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 45
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Mr. Stouder began job printing in a very modest way, his first press being a small affair operated by foot power, but as business in- creased, he moved to other and more commo- dious quarters and supplied his office with machinery in keeping with the enlarged de- mands for his workmanship. After occupying various rooms in the city, he finally secured the basement of the new court house, where he now has one of the largest and most com- plete printing establishments in the city, his office being equipped with presses of enlarged capacity and other appliances of the latest and most improved pattern. Mr. Stouder has a good business, is thoroughly familiar with every detail of the printer's art, and all of his workmanship is first class. His career, since locating in Muncie, presents a series of con-
tinued successes, and he is now classed among the city's most intelligent and energetic citi- zens.
Religiously he believes in the liberal creed of Universalism and in politics supports the republican party. His wife, whose maiden name was Nellie Green, is a daughter of Charles and Mary (Pickard) Green of Muncie.
J OSEPH STRADLING was born in Bucks county, Pa., June 4, 1813. At the age of eight years he lost his father by death, and, within a fortnight there- after, his mother also died, leaving him thus early without the tender associations and hal- lowed influences of home. This loss was meas- ureably repaired, however, by his kind grand- father, who took him to his own home and reared him as one of his own children. He attended the common school during the winter, and worked on his grandfather's farm during the remainder of the year, until he attained the age of seventeen years. At that age he became the apprentice of a carpenter, and, after learning the trade, worked as a journey- man in his native county, and in the city of Philadelphia. At the age of twenty-four years he decided to seek a home in the west, feeling assured that his opportunities there would be more favorable than in the east, where the trades and professions were over- crowded. In 1837, he arrived at Muncie, then a small village, and began work at his trade. He was engaged at carpenter work until 1841, and in that year began the manu- facture of wagons. This he continued suc- cessfully for eleven years, and then, with the money saved from his earnings as a mechanic, he purchased eighty acres of land in Section 7, Centre township, where he has ever since re- sided, devoting his time to agricultural pur-
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suits. About thirty acres of hisfarm had been cleared when he purchased it, and he addressed himself at once to the task of clearing and im- proving the balance. Subsequently, he pur- chased forty acres in Section 18, a portion of which he has since cleared. His entire life has been marked by industry and energy, and by faithful and diligent labor he has amassed a competence to sustain him in his declining years. While he has always been prudent and economical, he has never been close or stingy, and is a well known friend to improve- ment. All enterprises having for their object the welfare of the country have received his hearty encouragement and support, and he has contributed liberally of his time and means for their advancement. His life has always been upright and honorable, and, wherever he is known, he is honored and esteemed by all.
On the 4th day of May, 1843, he was united in marriage with Miss Jane Stewart, who was born in Warren county, Ohio, Janu- ary 4, 1824, and came with her parents, Sam- uel and Mary Stewart, to Delaware county, Ind., settling in Salem township, in March, 1830. They are the parents of seven children, named respectively, William H., John M., Mary E., Martha J., Warren S., Charles E. and Arthur R. William H. and Charles E. are deceased, and Martha J. married James J. Warfel in October, 1877. William H. enlist- ed in company B, Sixty-ninth Indiana volun- teer infantry, and served with the same until his death, at East Pascagoula, Miss., January 5, 1865. As already stated Mr Stradling has been successful in a financial sense, and now owns 228 acres of valuable land in Delaware county, the greater part of which is under a high state of cultivation. In 1841 he brought the first buggy to Muncie that was ever used in Delaware county. He recalls with much pleasure the stirring scenes of pioneer times in which he bore such a prominent part, and the
incidents and reminiscences of his life at that early period are among his most pleasing rec- ollections.
ILLIAM STRADLING was born March 27, 1811, in Bucks county, Pa. Daniel Stradling, his father, was a native of the same county and state, born about the year 1790, and married n Montgomery county, Pa., Miss Elizabeth Rhodes, who bore him the following children: Sophia, deceased; John, deceased; William, whose name introduces this sketch; Moses and Joseph Stradling. After his marriage, Daniel Stradling engaged in mercantile business in Bucks county, Pa., and after continuing for nine years, began farming, which he carried on the remainder of his life. He and wife died in Montgomery county, Pa., in the year 1824. They were members of the Society of Friends, and Daniel Stradling was a whig in his political belief and a very successful man financially.
William Stradling grew to manhood in his native county and state, was reared on a farm, but early learned the carpenter's trade under E. Good, with whom he served a four years' apprenticeship, acquiring great proficiency as a mechanic in the meantime. After mastering his trade, he worked at the same as a journey- man for three years in Bucks county, after which he began contracting and building upon his own responsibility and was thus employed for twenty years. In 1855 he moved to Dela- ware county, Ind., and purchased 120 acres of wood land in Centre township, from which in time he developed a beautiful and highly cul- tivated farm, where he has since resided. Mr. Stradling was married in Bucks county, Pa., February 29, 1835, to Miss Jane Michener, whose birth occurred in Bucks county, Pa., on
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the 7th day of March, 1817. Mrs. Stradling is the daughter of George and Isabelle (Shan- non) Michener, early settlers of Bucks county, and descendants of old English families that settled in Pennsylvania at a period antedating the Revolutionary struggle. Mr. and Mrs. Stradling are the parents of thirteen children, namely: Mary E .; Martha, John (deceased), Isabelle, Joseph, George, Thomas, Sophia (de- ceased), Anna, Clinton, Edward, Catherine and Julia (deceased). Politically Mr. Stradling is a republican and in religion adheres to the simple Quaker faith of his ancestors. He is a citizen and neighbor highly honored in his community, and his aim has been not so much to amass this world's goods as to establish a reputation for honesty and integrity. That he has accomplished this laudable aim is attested by the high estimation in which he is held by fellow citizens, and in his sphere of life nobly and faithfully has he performed every duty that presented itself.
J AMES L. STREETER is a native of Delaware county, and a descendant of New England ancestors. His grand- father, John Streeter, was a native of the state of Vermont, in which state he lived and died. His father, Calvin P. Streeter, was also a native of that state, and acquired a good business education as a clerk in a mercantile establishment there. When quite a young man (1836) he emigrated to Delaware county, Ind., and embarked in mercantile pursuits at the village of New Burlington, in Perry town- ship. A few years subsequently he removed to the village of Wheeling, in Washington town- ship, and, in 1856, to Muncie, where he resided until his death, January 12, 1881. In this city he engaged in the dry goods trade, and, two years later, accepted the position of superin-
tendent in the packing-house of Ira Hunter & Co., remaining with this firm and its succes- sors until about 1876, when he retired from active business. In January, 1841, he married Mi s Mary E., daughter of Stephen Long, one of the early treasurers of Delaware county. This union was blessed with five children, viz: James L., Stephen, Mary E., Leonora and Laura, of whom the last named two are de- ceased.
James L. Streeter was born December 2, 1841, in the village of New Burlington, Dela- ware county, Ind. At the district school near his home he acquired the elements of an edu- cation, subsequently pursuing his studies at the public schools of Muncie, and, at a time just prior to the late war, he attended Indiana Asbury university for a short time, obtaining an insight into the classic studies. His incli- nations, as well as his experience, led him to adopt mercantile pursuits as his vocation in life-a field for which he is well qualified, and in which he has proved his native ability. His first venture was in the drug trade, in which he formed a copartnership with Dr. Robert Winton, of Muncie. After conducting a satisfactory and lucrative trade for several years, both retired and sold the store. Mr. Streeter then engaged in the grocery trade, which he pursued for about two years. At the end of that time, he engaged in the sale of dry goods, which he continued for an equal period. Then, in 1870, he embarked in the produce business, at which he is still engaged, buying and shipping large quantities of butter, eggs,. poultry, etc., and also in the grain trade.
At the republican county convention of 1878, he became the nominee of his party for the office of recorder of Delaware county. His commercial intercourse with the people of the county gained for him a good reputation for integrity and probity of character, and the election that followed his nomination, in Octo-
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ber of the same year, resulted in a large ma- jority of votes in his favor. In 1882 he was complimented by a re-election as recorder.
He discharged the duties of his position with great impartiality, and has served with credit to himself, and to nearly the entire satis- faction of every one as can be reasonably ex- pected of a public official who has so many tastes to please. He has been very unselfish in his efforts to accommodate those whose business lead them to his office. In 1890 he was elected a member of the common council of Muncie, and served as such one term. At this time he is connected with S. Cammack & Co. in the grain business, and is also identified with the R. H. Horne produce company. As a business man and public official, he has gain- ed the confidence and esteem of all whose pleasure it is to know him, and has won friend- ship permanent and deep. He is a member in good standing in Delaware lodge, No. 46, A., F. & A. M., and Muncie commandery, No. 18, K. T. February 14, 1867, he gave his hand in marriage to Miss Mary J., daughter of John Marsh, Esq., of Muncie. Three bright, intel- ligent and promising children, Harry, Edna and Charley, have crowned the happiness of this union. Harry Streeter is an active young manufacturer of Muncie, being connected with the Port Glass works of this city.
Q HRISTIAN STUCKY, deceased, son of John and Kate Stucky, was born in the province of Alsace, France, February 2, 1820, was well instructed* in French, German and English, and learned the trade of tanning in his native land, and there followed the business until he was about thirty years of age, when he came to America and located at first in Dayton, Ohio, for a short time, and then settled in Muncie, Ind.,
some time before the opening of the late war. He here first worked in the tannery of Mr. Powers, and later for Mark Walling; just after the war he purchased Mr. Walling's tannery, situated where the garbage furnace now stands, and ran it in connection with his harness shop on High street, and was quite prosperous until his death, which occurred January 13, 1884, in his sixty-fifth year. He had begun with but a small capital, but by his industrious habits accumulated a competence and made ample provision for his surviving family.
His marriage took place, in 1856, to Sarah Gruber, daughter of William and Catherine (Ludwig) Gruber, natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Stucky was born in 1856, and was but three years of age when brought to Delaware county by her parents, who settled near York- town; she was but nine years of age when she lost her mother, and at the age of eighteen she lost her father, when she left her childhood's home near Yorktown and moved to Muncie to reside with a sister, and two years later, at the age of twenty, was married to Mr. Stucky. Five children blessed this union, and were named as follows: Alfred Leroy, a harness maker at Washington Court House, Ohio; Frank William, a plasterer of Muncie; Katie, wife of James N. Evers, a laundryman of Muncie; Charles Henry, who died at the age of twenty-three, and John C., in the employ- ment of Mr. Evers.
J OB SWAIN, son of Elihu Swain, was born on Lost Creek near Dandridge, Jefferson county, Tenn., January 20, 1806. He was brought to Indiana by his parents when but nine years old. The family settled near Economy, Wayne county, in 1815. Being of the order of Friends, they forsook their home in the south that they
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might rear their children, nine in number, where the blighting curse of slavery was not felt. Here Job Swain grew to manhood, and received such education as the schools of Wayne county afforded.
He came to Muncie in 1828, then only a hamlet of a few cabins, and subsequently mar- ried Nancy Hodge, sister to James Hodge, Esq. His wife died in 1858, leaving him three sons and three daughters: Orlando H., Elihu H. and James; Eliza, since deceased, Mrs. George W, Spilker and Mrs. William R. Maddy. September 1, 1859, Mr. Swain was married to Mrs. Emily Shafer, and of this marriage was born Charles W. Swain. Mrs. Emily Swain, widow of the late Job Swain, was a daughter of Jacob Shimer and was born at Chesterfield, Madison county, Ind., in 1826. She received a common school education in the schools of that period, and at the age of twelve went to live with her grand parents. In 1849, she was married to Andrew Shafer, a native of Tennessee, who learned the trade of black- smith with Thomas S. Neely, of Muncie, and followed his trade at Chesterfield, where he died in 1856, and three years later she was married to Job Swain, as noted above,
On coming to Muncie, Mr. Swain learned the trade of cabinet making, with his father- in-law, Mr. Hodge, and followed that business for several years, having once owned a shop with Mr. Nottingham, where the Boyce block now stands. He was the first elected mayor of Muncie and served as justice of the peace for twenty-three years, holding that position at the time of his death, April 29, 1877.
He was reared under the influence of the Society of Friends, but in 1839 united with the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he held official relations, being class leader at the close of his life. In stature, he was six feet and two inches tall and well proportioned. He was in all respects a truly good man, and
lived a life as nearly free from blame as mortal man could be expected to live. He had many friends and very few enemies, and no one, perhaps, ever possessed the esteem and confi- dence of his friends and neighbors in a more marked degree.
Charles W. Swain, assistant postmaster, youngest son of the late Job Swain, was born in Muncie, January 15, 1862. He received a thorough education in the Muncie public schools, graduating from the high school with the class of 1881. He immediately entered the postoffice as clerk under J. C. Eiler, Esq., and some months later had gained such knowledge of the detail working of the various departments of the office and had acquired such proficiency in its management and service that he was promoted by Mr. Eiler to the po- sition of assistant postmaster. Corporal R. I. Patterson retained him in the same position during the four years of his administration as postmaster, and Mr. John E. Banta, although of opposite political belief, made Mr. Swain his chief assistant during his term, except eighteen months, which were utilized in much needed rest from the arduous duties of the office, and also in completing a comprehensive commer- cial course in the Northern Indiana Normal school at Valparaiso, from which he gradu- ated in 1887.
Mr. Swain served Mr. Banta till the close of his term, and was retained assistant by Postmaster Ellis, in which relation he has served both his superiors in office and the gen- eral public in a satisfactory manner for over a decade. That his efficiency, trustworthiness and skill are held in high esteem by the postof- fice department is evidenced by the fact that he was made chairman of the local board of civil service examiners, and that he is fully capable of carrying out the somewhat vexatious duties of this position is further evidenced by the satisfaction he has given even to applicants.
O.Ile. Svam
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O RLANDO H. SWAIN, the popular ex- sheriff and one of the prominent and most faithful officials of Delaware county, was born in Wayne county, Ind., January 27, 1835, a son of Job and Nancy (Hodge) Swain. The father was born in east Tennessee, January 20, 1806, removed to In- diana with his parents in an early day, and married in Muncie, in 1828, Miss Nancy Hodge, who was born in Beaver county, Pa., on the 3d day of May, 1803. After their mar- riage Mr. and Mrs. Swain located in Muncie, where they resided for three years, removing at the end of that time to Wayne county, which was their home until 1835. In that year Mr. Swain returned to Muncie, and for several years thereafter was engaged in the mercantile business. He became a prominent man of the city, served as justice of the peace for many years, and was also mayor for a num- ber of terms. Originally, he was a whig in his political belief, and at the birth of the republi- can party became firm in his adherence to its principles until his death, which occurred April 29, 1877; his wife preceded him to the grave, departing this life in the year 1858. By his first marriage he became the father of seven children, of whom Orlando H. Swain was the third in order of birth. Both Mr. Swain and his first wife were people of deep religious feel- ing, and, as faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church, did much toward arousing and keeping alive a religious interest wherever they resided. After the latter's death, Mr. Swain married Mrs. Emily Shafer, who bore him one child. Fraternally Mr. Swain was identified with the Odd Fellows, in which order he took an active part, and in the counsels of which he was ever an earnest and potent factor.
While still an infant of a few months, Or- lando H. Swain was brought to Muncie by his parents, the removal taking place in May,
1835, and he therefore regards the city of his residence with as much affection as if it were the place of his nativity. The educational advantages offered by the schools of that period were his, and after completing his course in the same, he learned the tinner's trade, in which he became quite proficient and which he followed for a period of nine years in Muncie. At the outbreak of the civil war his sympathies at once prompted him to tender his services to his country, accordingly, in July, 1862, he enlisted in company D, Eighty-fourth Indiana volunteer infantry, with which he served gallantry until the cessation of hostilities, retiring from the army with the rank of second lieutenant. During his term of service he shared the vicissitudes and for- tunes of war in a number of hard fought bat- tles, including Chickamauga, the Atlanta cam- paign, Franklin, Nashville, and many other engagements, and thereby earned a reputation of which any brave soldier might feel de- servedly proud. His first commanding officer was Gen. Sherman. Later he was under Gen. Thomas, and his regiment passed through the many fiery ordeals rendered famous in the annals of our country's history by the superior leadership of those two brave and intrepid commanders.
At the close of the war, Mr. Swain re- turned home and engaged in the draying and transfer business until 1869, when he was elected to the office of sheriff of Delaware county, which position he acceptably filled for two terms, or four years. At the expiration of his second term of office he resumed the business of draying, and later received the ap- pointment of deputy marshal of Muncie, the duties of which he discharged very acceptably for a period of nine years. His great personal popularity was again attested by his re-election as sheriff of the county in 1889, and during his third term conducted the affairs of the
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office with credit to himself and in a manner highly satisfactory to the people of the county. In addition to the above mentioned offices Mr. Swain filled the position of city assessor for two years, and also served as member of the city council for the same length of time, hav- ing taken an active part in the deliberations of that body during his incumbency. Politically Mr. Swain is a republican, and as such has been prominent in the councils of his party in Delaware county. Various secret organiza- tions of Muncie find in him a prominent mem- ber and liberal patron, as he is connected with Delaware lodge, A. F. & A. M., and Muncie chapter; is a charter member of Welcome lodge, K. of P .; belongs to DeEmber tribe, No. 30, I. O. R. M., and also to Williams post, No. 78, G. A. R. He is a member of the Citizens Enterprise company of Muncie, and has done much toward promoting the material welfare of the city. Mr. Swain was married March 1, 1859, to Miss Clara R. Lenon, daughter of Daniel and Sophia Lenon, of Miami county, Ohio, to which union two children have been born: Mary A., wife of William Russay of Muncie, and Winnie E. Swain. Mr. and Mrs. Swain are members of the Universalist church, being active members in the Muncie congregation.
a HARLES W. MOORE .- The sub- ject of this sketch was born near Portsmouth, Ohio. His parents sold their farm in the beautiful Scioto bottoms near that city in the fall of 1830, at which time they moved in a wagon to Dela- ware county, Ind. He was one of thirteen children, eleven of whom were born in Ohio. His parents entered the land owned by James Boyce, three miles east of Muncie. This was a pioneer family. Then they had but two
near neighbors; Lewis Moore and George Tru- itt. The family consisted of William J., Phillip, Levi, John S., Charles M., Joseph, Milton, Enos, Cynthia and Jemima. Cynthia was the the wife of Jacob Calvert, and Jemima that of James E. Wilcoxon. Said William, Levi, John, Milton and Cynthia are now dead. John S., and Milton both died unmarried. Our subject received the benefit of the com- mon schools of those days but little, and that little only in the winter. His parents did not live long to enjoy the blessings of a useful life, but they had brought the religion of their forefathers with them, and practiced it in the wilds of their new home. The mother was transferred from the rude temporal church of the frontier to that eternal church above in the autumn of 1838, and the father followed to the church triumphant in the spring of 1840. Charles W. was fourteen years of age when his father died, but he found a home with his brother William until he reached his majority in 1847. He then attended the old seminary in Muncie under the superintendency of Profs. J. S. Ferris and R B. Abbott. In the fall of 1850 he entered the sophomore class in Asbury university, graduating at the head of his class in the summer of 1853. In the fall of that year, he was elected professor of mathematics at the Wesleyan Female col- lege at Cincinnati, Ohio. After teaching there and in Muncie, Ind., for a good many year, he studied law and entered upon the practice of his chosen profession at Muncie about the year 1860. He has ever since enjoyed a suc- cessful practice. He was first married in December, 1855, to Sarah E., eldest daughter of Rev. G. M. Beswick, of Greencastle, Ind. One daughter was born to them, which died in infancy. After his wife's death, in 1857, he remained single till the fall of 1861, four years and two months, when he was married to Clara J., second daughter of Samuel P. Wil-
James W. Sempler.
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son, an old and respected citizen of Muncie, and who was the father of Mrs. Mary E., widow of tbe late John W. Burson. Two children were born of this marriage: Charles E. and Mary E. Charles E. was for many ' years bookkeeper and teller of the Muncie National bank, and its successor, the Burson bank, and the Delaware County bank, all of Muncie. He is now the secretary and treas- urer of the Patterson Glass company, located at West Muncie, in which he is a stockholder. Mary E., long a faithful and efficient teach- er in the Muncie public schools, is now the wife of William R. Youse, of the firm of Youse & Haffner, carpet and paper dealers of Muncie, Ind. Charles W. Moore is pre-emi- nently one of the self made men of our times, having practically worked his way through college by teaching, and finally receiving the degree of A. B., and later that of A. M., from his alma mater. He is withal a modest, un- assuming man, and is connected with the Methodist Episcopal church, also, with the I. O. O. F. and Knight Templar lodges of this city, and he has the satisfaction in his decling years of seeing all his family consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal or some other church.
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