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 32

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 32
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 32

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).

where he gained an enviable reputation as a thorough and capable instructor. Having pre- viously pursued his legal studies under Messrs. Brown & Polk, attorneys at New Castle, he entered the law department of the State uni- versity in 1869, where he graduated with honors in 1871, in a class of thirty-three, re- ceiving the degree. of LL. B. After leaving the university he studied law during that sum- mer under the instruction and guidance of Hon. Jehu T. Elliot, of New Castle. In the of fall '71 he again accepted the position as su- perintendent of the Middletown schools for another year, at the close of which he began the practice of law in that town and remained there until June of 1874, when he removed to Muncie, where he has since remained in the enjoyment of a large portion of the legal busi- ness of the city and county. For a few years after coming to Muncie, he struggled along with apparently indifferent success, but by dint of industry, pluck, energy and perseverance, he gradually arose to the front rank among the lawyers of the Delaware county bar.

Politically, the judge has been a life-long republican, and at one time was a candidate for the nomination by his party for the state legislature, but was defeated in the contest by the Hon. John W. Ryan. In 1892 he defeat- ed the Hon. J. N. Templer for the nomina- tion for judge of the Forty-sixth judicial cir- cuit of Indiana, at the primary election held in Delaware county, receiving the nomination of his party by a large majority of all the votes cast, and in the fall of that year was elected by a majority of 2, 024 votes over his democrat- ic competitor, the Hon. Chas. W. Kilgore, Rev. E. Holdstock, candidate on the prohibi- tion ticket, receiving a vote of 214. After his election, upon receiving his commission he immediately assumed the duties of his office and has continued to discharge the same with the wisdom and dignity expected of him by the

١٠ ٠٠٤

Yours July George H Koons

Respectfully yours Q. V. H Koons

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people. As a judge he is popular alike with the lawyers and the litigants. He possesses a clear, judicial mind and enunciates his rulings with clearness and impartiality, is strictly up- right and honest and commands the respect and confidence of the people. He is blessed in a high degree with those qualities which are so necessary to success in the profession of law, and has been recognized for many years as a sound advocate, an able, safe and wise counselor and adviser. He is a man of broad, humanitarian views, thoroughly democratic in feeling, and in close sympathy with his fellow men; a lover of all that is real, noble and good in humanity, and a steadfast friend of humble, lowly, well-meaning men in all the walks of life. Fraternally, the judge is a member of the A. O. U. W. and of the Im- proved Order of Red Men, and while at col- lege became a member of the Phi Kappi Psi Greek fraternity. He was a charter member of the Literary and Scientific association of Muncie, out of which grew the Literary Fire- side, the Literary Home Circle, and finally the Ethical society, with the last three of which societies he and his wife have been prominent- ly identified, both being charter members.

He was united in marriage September 6, 1871, to Josinah V. Hickman, daughter of William H. and Clarissa W. Hickman. They have four children, three of whom a e living. He is a kind husband and father, and his home life is a beautiful, quiet, and happy one.

RS. J. V. H. KOONS is number three in a family of nine children. Her father was William H. Hickman, whose mother was Josinah Van- matre Hickman and whose father was Joshua Lewis Hickman, a pioneer Baptist preacher,

and whose grandfather was Ezekiel Hickman, a captain in the Revolutionary war, who mortgaged a tract of land in Alleghany county, Pa., to one Isaac Mason and raised a company of seventy-five men and furnished them with horses at his own expense.

Her mother was Clarissa Williams, daugh- ter of Rachael (Ball) Williams and David Williams of Lebanon, Ohio, whose paternal grandfather was William Williams, who was also a soldier of the Revolution, and came from Wales and was of the family of Roger Williams. From her mother she inherits her taste and talent for poetry. Her childhood was spent in the old home where she was born near Springport, Henry county, Ind. She attended the district schools and availed her- self of the meager advantages they afforded, afterward teaching successfully in the country schools. Once she received fifteen dollars more than the sum she had agreed to teach for, because, in the language of one of the trustees "She has teached the school better than a man could teach it."

She early began to write original verses. The first to receive favorable mention ap- peared in the Lebanon (Ohio) Western Star, February 23, 1860, and since that time, as fancy has dictated or opportunity afforded, she has written stories, sketches and. poems, some of which have gone the rounds of the papers, receiving their full meed of praise.

Little can be said of interest to biography lovers of a woman wholly devoted to her home and domestic duties, doing through all the best years of her life the lowly work that lay be- fore her. Only through her poems may glimpses here and there be had of the heart's struggle and the soul's great hope. She has shown us her creed in her peom entitled "White Days," in which she defines the word as follows: "The creeds are but notes in the world's hymn of praise. "

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The Muncie Times says of her:

MRS. J. V. H. KOONS.

In Indiana's annals,

"In the long

Hereafter of her speech and song,"

besides the names of her Wallace, her Eggles- ton and her Riley, many will stand forth as representatives of all that is best and purest in the literature of our state. Muncie can at least boast one truly inspirational poet in the person of Mrs. J. V. H. Koons. At her beau- tiful home in Riverside she creates without any study or effort those gems of melodious versification which glow with the "humanity of her sympathy," and which show a delight- ful familiarity with all that is artistic, tender and elevating in song. With a magnetic touch she charms the ear and shows the warm and tender heart of noble woman and the friend as well as the true poet. Whatever is best, purest and truest is voiced in her fervid and loving strains.

She is the wife of Judge George H. Koons, and the mother of four children, three of whom are, Clara, Reda, and George Koons, jr. Mary Maud, the eldest, died in babyhood.

The reader will view with pleasure, on the following pages, the life-like portrait of Mrs. J. V. H. Koons, and also that of her husband, Judge George H. Koons.

ILLIAM P. KOONS, a prominent member of the Delaware county bar and a rising lawyer of eastern Indiana, was born in the county of Henry, this state, on the 10th day of Decem- ber, 1862. He is the son of Peter Koons and brother of Hon. G. H. Koons, the present judge of the Delaware circuit court. Mr. Koons attended the country schools and re-

mained on the home farm in Henry county until his fourteenth year, at which early age he began to teach, and was thus employed four consecutive years at the same place. The school over which young Koons exercised super- vision had an unsavory reputation, and before he accepted the position four teachers had already been compelled to withdraw on ac- count of the insubordination of a class of young men who attended for the purpose of creating a disturbance. Mr. Koons' success as an instructor is attested by the fact that, during the four terms which he taught at that point, he was never compelled to resort to cor- poral punishment of any kind, a record unpre- cedented in that locality. Subsequently Mr. Koons attended three successive years the Muncie high school, after which he resumed educational work, teaching six terms in Henry county at the towns of Messick and Hillsboro, reading law in the meantime with his brother, Hon. George H. Koons, of Muncie. After becoming familiar with the principles of his profession he was admitted to the bar in 1889, and began the practice with his brother, with whom he remained until appointed, by Joseph Leffler, deputy prosecuting attorney. He dis- charged the duties of that position in a very able and satisfactory manner until the election of his brother to the judgeship, after which he resigned and took charge of the latter's exten- sive legal business, and has been one of the active practitioners at the Muncie bar ever since. Mr. Koons is ambitious and zealous in his chosen profession, and as a rising lawyer has undoubtedly a promising future. He is well grounded in the principles of the law, is a ready advocate, a wise and safe counselor, and his abilities are frequently recognized by his retention in many important and intricate cases. Mr. Koons was married June 28, 1892, to Miss Jennie, daughter of Samuel and Cath- erine (Allender) Downs, of Hillsboro, Ind.

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EORGE F. LEAGER, deceased, the famous restaurateur of Muncie, was born in Caroline county, Maryland, August 12, 1840. His parents, Ris- dom and Susan (Digging) Leager, were also natives of Maryland and were mar- ried in 1835. The father, however, died eleven years later, leaving his widow with two sons, George F. and Thomas, and a daughter, Mary. George F. Leager was reared on the old homestead and early inured to hard work on the farm before the war, he being the oldest male member of the family after his father's death. At the outbreak of hostilities he en- listed in company D, First regiment Maryland Eastern Shore volunteers, September 11, 1861, and served until honorably discharged, Novem- ber 2, 1864. He participated in the battle of Gettysburg and others, but was chiefly on duty in guarding the peninsula of Maryland and Virginia. While thus employed he there met, in 1861, Miss Sarah E. Melson, a daugh- ter of John and Margaret (Kelley) Melson, who reside at Accomac C. H., she being then but thirteen years of age. Mr. Leager was at that time suffering from some slight disability incurred in the performance of his duty as guard, and was in the habit of calling at the dwelling of the Melson family to obtain supplies of butter, milk, etc., and thus during his year's detail as guard, an acquaintanceship sprang up between himself and the young lady. Af- ter the war was over Mr. Leager entered a dry goods store at Greensboro, Md., where he was employed some time as clerk, and, in 1871, came to Muncie, where he engaged as dry-goods clerk for B. Smith for a year.

In 1872 he started a lunch room and con- fectionery in the Patterson block, opposite the Walnut street opera house, and at once be- came popular with the public. He began with a capital of $600 or $700, but his place became a favorite resort, and he kept the

same room seventeen years. In the mean- time, about 1874, a brother-in-law, Rev. R. C. Jones, who had been in the same regiment with Mr. Leager, had occasion to visit Virgin- ia, and while in that state called on the Mel- son family, met the young lady, who was but a mere child when Mr. Leager had been doing guard duty, and found her still single. Mr. Jones recalled to her mind the Yankee soldier (if, indeed, she needed any reminder) and sug- gested a correspondence. The suggestion was adopted and the result was the union, in 1878, of the southern belle with the northern war- rior.

Mr. Leager, however, had been in delicate health ever after leaving the army, and August 2, 1890, succumbed to the disorder therein incurred, at the age of fifty years, lacking ten days. He was an active member of the High street Methodist Episcopal church, was a class leader, and a member of the official board for many years. He was also a charter member of the Improved Order of Red Men of Muncie, and a member of the Royal Arca- num and the G. A. R. Mr. Leager had been the mainstay of his widowed mother from the time of his father's death, and the support of the other bereaved members of the family. He brought them all with him to Muncie in 1871, and here the mother passed away in April, 1888, at the age of seventy-three years, a devout Methodist.

J OSEPH G. LEFFLER, a prominent lawyer of Muncie and prosecuting at- torney of Delaware county, was born in Hamilton township, Delaware county, Ind., December 26, 1864, son of Philip and Mary (Girard) Leffler, natives of Ohio, both of whom were brought to this state by their par- ents in early childhood. The mother of Joseph

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G. died when he was but four years of age. Philip Leffler has always been engaged in ag- ricultural pursuits in Hamilton township, where his father, also named Philip Leffler, settled many years ago, having been one of the pio- neers of that section. The latter purchased a large tract of land of the government in the township of Hamilton, developed a fine farm, and in connection with agriculture carried on the tanner's trade, in both of which he was very successful. The father of Joseph G. Leffler was a stanch republican in his political belief, and proved his loyalty to his country, in 1863, by enlisting and serving gallantly until the close of the rebellion. Two of his three children are still living, namely: James Harvey, a hardware merchant of Albany, and Joseph G. Joseph G. Leffler passed the years of his youth and early manhood on his father's farm, received his primary education in the public schools, with some further instruction at the Danville Normal, but he is chiefly self-educated. When eighteen years of age he was sufficiently advanced in his studies to secure a teacher's license, and was employed four consecutive terms as teacher of the Center school, Hamil- ton township, where he earned a reputation of a careful and painstaking instructor.

In 1884 he began reading law in the office of W. W. Orr and J. C. Mallette, was admit- ted to the Delaware county bar in 1888, and by diligent attention to his profession soon won for himself a conspicuous place among the successful attorneys of Muncie. Politically Mr. Leffler is, like his father before him, a re- publican, and takes an active interest in the welfare of the party, which, recognizing his efficient services, has rewarded him by an election to an important official position. In 1890 he was elected to the office of county prosecutor, and in November, 1892, was honored by a re-election to the same position, the duties of which he has discharged in a

manner highly creditable to himself and satis- factory to the people of the county. Mr. Leffler is an active political worker, an effect- ive and forcible speaker, and his ability in this direction has been very effectually employed in a number of campaigns. He is well informed in the principles of his profession, untiring in his efforts to mete out justice to violators of the law, and has before him a future fraught with much promise. Fraternally, Mr. Leffler is a member of Welcome lodge, Knights of Pythias, is identified with the Improved Order of Red Men, belongs to the Sons of Veterans, and is a charter member of the Ancile club. In 1890 Mr. Leffler and Miss Laura Emerson, daugh- ter of Joseph Emerson, were united in the holy bonds of wedlock, to which marriage one child, Mary Eugenia, has been born. Mrs. Leffler is a valued member of the First Baptist church and is one of the popular ladies of Muncie.

J OHN OSBORN LEWELLEN .- The county of Delaware, Ind., has within its borders many men of prominence in business circles, well known manufact- urers, skillful physicians and lawyers of state reputation; and she is not lacking in those who have obtained prominence on account of intellectual merit in other and just as impor- tant callings. Among the latter Prof. John Lewellen, the present efficient county superin- tendent of schools, occupies a conspicuous place. Prof. Lewellen's birth occurred in the town of Smithfield, Liberty township, Dela- ware conty, Ind., on the 31st of July, 1852, a son of Z. M. and Sarah Ann (Truitt) Lewellen, natives of Virginia and Indiana, and of Welsh and English lineage respectively. These par- ents settled in Delaware county a number of years ago; the mother died June 3, 1893, but

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the father is still living, being among the old and substantial residents of Selma, Liberty township. Prof. Lewellen is the eldest of a family of six children. He was reared in Liberty and Harrison townships, and enjoyed excellent educational advantages, attending first the schools of the township and subse- quently the Methodist college at Xenia, Ohio, the National Normal school of Lebanon, the same state, and the Northern Indiana Normal at Valparaiso, Ind., in the last named of which he finished the scientific course, graduating in 1877. Following this excellent preparation, Prof. Lewellen taught one term of school at the town of Eaton, and then accepted a simi- lar position at Albany, where he followed the profession successfully for a period of six years, conducting a normal school for teachers in the meantime. In 1883 he was elected county superintendent of Delaware county, and has since discharged the duties of that position in a highly satisfactory manner, hav- ing been unanimously re-elected each succeed- ing term, which fact is not only a compliment to his ability as an official, but attests his great personal popularity with the people.

Prof. Lewellen is a man of great force of character, possesses executive ability of a very high order, and under his able supervision the schools of the county have been brought to their present state of efficiency. The recent improvements in the grading of the country schools have been brought about altogether by his efforts, and through his influence, a class of teachers of exceptional professional ability has been secured, and the present high standard attained by the schools of Delaware county will compare favorably with that of any other part of the state. Mr. Lewellen is the originator of an outline course of study for district schools, which he has had copy- righted, and which is being extensively adopted in a number of counties of Indiana

and other states. As a school official, Prof. Lewellen is widely and favorably known throughout Indiana, and his suggestions per- taining to matters educational are respectfully listened to in all the conventions of county superintendents which he attends. Politically, he is a republican, and as such wields a potent influence for his party in Delaware county. He is a member of the Literary Fireside, and of the Pythian fraternity, in the latter of which he is past chancellor. He also belongs to Heart and Hand lodge, No. 361, of Albany, I. O. O. F., being past grand in the same, and is an active member of Muncie tribe, No. 144, of Red Men, also of F. &. A. M. Prof. Lewellen was united in marriage December 25, 1877, to Miss Huldah Eleanor Crampton, daughter of Mahlon Crampton, of Harrison township, to which union two chil- dren have been born, namely: Albert Ross and Harry Crampton Lewellen. Mr. and Mrs. Lewellen are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church, and for the past two years have been teachers in the Sunday school. While residing in Albany, Prof. Lewellen officiated as Sunday school superintendent, and did much in awakening and keeping alive the religious interest in that place.

3 OHN W. LITTLE, a prominent real estate dealer of Muncie, was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pa., March 13, 1844, the son of John L. and Mary A. (Wilson) Little. John L. Little was a native of New Jersey, born in the year 1818, and his ancestors for several generations lived in that state. His parents were John and Mercy (Herbert) Little, both natives of New Jersey and the father a farmer by occupation. John L. Little also was reared on a farm, and when a young man learned the saddler's trade,

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which he followed successfully in the city of Philadelphia. In after years he engaged in general merchandising for a coal company in the interior of the state, but subsequently re- turned to Philadelphia, where he engaged in business, and in the spring of 1858 came to Muncie, Ind., where until 1866 he dealt quite extensively in dry goods. In the latter year he began dealing in sewing machines, and was thus employed until 1870, at which time he began the manufacture of feather dusters, es- tablishing the first and only enterprise of the kind ever operated in the city of Muncie. He disposed of his interest in this concern in 1882, and opened an insurance office and did a very flourishing business in that line until 1892, on September 16 of which year his death oc- curred. He was married in the city of Phila- delphia, in 1840, to Mary Ann Wilson, who bore him five children, namely: William L., boot and shoe dealer of Muncie; John W., whose name introduces this sketch; H. W., deceased; Mary, wife of Dr. A. J. Finney; and D. B. F., of Elwood, Ind. The mother of these children, at the age of sixty-eight years, died in Muncie. Mr. Little was a man of local prominence in Delaware county, took an active part in the material development of Muncie, and erected several buildings which are among the most substantial in the city. He was noted for his eminent social qualities, which made him popular with all, and his be- nevolence endeared him to a number of fami- lies of Muncie that received many tokens of his favor. He was the first man to introduce . the use of coal oil in this city, and, in partner- ship with Thomas E. Neely, bought the first sewing machine that was ever used in Dela- ware county. Following are the names of the brothers and sisters of John L. Little: Gilbert C., J. H., Maria, Catherine, Ann, Hannah L., Elizabeth and Jane, all deceased but Hannah, Elizabeth and Jane.

John W. Little spent the first fourteen years of his life in his native state, where he received his early educational training, and in 1858 accompanied his father to Muncie, in the schools of which city he pursued his studies until the breaking out of the late rebellion. In August, 1861, he responded to the country's call for volunteers, enlisting in company B, Thirty-sixth Indiana volunteer infantry, for the three years' service. He was with his com- mand until honorably discharged, September, 1864, at Indianapolis, a period of three years and one month, during which time he partici- pated in a number of bloody battles, including Shiloh, Perryville, Murfreesboro, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Chickamauga, and the various engagements of the Atlanta cam- paign. In 1864, at Resaca, Ga., he received a severe wound in the arm, which necessitated his remaining in the hospital for a period of three months. After his discharge, he returned to Muncie and embarked in the dry goods business, which he continued until 1866, when he went to Chicago, thence to Memphis, Tenn., where he clerked in a dry goods house until 1868. From the latter year until 1871, he traveled for a sewing machine company, selling machines and attachments, and then became a partner with his father in the manufacture of feather dusters at Muncie, a relationship which continued until 1882, when the son became sole proprietor. After operating his factory until 1889, he sold out to Chicago parties, and engaged in real estate and loan business, to which he has since devoted his entire attention, and in which he has met with most gratifying success.

Mr. Little was married, in 1866, to Miss Flora Case, who died January 2, 1868. On the IIth day of June, 1871, Mr. Little was united in marriage to Miss Cornelia Long- streth of Lebanon, Ohio, who departed this life on the 16th day of June, 1889. Mr.

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Little's third marriage was solemnized on the 28th day of December, 1891, in Muncie, with Miss Eva Hageman of Lebanon, Ohio, daugh- ter of Joseph and Amanda J. Hageman. Mr. Little has been a member of the I. O. O. F. for twenty-five years, and is a member of the G. A. R. of Muncie, his name appearing on the charter of the post of this city. From 1885 to 1887 and from 1890 to 1892, he was a member of the common council of Muncie, and, during that time, looked after the city's interest by promoting some very important municipal legislation. A republican in politics, he has never sought official recognition, but his party has always found in him a wise coun- selor and earnest supporter. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian creed, and he and wife are active members of the congrega- tion worshiping in Muncie. Possessing an active mind and having been trained to habits of industry, Mr. Little has made a success of life, and in the city of Muncie, where so many of his years have been passed, few enjoy the confidence and esteem of the public in a more generous degree. He is always interested in everything that pertains to the welfare of the city and county, and his many sterling quali- ties of manhood have rendered him one of Muncie's most useful and respected citizens.

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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 32

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