USA > Indiana > Delaware County > A portrait and biographical record of Delaware county, 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
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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.
3 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
D. g. Bowles M.A.
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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 tne 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 instinct 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 practice 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; Muncie, 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 the 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.
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.
Mr. Boyce was married, in 1889, to Miss Minnie, daughter of Charles P., and Nancy (Humphries) Thomas, of Fortville, Ind., the union being blessed with one child, James G. Mrs. Boyce is a lady of remarkable literary talent, and the following extract from a metro- politan daily· will give an adequate idea of some of her work in this line:
"Tragedies, comedies, romances are being lived all around us-it is the art of the story teller to give our every day experiences that touch of nature which makes all the world akin. Hoosier life is fertile and teeming with an element which is found nowhere else; a humorous and a pathetic side which delights the world at large, and from this element springs the popularity of our own inimitable James Whitcomb Riley. No less popular are the wholesome and clever story delineations of Minnie Thomas Boyce. Her 'Punkin Holler' sketches, first appearing in the Chicago Inter Ocean, have been widely copied and no less widely admired. 'Bertha Jane,' which was published in the Ladies' Home Journal, is a story of much power. Mrs. Boyce adds to her talent as a story writer fine abilities as an
elocutionist. She writes her own recitations and never fails to delight an audience. She composes rapidly and is more fortunate than most young writers in that she finds a ready market for MSS. Most of writers have their special hours for composition, her's are in the evening when the cares of the day are over. Mrs. Boyce has on hand a series of 'Hoosier Stories' which will appear in book form in the near future ; her original recitations may also be given to the public at a later date. She gives great promise in the developement of that western literature of which we are so justly proud and which is second to none in the world of literary art."
LLISON B. BRADBURY, M. D., deceased, was born in Wayne coun- ty, Ind., September 17, 1842, and was one of fourteen children born to Abner M. and Mary (Boyd) Bradbury. Alli- son B. Bradbury received his preparatory edu- cation in the public schools of his native county, and this was supplemented by a course in the Ann Arbor (Mich.) university. After graduating from the medical department of that institution of learning he entered on the practice of his chosen profession at Milton, Wayne county, Ind., in the spring of 1865, having taught school for several years just prior to his finally engaging in practice. In 1868 and 1869 he attended the college of Physicians and Surgeons, at Brooklyn, N. Y., for which he had been prepared by a course of study under Dr. Griffis, of Middletown, Ind., and in February, 1872, resumed his practice at Milton, Ind., for a short time, afterward re- siding at Cambridge City, Ind., where he met with flattering success, and felt justified in re- maining until 1879, when he was called to the more extensive and remunerative field of Mun-
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cie, where he held a prominent position in the practice until his death, January 23, 1892. The marriage of the doctor was a most felici- tous one and took place July 26, 1863, to Miss Sarah Burr, who was born in Middletown, Ind., September 9, 1843, the daughter of Chauncy and Jane (Williams) Burr, both pio- neers of Henry county, Ind., the former a tan- ner by trade, and one of the most highly re- spected citizens of Henry county, in which he served as justice of the peace for over forty years.
To the union of Dr. Bradbury and Miss Burr were born three children, viz: Bertrand F., Zerelda (deceased), Jane, a teacher in the city schools of Muncie. It was just about the time of the occurrence of his marriage that the doctor entered the one hundred days' service, which time he served with effective gallantry in the One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Ohio national guards. Dr. Bradbury was a prominent republican and an active work- er from principle and not from aspiration to any public office. Although many times he sought to fill public office, he never acquiesced to his friends except to assume the office of secretary of the board of health of Muncie, which he filled creditably for a number of years. His death came suddenly, the result of an accident, and was a shock to his many friends, as he was a man dearly loved by all and filled a niche in society and his profession which can never be filled. He was a pioneer in spirit and purchased 400 acres of land near Carmack station in the wildest state, and transformed it into one of the best farms in the county.
Bertrand F. Bradbury was born August 10, 1866, and was a son of Allison and Sarah (Burr) Bradbury. His education was acquired at the public schools, and at the age of eight- een he began his business life by becoming a clerk in the store of J. B. Knowlton, imple-
ment dealer, and next as book-keeper for J. Vogt, merchant tailor, with whom he remained three years, after which time, in November, 1889, in company with Lee Shaw, engaged in the hat trade, and since 1892 has been con- ducting the establishment on his sole account, making hosts of friends.
ON. ARTHUR W. BRADY, mayor of Muncie, is a native of Delaware county, Ind., born on the 13th day of January, 1865, the son of Gen. Thomas J. and Emeline (Wolfe) Brady. After receiving a primary education in the schools of Muncie and attending a preparatory school in New Preston, Conn., Mr. Brady, in 1883, entered Yale college, in which he completed the prescribed course, graduating in the class of 1887 with the. degree of B. A. He then studied law in the office of R. C. Bell, of Ft. Wayne, Ind., one year, entered the law de- partment of the university of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and graduated in the year 1889. Mr. Brady, in the fall of the above year, was ad- mitted to the Delaware county bar; has done an extensive legal business in the courts of Delaware county and the United States court, and in 1890 was made local attorney for the L. E. & W. R. R., which position he still re- tains. Mr. Brady is a democrat in his politi- cal affiliations, and in 1891 was nominated by his party for the office of mayor or Muncie, to which, with the assistance of independent re- publican voters, he was elected by the hand- some majority of 660. He has the honor of being the youngest man ever elected to this responsible position, and he has discharged the duties of the office in a manner highly creditable to himself and satisfactory alike to his friends and to those who opposed him po- litically.
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Mr. Brady is a man of much more than or- dinary mental capacity, and with his faculties well disciplined by collegiate training he has already arisen to a prominent place among his professional brethren of the Delaware county bar. Mr. Brady is an affable gentleman, courteous and kind hearted, and his integrity and worth have made him quite popular not only with his professional associates but with all classes of his fellow citizens of the city of Muncie. He was one of the organizers of the Ancile club, of which he has served as direct- or, and belongs to Muncie lodge, No. 443, A. F. & A. M .; also to Welcome lodge, K. P.
EN. THOMAS J. BRADY was born in the city of Muncie, Delaware coun- ty, Ind., on the 12th day of Febru- ary, 1840. His father, John Brady, the second son of William and Julia Ann (Lerch) Brady, was born in Warren county, Ohio, September 30, 1803. John Brady, in March, 1824, removed to Indiana, settling at Richmond, where, on the 16th of March, 1825, he was united in marriage to .Mary Wright, who, with her mother, had immi- grated to Indiana from Maryland in 1824. Afterward, he removed to Muncie, in 1836. John Brady served as associate judge from . 1841 to 1851 and as postmaster from 1847 to 1861. Subsequently, in 1865, he was elected mayor of Muncie, and filled the office from that date until 1867. In 1871 he was chosen a member of the city council and served until 1873. From 1878 to 1880 he served as town- ship trustee, and for many years was one of the city commissioners. He died in the year 1884, deeply lamented by all who knew him. The following are the names of his children: William, died at an early age, Samuel F., Thomas J. and Edward W.
Thomas J. Brady was educated in the Delaware county seminary and at Asbury university at Greencastle, Ind. After gradu- ating, he entered the office of Hon. Thomas J. Sample of Muncie as a student. During the winter of 1858-59, he served in the capacity of clerk to the judiciary committee of the state senate. After being admitted to the bar, he removed to Bethany, Mo., but one year later returned to Muncie, served as census enumerator in 1860,and the same year was appointed principal of the Washington schools, which position he held during one winter. At the breaking out of the war Gen. Brady raised the first company that went from Delaware county, in 1861. This company was at first assigned to a provisional regiment organized by Gov. Morton, with Gen. Lew Wallace in command, to assist in averting the danger that menaced the national capital. The company from Delaware county, however, became com- pany C, Eighth Indiana infantry-three months' service. They served under Gens. McClellan and Rosecrans in West Virginia. Subsequently Capt. Brady's company became company A, and the regiment was assigned to the department of Missouri. Shortly after the battle of Pea Ridge, Capt. Brady became major of the regiment, which afterward formed a part of Gen. McClernand's corps in Missis- sippi.
Gen. Brady participated in the battle of Port Gibson, the Black River and Champion Hills campaigns, and was also active- ly engaged during the siege of Vicks- burg. On the 19th of September, 1863, he was made the recipient of a colonel's commission by Gov. Morton. His regi- ment was the One Hundred and Seven- teenth Indiana infantry, six months' troops. The term of enlistment of the One Hundred and Seventeenth expired in 1864, and, on the Ioth of October of that year, Gen. Brady was
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commissioned colonel of the One Hundred and Fortieth regiment Indiana volunteer infantry, over one half of which he raised by his own efforts during the summer of that year. With this regiment he went to Nashville, to Mur- freesboro', Tenn., and finally to garrison duty at Fort Rosecrans, where he remained during the siege of Nashville. He participated with his command in all the engagements in the vicinity of Murfreesboro, and the regiment af- terward formed a part of the Third brigade, First division, Twenty-third army corps, un- der the command of Gen. Cox. In 1865 the regiment took part in the storming of Fort Anderson, and subsequently was engaged in the action at Town Creek bridge. The regi- ment was mustered out of service July 11, 1865, and within a short time thereafter Col. Brady was honored with a promotion by brevet to the rank of brigadier general of volunteers. In the winter of 1863-64 Gen. Brady returned to Muncie and was united in marriage to Miss Emeline, daughter of Adam Wolfe, on the Ioth day of May of the latter year, and at the close of his army life, he resumed the practice of his profession. The children born to his marriage are named Arthur W., Elizabeth W. and Winfield E. Brady.
In 1868 he purchased the Muncie Times. In 1870 he was appointed, by Pres. Grant, to the consulate of the island of St. Thomas, West Indies, and on this account he severed his connection with the Times. In 1874, while on leave of absence, he was appointed chairman of the republican state central com- mittee. He resigned his position as consul in 1875, and was soon after appointed super- visor of internal revenue for the states of Ohio and Indiana. Subsequently he was transferred from this district to the one embracing Ken- tucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. In July, 1876, Gen. Grant ten- dered him the position of second assistant
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