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 40
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S AMUEL M. RIED .- Among the suc- cessful physicians of Delaware county, Ind., Samuel M. Ried takes a front rank, both as to skill and popularity. Dr. Ried was born in Shelby county, Ohio, August 27, 1843, and is a son of William R. and Susan (Young) Ried, natives of Virginia and Montgomery county, Ohio, respectively. William R. and Susan Ried were the parents of five children, of whom Samuel M. is the only one now living. Mrs. Susan Ried de- parted this life March 30, 1863, and the fol- lowing year Mr. Ried was united in marriage to Miss Jean Henry, who is still living on the old home farm in Ohio. William R. Ried died on the 10th day of February, 1893.
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Dr. Ried was reared to manhood in his native county, in the public schools of which he received his early educational training, and later he became a student in the Wesleyan university, Delaware, Ohio, which institution he left before completing the prescribed course, for the purpose of joining the army. Just at this juncture, however, he was stricken with typhoid fever, which prevented his doing mili- tary service, a most grievous disappointment to him at the time, as he was exceedingly desirous of going to the front. The six years following his recovery from sickness he spent teaching school, succeeding well in the profes- sion and earning the reputation of a capable and painstaking instructor. About this time he decided to gratify a taste, which had been developing for several years, of fitting himself for the medical profession; accordingly, he entered the office of Dr. William R. Venard, and began the study of medicine, in which he made most satisfactory progress. He added to the knowledge thus obtained by taking a full course in the college of Physicians and Surgeons of Keokuk, Iowa, from which he graudated in 1878, and thus, quite well for- tified for the duties of his chosen call- ing, he resumed the practice, which he had previously commenced in 1866 in Warren county, Ind. He remained in the county of Warren for a period of twenty-three years, doing a lucrative practice in the meantime, and in 1889 located in Muncie, where his thorough knowledge of the profession soon won for him a prominent place among the leading physicians and surgeons. Dr. Ried has much in his favor, possessing a pleasant personality, with a manner which inspires confidence attributes so necessary to the successful disci- ple of the healing art. He is upon the kindest terms with his brother practitioners, belongs to the Delaware County Medical society, and is also a member of the State Medical society.
In polititics he is a supporter of the republi- can party,. taking an active interest in the cause which he espouses, and he has the courage of his convictions upon all questions of local and public moment. He is a member of the Mutual Loan & Savings association of Muncie, and testifies to his interest in fra- ternal orders by holding membership in three prominent organizations, namely: Masonic, I. O. O. F. and the I. O. R. M. In religion the doctor subscribes to the Methodist creed, and as a member of the High Street congrega- tion he has done much for his denomination in this city.
The doctor was married, in 1866, to Miss Jennie Johnson, daughter of Joseph Johnson of Shelby county, Ohio, and is the father of three children, namely: Francis A., died May 28, 1876; William J., died April 8, 1877; and B. Lee, living-his birth having occurred on the 4th day February, 1877.
ARDIN ROADS, president of the Merchants' National bank of Muncie, was born and reared on a farm in Highland county, Ohio. After mak- ing such preparations as the common schools afforded, he began teaching at the age of seven- teen, and during the years of his early man- hood followed this occupation, working on the farm during vacations. Subsequently, he en- gaged in merchandising at Hillsboro, Ohio, where he remained actively engaged until 1887, when he came to Muncie and engaged in the wholesale grocery trade for a period of five years, when he disposed of his business to Mr. Goddard in 1892. February 4, 1893, Mr. Roads, with several other leading business men of Muncie, completed the organization of the Merchants' National bank, he being chosen president. The bank, located at the corner of
G. W. ROBINSON.
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Main and Mulberry streets, has a capital stock of $100,000, and is recognized as one of the solid and successful financial institutions of the city.
EORGE W. ROBINSON (deceased), for many years a popular citizen of Muncie, and one of its efficient officials, was born in Greene county, Pa., on the 13th day of February, 1836. He was the sixth in a family of ten children born to Allen and Jane (Birch) Robinson, the father a native of England, and the mother of Ireland. Allen Robinson came to the United States in early boyhood with an uncle, and became a prominent physician, which profession he fol- lowed during life. Mrs. Robinson was brought to the United States by her parents when but four years of age, and grew to womanhood in Washington county, Pa. In 1837, Allen Rob- inson removed with his family to Mercer county, Ohio, thence later to the city of Bellefontaine, where he resided until 1851, at which date he located in Muncie, Ind., and here practiced his profession. He died in 1865 at the age of sixty years, and his wife survived him until 1880, dying in that year at the advanced age of eighty-four.
George W. Robinson was but a lad when his parents located in Mercer county, Ohio, and a boy in his teens when he came to Muncie. He received a common school education, and in his fifteenth year entered upon an appren- ticeship with Calvin Everett, the pioneer shoe- maker of Muncie, to learn that useful trade. He followed the business of shoemaking for a number of years, and upon the death of his brother, John T. Robinson, became the latter's successor as town marshal in the fall of 1878, the duties of which office he discharged con- tinuously until Muncie was incorporated as
a city, when he was elected city marshal, which office he filled by successive re-elec- tions for a period of fifteen years. His effi- ciency as a guardian of the city's interests during the period of his incumbency was greatly appreciated by his fellow citizens, and as an evidence of the high esteem in which he was held he was made chief of police, the duties of which position he discharged in an eminently satisfactory manner until his death, which occurred on the 15th day of May, 1893. It will thus be seen that the life of Mr. Robin- son was one of great activity, and his official career embraced a period of twenty-five years of the existence of the city of Muncie. As an official, he was uniformly kind and courte- ous, but possessed in a marked degree that firmness of purpose so essential to an officer of justice, and which in his case proved a terror to violators of the law. Personally he enjoyed great popularity, his kindness of heart became proverbial, and all with whom he came in contact, whether in business, official or social relations, united in pronouncing him a true friend and an honorable, upright gentle- man. In politics he was ever a supporter of the republican party, and he was prominently identified with the I. O. O. F. and the frater- nity of Red Men. Mr. Robinson was twice married; the first time, on the 25th day of May, 1854, to Miss Mary Frances Gordon, who died in 1875, the mother of six children, three of whom are living, namely: Charles, Dell and Allen. Mr. Robinson's second mar- riage was solemnized October 28, 1877, with Miss Jenette A. Langley, who was born in Madison county, Ind., in 1861, the daughter of John and Susan Langley, natives of Indiana and of German descent.
The moral character of Mr. Robinson was above reproach, and his constant observation of the evil effects of crime seemed but to strengthen his incorruptibility.
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HEODORE F. ROSE, prominent at- torney of Delaware county, and pres- ident of the Muncie Natural Gas company, was born in Fairfield, Franklin county, Ind., the son of Samuel and Jane (Harris) Rose. The father was one of the first white children born in the town of Fairfield and was by occupation a carriage maker, having carried on an extensive manu- facturing establishment for many years. He was a man of local prominence in his neighbor- hood, was an active and influential member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and always manifested a great interest in the Sunday school work. His father, William S. Rose, removed to Union county in an early day, and there became a prominent man of affairs, and was called to fill various official positions. Mrs. Samuel Rose was.a native of Lancaster, Pa., and a woman of many excellent traits of both mind and heart.
Theodore F. Rose is the second son in his father's family, and was reared in his native place until seventeen years of age. In his youth he enjoyed superior educational advan- tages, attending first the public schools and later becoming a student of Brookville college, and afterward graduating, in 1875, from the regular scientific course in the State university at Bloomington, Ind. His early inclinations led him to choose the legal profession for his life work, and in 1876 he began the study of the same in the office of Buckles & Ryan at Muncie, under whose instruction he continued until his admission to the bar in 1878. He then began the active practice of his profes- sion in partnership with Hon. Josiah E. Mel- lett, at that time prosecuting attorney of Del- aware county, and was made deputy prose- cutor, in which capacity he continued until the expiration of that gentleman's term of office. The partnership of Rose & Mellett was continued until 1882, since
which time Mr. Rose has not had any associ- ate in the practice. He served as city attor- ney for five years, and is now the attorney for a number of corporations, and his standing is a compliment to his ability as a painstaking and successful lawyer. He became president of the Muncie Natural Gas company in 1886, since which date he has been prominently identified with that organization. He was one of the chief movers and organizers of the Indi- ana Bridge company, from which he retired in 1891; is a stockholder in the Muncie Casket company, and has been connected with several important industries which have had their effect in promoting, in a very marked degree, the prosperity of the city of Muncie. In part- nership with George Kirby, he has for several years been extensively engaged in real estate transactions, and is a recognized authority on all matters pertaining to that line of business. Mr. Rose is a man of energy and spirit, pos- sesses financial ability of a high order, and bears the reputation of being a man of marked probity, and as exemplary in private life as well as before the public gaze. Fraternally he is a member of Muncie lodge, No. 74, I. O. O. F., belongs to the Muncie encampment and canton, is prominently identified with the A. F. & A. M., and was one of the charter mem- bers of the Ancile club. The marriage of Mr. Rose was solemnized in 1880 with Miss Mar- garet I. Dodds, daughter of Dr. James F. Dodds, of Bloomington, Ind., to which union one child, Frederick D. Rose, has been born.
J OHN C. ROSS, M. D., a prominent physician and surgeon of Muncie, is a native of Randolph county, Ind., and son of John and Eliza (Hunt) Ross. John Ross was born in Fleming county, Ky., July 25, 1816, and came to Indiana with his
J. C. ROSS, M. D
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parents in 1825, locating with the family in the city of Fort Wayne. When a young man, he worked for some time on the old Wabash and Erie canal, and later removed to Randolph county and entered 160 acres of government land in what is now Nettle Creek township. In addition to agricultural pursuits, which he carried on for a number of years, he worked at the mill-wright trade, and was thus engaged until he entered the United States service at the breaking out of the late rebellion. He enlisted, in 1861, in company D, Sixty-ninth Indiana infantry, was soon promoted captain, and took part in the first battle at Richmond, Ky., where he received a severe wound which necessitated his retiring from the service for a time. In the battle of Richmond nearly all of the Sixty-ninth fell into the hands of the enemy, and the regiment was afterwards reorganized at Camp Wayne and assigned to Grant's com- mand, Mr. Ross leading his company in the Vicksburg and other campaigns. He saw much active service, participated in a mumber of bloody battles, and was wounded seven times, the effects of which compelled him to resign his commission and retire from the service. On leaving the army, he resumed farming for a time in Randolph county, later purchased a grist mill in the county of Wayne, which he operated for three years, disposing of it at the end of that time and building a similar struct- ure in the town of Huntsuille, where he was engaged in the manufacture of flour until he removed to Delaware county in the spring of 1869. Since the latter year he has been en- gaged in various enterprises, making his home at the time in the beautiful town of Selma, where his declining years are being passed. For a number of years John Ross has been a local minister of the Methodist church, as was his father before him, and his wife's people were also prominently identified with the same denomination, his father-in-law having been a
preacher of some note, in an early day, in southern Indiana. Politically he was originally a whig, later a republican, but at this time he is an earnest supporter of the prohibition party. Mrs. Eliza Ross was born March 30, 1823, in Wayne county, Ind., her people being among the pioneer settlers of that part of the statc.
Dr. John C. Ross was born on the home farm in Nettle Creek township, Rrndolph county, May 10, 1844, and he received such mental culture as was attainable in the coun- try schools, which he attended at intervals during the years of his minority. He assisted an elder brother in farming the place while his father worked at millwrighting and carpen- tering, and remained under the parental roof until his twenty-fifth year. From his youth to nearly middle life the doctor's health was not very vigorous, having been greatly troubled with attacks of nervous prostration, the effects of which had a tendency to retard the devel- opment of his physical powers, consequently he grew up slim and somewhat dwarfed in bodily vigor. Owing to overwork in the har- vest field, while his father was in the army, he became an invalid, and for the greater part of the succeeding two years was unable to perform much physical labor. It was during this period that he turned his attention to the study of medicine, and after being sufficiently recovered he found employment at different occupations, pursuing his professional studies during his hours of leisure, generally at night, under the instruction of his physician, Dr. R. L. Eikenberry. Later, he attended a course of lectures at Cincinnati, after which he began the practice at the town of Bethel, where his success in the profession soon brought him into favorable notice throughout the surrounding neighborhoods. With a laudable desire to increase his professional knowledge, the doc- tor, subsequently, entered the Eclectic Medi- cal college at Indianapolis, completing the
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course in that institution in 1880, since which time he has practiced with most gratifying success in the city of Muncie. Dr. Ross' professional career has more than met his most sanguine expectations, the reputation being awarded him as one of the most success- ful practitioners of Muncie. With little to encourage him in the undertaking, retarded, in the beginning, by poor health, and with no capital worthy of mention, he has succeeded in surmounting the many obstacles by which his pathway was beset, and winning for him- self a conspicuous place among his professional associates of Delaware county. It is a fact, worthy of note, that in addition to his pro- fessional success the doctor has regained his physical vigor, and at this writing he is in full possession of all his bodily and mental powers. He is a man of fine presence and courteous address, gentlemanly in his intercourse with his fellow citizens, and possesses the esteem of all with whom he comes in contact profes- sionally or otherwise.
Dr. Ross was reared a republican but is now a prohibitionist; he has always been an uncompromising enemy of the liquor traffic, never having taken a swallow of anything intoxicating in his life nor prescribed it for a paeient. He was made an Odd Fellow in 1866, since which time he has been an active worker in the order, having passed all the chairs in Energy lodge, No. 652; he also be- longs to DeEmber tribe, No. 30, I. O. R. M., in which he has filled the various official posi- tions, besides representing the society in the grand council. Religiously he adheres to the Methodist belief, in which he was reared; his wife is a member of the German Baptist or Dunkard church.
Dr. Ross was married August 23, 1870, to Miss Lucinda E. Stump, of Delaware county, daughter of Joseph and Anna (Kessler) Stump; five children have been born to this union,
namely: Nelson B., Artie M., Ralph W., Lennie L., and Roscoe C., all living.
HARLES PARKER SAMPLE (de- ceased), at one time one of the most enterprising and prominent business men of Muncie, was born in Conners- ville, Ind., July 19, 1830, and was a son of Judge Thomas J. and Juliet (Watton) Sample. Thomas J. Sample was a native of Maryland, and, when a young man, went to Dayton, Ohio, and was there married; from Dayton he came to Indiana and located at Connersville, where he was engaged in cabinet making for eight or ten years, but the business did not agree with his health. He therefore removed to Yorktown, Delaware county, and engaged in merchandising with Hon. Oliver H. Smith as partner. While operating this store he be- gan the study of law, by advice of Hon. Caleb B. Smith and Hon. Samuel Parker, both mem- bers of congress from Indiana at that time, and both cousins of Mrs. Sample. He passed a first class examination, was admitted to the bar September, 1842, and came to Muncie in 1843, and began practice. He was a devout Methodist, and always took the Bible to court with him, and from it made copious quota- tions. He was successful as a lawyer, and was once called to Washington, D. C., to confer with President Lincoln on some knotty point. The judge was also once engaged in the bank- ing business, with Judge Byron Elliott, of In- dianapolis, as partner. To his marriage with Miss Watton, there were born two children, Samuel and Charles P., the elder, Samuel, having died at Connersville. Mrs. Sample died a short time after coming with her husband to Muncie. For his second wife he married Miss Hannah Garst (sister of Dr. Garst), and, as the result of this union, there are two daugh-
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ters living. Mrs. Friedly, of Richmond, Ind., and Ada, wife of Charles Heberd, of Princeton, Ind. Judge Sample passed away honored and loved by all who knew him. Samuel Watton, maternal grandfather of Charles Parker Sam- ple, occupied a trader's cabin on the north bank of White river, on the site of what is now Riverside, and bought furs from the Indians long before Muncie was laid out. He also en- tered the tract of land that is now known as Winton place, and lived and died there in a log cabin, having only begun the present old frame structure that marks the spot.
Charles Parker Sample came to Muncie with his father April 13, 1843, and here at- tended the common schools. Early during the California gold excitement (in 1849), he was attacked with the fever, and had packed his wardrobe and got his outfit together ready for a start for the auriferous fields, but, being an only son, was dissuaded by his parents from going. Having finished his education he was met, about this time (1852), by Mr. A. F. Pat- terson, who had been a practical tinner and coppersmith at Cincinnati and at other points, and a proposition was made that the two should go into business together, and a co-partnership was finally consummated. Mr. Sample's father furnished an amount of capital equal to that supplied by Mr. Patterson, and the now part- ners opened a tin shop near where Mr. Bald- win's grocery store now is, on east Main street. Mr. Sample kept the books and Mr. Patterson managed the mechanical department. The ·business prospered, and sales were large both in the store and by wagons placed on the road. In 1854, they bought the "Pioneer" hardware store from Neal Mccullough, who went to Anderson to engage in the banking business, and stoves, hardware, and tinware became specialties. For twenty-one years the partners carried on business together, when failing health admonished Mr. Sample that rest was
necessary, and consequently the store was sold. About this time Mr. James Boyce made his appearance, and Mr. Sample, through his large acquaintance, became of great use to the former in introducing his flax and bagging business to the citizens of Delaware county. After an interval of three years Mr. Sample and Mr. Patterson re-united, bought back the "'Pioneer" hardware store, and resumed the old trade, which was continued until the partnership was dissolved by the death of Mr. Sample, August 29, 1873. Mr. Sample was a Knight Templar, an active member of the Methodist church since 1853, was its treasurer, and was an ardent Sabbath school worker, serving as secretary many years. He was recognized as one of the best and most progressive business men of Muncie, and had the implicit trust of all others. At the death of Mr. Burson, he was selected for a time to fill the position of president of the Burson bank, and he was called upon to fill many other positions of trust. The marriage of Mr. Sample took place May 2, 1854, to Miss Mary J. Graham, a native of Sulphur Springs, W. Va., and daughter of James and Jane (Armstrong) Graham, of Cambridge City, Ind., and to this most congenial union were born four children, of whom three are still living, viz: Karl G., general manager of the Muncie Ice company, C. Watton, in the insur- ance and loan business, and Charles Parker at home. Thomas Melville died in infancy. In all the relations of father, husband, son, brother and friend he was considerate, affectionate and faithful, and generous and charitable to a fault, and in business he was careful, systematic and strictly honest, even to the slightest detail.
The life of Mr. Sample was such as to well deserve the admiration of the public in gen- eral, but more particularly does it afford an example for the emulation of the aspiring young man, be he merchant or mechanic, who seeks fortune and prominence.
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B ARL G. SAMPLE, vice-president and general manager of the Muncie Ice company, and the son of Charles Parker and Mary (Graham) Sample, whose sketch is published above, is a native of Muncie, Ind., and was born July 10, 1857. He received his preliminary education at the Muncie schools, quitting in 1874 to attend the Asbury (Ind.) university in 1874-75. He then went into the machine shop of W. S. Phelps, of Muncie, learned the trade of ma- chinist, and then went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and worked for the Blymeyer Manufacturing com- pany; later, worked in the shops of the Mun- cie Foundry & Machine works, and, after- ward, in the machine shops of the O. & M. Railroad company at Pana, Ill .; the Murray Iron works, Burlington, Iowa; the Richmond Machine works, Richmond, Ind .; the Lake Erie & Western Railroad company's shops at Lima, Ohio; the Wabash Railroad company's works at Peru, Ind; and the Louisville & Nashville railroad company's works at Louis- ville, Ky.
He next became proprietor of a gas fitting shop in Muncie, and in December, 1891, was employed as manager of the Muncie Ice com- pany's plant, and in November, 1892, pur- chased the interest of John R. Ervin, and later was elected vice-president of the company, still retaining the general management. This company has a capacity of fifteen tons per day, manufactures its ice from condensed steam, by the absorption plan, and keeps in employment fifteen men and five teams, run- ning night and day. Mr. Sample has proven himself to be skillful, industrious and adroit, not only at his trade, but in his present voca- tion, and his standing in the community as a moral and exemplary young man is such as affords the keenest satisfaction to his friends and more immediate acquaintances, and per- haps is gratifying to himself.
J OHN FARNSWORTH SANDERS (de- ceased), a prominent member of the Muncie bar, was born January 8, 1837, in Butler county, Ohio, the only child of Wyatt and Susan Sanders. From sketches published by different newspapers on the occasion of his death the following facts are taken: "His mother died when he was about two years of age, and his father, a few years later, moving to Delaware county, Ind., and marrying the second wife, the lot of the young boy became any thing but a happy one. When yet a lad he received an injury of the hip, the effects of which made him a cripple for life, and during his later years he became a great sufferer from the injury."
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