with the Grand Rapids & Indiana road for a hundred and fifty cords per month for two years.

The marriage of Mr. Jones took place, in 1871, in Randolph county, to Miss Mary A. Wood (sister of W. H. H. Wood, city engi- neer), a native of Richmond, Ind. To this union have been born eight children, viz: Nel- lie, Jessie (died at eighteen months), Walter, Frances, Thomas, Clara, Minnie and Ruby. The parents of Mr. Jones came to Indiana with their parents, located in Wayne county, moved to Owen, and then to Randolph coun- ty. The father is now seventy-three years of age and the mother seventy. They have had born to them eleven children, viz: Melvina (Mrs. Hinsnaw), died at the age of thirty; Levi J .; John Henry, farmer of Randolph county; Edmond, farmer of Jay county; Jacob, teacher in Muncie; Granville, farmer in Randolph county; Lizzie, at home, unmarried; Ruth Ellen, wife of Mr. Duke, farmer of Wayne county; Herod, painter, Cheyenne, Wyo .; Hannah (Bryant), whose husband is a farmer in Randolph county, and Sarah, wife of a farmer of Wayne county, Ind.

Mr. Jones has acquired an enviable reputa- tion as a contractor, gives the strongest secur- ity for the faithful performance of his work, invariably makes his promises good, and does his work in the best manner possible and always in accordance with the specifications in every respect, and is always promptly on time. His name stands without a blemish both as a business man and a citizen, and his position in society is all that could be desired.

S TEPHEN C. KEESLING, proprietor of an establishment for the manufac- ture of vulcanized rubber roofing, one of the well known enterprises of Mun- cie, is a native of Delaware county, Ind., born February 2, 1850, son of Martin and Coressal Keesling, well known residents. Mr. Keesling's boyhood days were spent amid the routine of farm labor until his seventeenth year, and he received an education in the common schools, which he attended at intervals until attaining his majority. He remained with his parents until his twenty. first year, at which time he began life for himself, working for a short time at different occupations, and then turned his attention to the mercantile business, which he carried on for a limited period in Muncie. Later he was interested in different enter- prises, and in 1886 went to California, where, for four years, he was overseer of a marble quarry, in which he also purchased an inter- est. At the end of the time noted, he re- turned to Indiana, and, for one year thereafter was engaged in merchandising in the city of Anderson, and then opened a merchant tailor- ing establishment in Muncie, which business he carried on until the early part of 1892. In that year he began the manufacture of the well known composition, vulcanized rubber roofing, which he still carries on, and which, as already stated, has become one of the well known and popular enterprises of Muncie. Mr. Keesling's business is already of large proportions and the permancy of his establishment in Muncie is already an assured fact. He has a large pat- ronage the city and the product of his factory is being quite extensively introduced through- out the United States and elsewhere.

Mr. Keesling is an earnest supporter of the republican party and a prominent member of the order of Red Men. He was married in Muncie to Catharine M. Eber, daughter of Henry Eber. One child was born to this

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union-Ray, deceased-and Mrs. Keesling de- parted this life June 18, 1891.

ENRY J. KELLER, so prominent among the self made men of the gas belt of Indiana, was born August 15, 1861, in Winchester, Randolph coun- ty. His father, George Godfried Keller, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, June 8, 1827, came to the United States in 1852, and located in Bucyrus, Ohio, where he met and married Elizabeth Kayser. After spending two years in Bucyrus, Mr. Keller removed to Winches- ter, Ind., where he was engaged in the boot and shoe business until the spring of 1869, at which date he embarked in the retail grocery trade. In 1883 he retired from business and is now spending his days in the city of Win- chester. George G. Keller has been an active man of affairs and has borne a conspicuous part in the material developement of the city in which he resides, owning considerable prop- erty, including residences and two business blocks. He has been a leading member of the German Evangelical church for a number of years, is a geat reader, and ranks among the most intelligent and progressive men of the county of Randolph.

Henry J. Keller was reared in Winchester and spent his youthful years alternately in the city and on the farm. A common school edu- cation and the practical knowledge gained in his father's store ended in the development of an aptitude for mercantile pursuits, and while still young he became a clerk for a dry goods and clothing firm in Winchester. Subse- quently he was similarly employed with var- ious business houses of that city, and in Janu- ary, 1888, he came to Muncie and entered into partnership with George W. Bliss, of Indian- apolis, in the retail clothing trade, opening a

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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 29

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