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 28
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Mr. Higman was married September 13, 1881, to Miss Martha A. Sullivan, daughter of James A. and Margaret (Shaffer) Sullivan of Jay county, Ind., and their three children have been named, Paul, Homer and Ruth.
Since his residence in Muncie no person has taken a more lively interest in its progress, and real estate has felt the effect of his in- fluence from the time of his coming. From the organization of the Real Estate exchange he has been its secretary, and this fact alone is indicative of his deep interest in the welfare of his adopted city.
RANK HINES, one of the progressive farmers of Centre township and son of John R. and Abigail Hines, was born in Delaware county, Ind., Janu- ary 5, 1860. He received a good education in the common schools, remained with his parents on the home farm until obtaining his legal majority, and then engaged in agriculture for himself, which vocation he has since carried on with success and financial profit. He purchased forty acres of land in 1881, and subsequently added another forty tract, thus making a comfortable home and one of the best farms of its size in the township of Centre. Mr. Hines believes in the dignity of his calling and is one of the representative men of his class in Delaware county. Intelli- gent, energetic, and possessed of good busi- ness ability, he has made a success of life, and he occupies a deservedly high place in the estimation of his many friends and fellow citi- zens, all of whom respect him for his many sterling qualities of manhood. He takes an active interest in matters political, and since his twenty-first year has exercised the elective franchise in behalf of the republican party. Mr. Hines was married April 4, 1877, to Lucy, the accomplished daughter of Caleb and Rachael Armitage. Mrs. Hines was born June 29, 1861. Her parents, Caleb Armitage and Rachael McDonnald, both natives of Ohio, were married in Centre township, Del-
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aware county, Ind., in the year 1858. To Mr. and Mrs. Hines have been born the fol- lowing children: Ina, Claude, Berl, Grace, John, Charles, Walter, and Blanche.
3 OHN R. HINES is a native of Indiana, born in the county of Randolph on the 8th day of June, 1828. His father, John Hines, was born in North Caro- lina, in which state his ancestors settled at a period antedating the struggle for American independence. Many years ago, John Hines emigrated to Highland county, Ohio, where he married Rachael Branson, thence, some- time after that event, moved to Randolph coun- ty, Ind., where he lived until 1830, at which time he became a resident of Delaware coun- ty, settling in Perry township, where he made his home for a limited period. Subsequently, he entered 120 acres of land in the township of Delaware, where he cleared a good farm from the woods, and five years later sold the same and purchased the farm in Perry town- ship upon which he had previously settled. In 1839, he moved to Monroe township and was an honored resident of the same until his death, which occurred in 1865; his wife died previous to that time, the date of her demise being June, 1838. John and Rachael Hines reared a large family, only three of whom are living at this time, namely: Nolan, of Clarke county, Iowa; John R., and William, who re- sides in Kansas. The names of those deceased are as follows: Buella, Robert, Ellen, Reece, Elizabeth, Sarah, Lucinda, John and Rachael. John Hines was originally a whig in his politi- cal belief, and afterwards became a supporter of the republican party. He subscribed to the Universalist creed and believed in the final restoration and redemption of the entire human family.
John R. Hines spent the years of his youth and early manhood amid the stirring scenes of pioneer times, and, on attaining his majority, began life for himself as a farmer. He con- tinued to till the soil until his twenty-third year, at which time, in the fall of 1851, he joined the vast concourse of gold seekers, and went to California, via the Panama route, and remained for a period of three years, en- gaged in mining. He was one the few whose efforts in this direction were crowned with suc- cess, and after accumulating a handsome fort- une, he returned to Delaware county, and for one year thereafter was engaged in general merchandising. Since 1856 he has devoted his attention entirely to agricultural pursuits and stock-raising, and his success in the voca- tions has been very marked, and he now occu- pies a very conspicuous place among the repre- sentative farmers of the township of Centre. He ownes 200 acres of valued and highly im- proved land not far from the county seat, and in addition to tilling the soil, he has given a great deal of attention to the breeding and rais- ing of horses.
Mr. Hines was married December 14, 1856, in Smithfield, this county, to Abigail Mans- field, who was born January 10, 1834, the daughter of Charles and Hannah (Shaffer) Mansfield, natives of Ohio, and early pioneers of the county of Delaware. The wedded life of Mr. and Mrs. Hines was blessed with eight children: Charles, a resident of Muncie; Han- nah, wife of O. McConnell; Frank, also a res- ident of Centre; George, who lives in Kansas; Elnore, wife of E. Kennedy; Henry R., de- ceased; Lucy J .; Mark, deceased, and Wil- liam, of Muncie. The mother of these chil- dren died in May, 1888, and an appropriate monument marks her last resting place in the city cemetery of Muncie. Mr. Hines has a beautiful home, the abode of plenty and hos- pitality. He is a man of intelligence, broad
JOHN R. HINES
MRS. JOHN R. HINES.
#
W. E. Hitchcock
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and liberal views, and among the well-to-do citizens of Centre township he occupies a deservedly conspicuous place. He is a repub- lican in politics, but not a partisan in the sense of seeking office.
ILLIAM E. HITCHCOCK, one of the leading manufacturers of Mun- cie, and a gentleman well known and highly regarded by all with whom he comes in contact, is a native of the state of Connecticut, born on the 30th of January, 1859, in the city of Meriden. He is the elder of two children born to E. A. and Mary A. (Greene) Hitchcock, and was reared to manhood in Ashtabula, Ohio, to which city the family removed in his childhood, and in the schools of which he received a practical English education. Leaving his books at the age of fifteen, he 'accepted the important po- sition of teller in an Ashtabula bank, the duties of which he discharged in a very credit- able manner; and subsequently, from 1876 to 1879, was bookkeeper for the Meriden Bri- tannia company, of Meriden, Conn. In the latter year he severed his connection with the above company, and, returning to Ashtabula, embarked in manufacturing, becoming associ- ated with his father in the manufacture of skewers, etc., an enterprise which was con- ducted very profitably in that city until the removal of the business, in 1884, to Muncie, this state.
On locating in the latter place, Mr. Hitch- cock, in partnership with A. L. and J. C. Johnson, organized the Muncie Skewer com- pany, for the manufacture of butchers' skew- ers, flag sticks, trunk slats, dowels, etc., etc., an enterprise which has proven eminently sat- isfactory, the factory at this time having a daily capacity of over one million skewers, the
product in the several other lines being in proportion, for all of which there is a great demand in the markets of the United States and other countries. As sole manager of this large and important enterprise, Mr. Hitchcock has displayed rare executive ability, and his judgment on all matters of business policy pertaining to his manufacturing and other interests is seldom, if ever, called in question by his business associates. In addition to looking after the various interests of the firm with which he is identified, Mr. Hitchcock is prominently connected with a number of pub- lic enterprises, being a director in the Muncie Savings & Loan company. He holds a simi- lar position with the Industrial Savings & Loan association, and is also a director of the Merchants' National bank, of Muncie; presi- dent and treasurer of the Muncie Transfer company; and represents his party, the repub- lican, on the Metropolitan Police board of the city.
As a business man he is zealous and am- bitious, and successful in the fullest sense in which that term is usually accepted; but no act inconsistent with the strictest honor and integrity has ever been imputed to him. Ab- sorbed in the prosecution of his various enter- prises, he still finds time to devote to political matters, being, as already noted, a republican, in the deliberations of which party, in Dela- ware county, he has been a potent factor. Fraternally he is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and in the social circles few stand higher in the estimation of the best people of Muncie.
The marriage of Mr. Hitchcock was solem- nized September 30, 1885, with Miss Estelle Morehouse, of Muncie, a union blessed with the birth of two children: Edward H. and Fred W., the latter of whom, a most interest- ing boy, was spared to his parents until Octo- ber 4, 1892, when he was called away, aged three years, six months and eighteen days.
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J ACOB R. HUMMEL, manufacturer and dealer in fine confectionery, and pro- prietor of the leading bakery of Muncie, is a native of Indiana, born in Con- nersville, Fayette county, March 10, 1861. His parents were George J. and Mary (Smith) Hummel, who brought him to Delaware county when but six months of age-conse- quently nearly all of his life has been passed within the present limits of Muncie. He acquired a good English education in the pub- lic schools, and, at the age of fifteen, went to Indianapolis and learned the confectioner's trade, which he worked at there two years and four months, and in which he became unusu- ally skillful. On attaining his legal majority, he became a partner with his father in the con- fectionery business, which relationship existed for six years, when he became sole proprietor, and has since carried on the trade with encour- aging success. As a manufacturer of fine con- fectionery, etc., Mr. Hummel easily leads the trade in Muncie, and the product of his bakery, consisting of bread, crackers, all kinds of fine and fancy cakes, such as are turned out by first-class establishments, have a large sale in Muncie and neighboring cities and towns. He manufactures ice cream for the retail and wholesale trades, and his ice cream parlor, by far the finest in the city, is extensively patron- ized, and has become a popular and favorite resort during the season when delicious refresh- ments are looked upon as almost a necessity. Mr. Hummel possesses fine business qualities, is thoroughly familiar with every detail of the trade to which he has devoted so much time and attention, and his place on east Main street is one of the well known business houses of the city. Mr. Hummel is in the prime of life, has before him a future of much promise, and by judicious management, he has already accumulated a comfortable portion of this world's goods. He is a prominent member of
the Odd Fellows fraternity, belonging to the subordinate lodge, encampment, canton and Rebecca branch, and he is also an active worker in the Pythian order, both in the sub- ordinate lodge and the uniform rank. He is a Mason in good standing and has risen high in the order of Red Men, being one of the lead- ers of the subordinate lodge, and has also taken the Pocahontas degree. Politically Mr. Hummel is a democrat, but he prefers to give his entire attention to his business instead of seeking official position at the hands of his fel- low citizens. Eminently sociable, he is a favorite with all, and it is but justice to accord him a prominent place with the popular young men of Muncie.
RANK G. JACKSON, M. D., one of the most efficient members of the medical brotherhood of Muncie, is a native of Delaware county, Ind., born November 25, 1858, the son of William N. and Sarah (Collins) Jackson. The father was a native of Greenup county, Ky., alld a descendant of an old Virginia family which emigrated from Loudoun county, that state, to Ohio many years ago. The mother of the doctor was born in Delaware county, Ind., to which part of the state William N. Jackson had come with his parents in the year 1844. Thomas Jackson, the doctor's grandfather, was one of the pioneers of Mun- cie, in which city William N. now lives re- tired from active life. William N. Jackson was a soldier in the late war, entering the army, in 1862, as a member of company E, Nineteenth Indiana infantry, with which he served until the cessation of hostilities. His regiment formed a part of the army of the Potomac, and took part in all the Virginia campaigns under Gens. Meade, Hooker, Mc-
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Clellan, Burnside and Grant, and participated in forty-nine battles, in all of which Mr. Jack- son distinguished himself as a brave and gal- lant soldier. At this time he is adjutant of of Williams post, G. A. R., in the organiza- tion of which he was a leading spirit, and in politics he wields an influence for the republi- can party. Religiously he is an active mem- ber of the Methodist church, as was also his wife, who died in the year 1879.
Dr. Jackson is the third in a family of eight children, and was educated in the Mun- cie schools, graduating from the city high school in 1878. His early inclinations led him to select the medical profession for a life work, and he began preparation for the same in 1876 with Dr. H. C. Winans, under whose able instruction he pursued his studies for some time with most encouraging results. Subsequently he enlarged his professional knowledge by attendance at the Ohio Medical college, Cincinnati, in which he completed the prescribed course, graduating in 1882. With a thorough knowledge of his profession he entered upon the practice of the same, imme- diately after his graduation, at Mt. Summit, Henry county, Ind., where he remained six years, at the expiration of which period he removed to Muncie, where he has since resided and where he now enjoys a large and lucra- tive practice, yearly becoming better known and more appreciated. The doctor has met with much more than ordinary success in his chosen calling, and stands deservedly high among his professional brethern of Muncie and Delaware county. He keeps fully abreast of the times in all matters pertaining to his pro- fession, is a close student and wide reader, and his large experience has won for him a prominent place in the medical fraternity of eastern Indiana. The doctor is a member of the Delaware County Medical society, and is now serving as secretary of the same. He
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.
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 himsell 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.
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