USA > Indiana > Newton County > A standard history of Jasper and Newton counties, Indiana : an authentic narrative of the past, with an extended survey of modern developments in the progress of town and country, Volume I > Part 36
USA > Indiana > Jasper County > A standard history of Jasper and Newton counties, Indiana : an authentic narrative of the past, with an extended survey of modern developments in the progress of town and country, Volume I > Part 36
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40
On September 25, 1889, Mr. Long married Elizabeth Purcupile. a daughter of Archibald and Elizabeth (Howe) Purcupile. They have one of the comfortable homes of Rensselaer and their marriage has been blessed by the birth of two children: George A. and Martha. The son, George A. Long, after graduating from the Rensselaer High School spent two years in the University of Illi- nois at Champaign. He later graduated from the College of Pharmacy in Chicago, and is now associated with his father in the drug business at Rensselaer. He married Miss Nell Moody, a daughter of Granville Moody, of Rensselaer, and they have two daughters, Elizabeth Jane and Eleanor Martin. Martha, the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Long, graduated from the Rensselaer High School and then spent two years in the Women's College at Oxford, Ohio. She is now the wife of Russell E. Strawbridge, of Niagara Falls, New York, where he is an electrician. Mr. Long is a popular member of the community, is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge and the Knights of Pythias, in politics is a republican, and he and his family are members of the Presbyterian church.
LOUIS H. HAMILTON has filled a useful and honorable place in Jasper County for many years. The record of his life is one that affords lessons of incentive to young men who start out without influential family connections and with no means beyond their individual ability to make a mark in the world.
At the age of two years Louis Hayes Hamilton was left an orphan in Indianapolis, and spent the next six years in an orphan home. He was then placed with a farmer, John G. Culp, in Barkley Township of Jasper County, and remained in his home until he was fourteen, when he ran away, and has since been the sole guide 'of his individual destiny. Hard manual labor was naturally an important part of his early experience, but while working in a tile factory he lost his right arm at the age of fifteen and had to turn his energies in another direction. He sought an education, and
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in 1891 graduated from the Rensselaer High School, and subse- quently attended the Valparaiso University and the Indiana State Normal School at Terre Haute.
A great many people in Jasper and other counties of the state know Mr. Hamilton best through his long associations with educa- tional affairs. He holds a life state teacher's license. He taught many terms of school in the various districts of Jasper County, and from 1897 to 1907 administered the entire school system of the county as county superintendent. During that time he was presi- dent of the County Superintendents' State Association and was also vice president of the Indiana State Teachers' Association.
Since 1908 Mr. Hamilton has been engaged in business affairs at Rensselaer, and he has also read law and has been admitted to the Indiana bar. All this is an encouraging record when the handicaps and difficulties of his early life are taken into consideration.
Mr. Hamilton is a director in the Trust and Savings Bank of Rensselaer, is a trustee of the public library and a trustee of the County Hospital. Politically he is a republican. He is a past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias Lodge, is a past noble grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has held the post of inner guard in the Grand Lodge, and is past chief patriarch of the Encampment. He is also a member of the Columbia Club of Indianapolis. Mr. Hamilton is elder and president of the board of the Christian Church at Rensselaer.
On September 24, 1894, in Hanging Grove Township of Jasper County, he married Mary Robinson, daughter of George and Rebecca Robinson. They have two children: Fred H. Hamilton, who is twenty-one years of age, and is connected with the Daily Courier-News at Fargo, North Dakota; and Marie Hamilton, aged eighteen, and a student in Butler University.
THE PECK FAMILY. For the past forty years this family has been one of prominence and influence in Jasper County, and its representatives have been primarily identified with the civic and business activities of the thriving village of Remington.
Daniel W. Peck, who figures as the founder of the family in Jasper County, and who established his residence at Remington in the year 1875, traced his genealogy in a direct way back to Joseph Peck, who, in company with a brother, Rev. Robert Peck, was prompted in large measure by religious persecution to leave his native England and seek the greater liberties of conscience and of thought and action that were to be had in new and far distant colonies of America. The two brothers thus came to this country in the year 1638, and they established a home in the Massachusetts colony, the family name having been one of prominence in New
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England annals as one generation has followed another on to the stage of life's activities, and numerous representatives of the name having gone forth to uphold the prestige of an honored patronymic in various other states of the Union.
Daniel W. Peck was born at Salem, Washington County, Indiana, on the 29th of July, 1839, a date that indicates beyond all peradventure that his parents were numbered among the early pioneers of the Hoosier commonwealth. He was a son of Oliver Peck and a grandson of Samuel Peck. In the county of his nativity he was reared to manhood and there, on the IIth of November, 1862, was solemnized his marriage to Miss Elizabeth Lockwood. He initiated his business career as clerk in a store at Salem and later engaged in the mercantile business in an independent way, in his native county. At the time, within the period of the Civil war, that General Morgan, the intrepid Confederate commander, made his famous raids into Indiana and Ohio he made one of his dis- tinctively unpopular visitations to the town of Salem, where he laid heavy tribute on all who professed sympathy with the Union cause. It was but natural that his depredations should touch with special vigor Daniel W. Peck, who was then engaged in business at that place, and who was not only ardent and fearless in his loyal work and labors in behalf of the Union but who also had brothers in active service as soldiers in the Federal ranks. The goods of Mr. Peck's store were virtually confiscated by General Morgan and his band of raiders, and such articles of the stock as they could not carry away and utilize they effectually destroyed. Mr. Peck was not discouraged in that he had thus to bear his quota of the hard- ships of the war, but he replenished his store and again developed a substantial business, only to meet heavy losses at later periods, through burglary and fire.
In 1875, as previously intimated, Mr. Peck removed with his family to Jasper County and established his home at Remington, where he engaged in the general merchandise business. Adverse conditions faced him in the new field of endeavor, for it is a matter of well known local history that the years 1875, 1876 and 1877 were marked by extreme financial depression and attendant panic and distress in Jasper County. Crops were practical failures and credit was an imperative element in the carrying on of retail mercantile enterprises. Hundreds of families removed from this section of Indiana to Kansas and other sections of the Union, virtually flee- ing in consternation and with little preparation, besides which many of them failed to make good their financial obligations in the old homes prior to their hurried departure. The capitalistic resources of Mr. Peck were limited and his widely extended credits made it impossible to overcome the adverse forces when he was unable to realize to an appreciable degree on these credits. Steadfast and true in all of the relations of life, he again faced financial disaster with fortitude, but while he measurably retrieved his fortunes there
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can be little doubt that his successive encounters with the "slings and arrows of outrageous fortune" did much to break down his physical powers and to cause his death while in the prime of his useful manhood. He passed away in November, 1885, and his devoted wife survived him by nearly a score of years, she having been summoned to eternal rest on the 29th of June, 1905, and hav- ing continued to maintain her home at Remington until her demise. All of the seven children were reared to maturity at Remington, and individual mention of them is made in the appending para- graphs.
Charles H. Peck, eldest of the children, was born at Salem, Washington County, on the 2d of October, 1863, and thus was a lad of twelve years at the time of the family removal to Remington, where he continued his studies in the public schools and where he began his business career as a youthful clerk in a local mercantile establishment. In September, 1895, he initiated in a modest way his independent activities as a merchant in Remington, and by fair and honorable dealings, careful and effective service to patrons, and progressive policies he developed within a comparatively brief period a substantial business. In 1906 his establishment was con- verted into a general department store, and in the conducting of the large and representative business three rooms on the street level are utilized, besides which the upper floor and basement of the buildings are also demanded for the accommodation of the varied stock and the proper service in the various departments. An idea of the comprehensiveness of this admirably conducted business is conveyed when it is stated that the valuation of the stock carried may be conservatively placed at about $30,000 and that in the well- appointed establishment, employment is given to a corps of seven assistants. Mr. Peck holds secure prestige as one of the representa- tive business men and loyal and public-spirited citizens of Jasper County, and it may be said with all of consistency that he is at the present time the leading merchant of Remington. He is affiliated with the local organizations of the Masonic fraternity Remington Lodge No. 351 and the Knights of Pythias Castle Hall No. 58. Mr. Peck wedded Miss Alice Allman. In writing of her death a local publication used the following well chosen words :
"Alice A. Allman, daughter of Josiah H. and Mary C. Allman, was born at Navarre, Ohio, March 8, 1858, and passed away at her late home in Remington, Ind., April 3, 1916.
"She was united in marriage to Charles H. Peck, June 13, 1886. To this union was born three children, Mrs. H. H. Bow- man, of Monticello, and Fred Peck and Miss Laura Peck, of Rem- ington.
"She leaves to mourn her loss, her husband, Charles H. Peck, the two daughters and one son just mentioned, her mother, Mrs. Mary C. Allman, of Remington, her brother, Jesse Allman, of Rensselaer, an only sister, Mrs. Ida Coover, of Denver, Colorado,
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and two grandchildren, besides a large number of other relatives. Her circle of friends was bounded only by her acquaintances, and her untimely taking away will cause sorrow and regret in the hearts of all who knew her.
"Mrs. Peck was a Christian woman of the highest character and of more than usual ability. For many years she was a faithful and consecrated member of the Remington Christian Church and she came to her death with unwavering faith in God. Her Chris- tian life may well be an example to all Christians everywhere. She not only measured up to the standards of Christian service, but as a neighbor and friend she was ever steadfast and faithful. Her quiet manner of suggesting sane advice on important questions, will always be remembered by her friends. She will be missed by the community at large and her place will not soon be filled. In the home circle where she was loved most dearly, she will be missed most sadly.
"Her going from this world was by way of the most excruci- ating suffering, but we have a right to believe that she is now in a land of eternal joy and sunshine. A perfect bower of flowers such as one seldom sees on such an occasion, testified in a most beauti- ful way of the esteem in which she was held.
"On Thursday, April 6th, a large concourse of friends gathered at the late home to pay the last public tribute of love and respect to her memory. The funeral sermon was preached by H. Randal Lookabill, of Crawfordsville, who is a close friend of the family, and for several years was Mrs. Peck's pastor. He was assisted by Rev. Konkel, the present pastor of the Remington Christian Church. The interment took place at the Remington Cemetery."
William E. Peck, the second son in this representative family of Jasper County, became one of the most prominent and influential citizens of the southern part of the county. For some time he held the position of engineer for A. Wolcott & Son, engaged in the grain business, and later he was associated with the business of the firm of Hartley Brothers. Under the first administrative term of Presi- dent Mckinley Mr. Peck was appointed postmaster of Reming- ton, and through successive reappointments he continued the in- cumbent of this office for sixteen years. He was a man of large physique, was genial, kindly, courteous and considerate, and his circle of friends was coextensive with that of his acquaintances. He was specially active in the Masonic fraternity and the Knights of Pythias, and, like his father and brothers, was a stalwart advo- cate of the cause of the republican party. In September, 1914, he removed with his family to beautiful Chautauqua County, New York, where he had purchased a fine farm of 200 acres, but he was not long permitted to enjoy the new home, for he died on the 12th of January, 1915,-the forty-ninth anniversary of his birth. His wife, whose maiden name was Lottie E. Coover, survives him, as do also their five children.
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Frank L. Peck was born in Washington County, this state, on the 9th of October, 1874, and in the following year his parents re- moved to Remington, where he has since maintained his home and where his early educational advantages were those of the excellent public schools. At the age of thirteen years he became a clerical assistant in the drug store of E. H. Briggs, with whom he remained about three years, after which he continued his services in the same store, after the organization of the firm of Briggs & Larsh, until 1895, when he engaged in the same line of business in an individual way, his drug store being now one of the best in the village, both in appointments and facilities, as well as in all departments of its service. He is affiliated with the Masonic frater- nity Remington Lodge No. 351 and the Knights of Pythias Castle Hall No. 58 and both he and his wife hold membership in the Presbyterian Church. On the 10th of October, 1895, Mr. Peck married Miss May Tedford, and they have one son, Bruce.
Isaac L. Peck was born at Remington, Indiana, on the 13th of February, 1876, and after availing himself duly of the advantages of the public schools he was for a time employed in a clerical capacity. For the past several years he has conducted a successful business as a contractor in the construction of stone roads, and after the death of his brother William E., in 1915, he went to Chautauqua County, New York, to assist in the supervision and administration of the latter's estate. He is the only one of the children of the late Daniel W. Peck who is not married.
James I. Peck, who is associated with his brother Frank L. in the drug business at Remington, was born in this village on the Ist of September, 1877, and as a youth he followed various occu- pations, including service as a carrier on one of the rural mail routes emanating from Remington. He has been associated with his brother in the drug store since 1903, and like his brothers is a republican and identified with the Masonic fraternity Remington Lodge No. 351 and the Knights of Pythias, Castle Hall No. 58. On the 20th of February, 1908, was solemnized his marriage to Miss Katharine Meehan.
Mary E. Peck, the only daughter, was born and reared at Rem- ington, and here was solemnized her marriage to Max T. Price. They now reside at Charleston, Virginia, and have one son, Charles H.
Maurice B. Peck, the youngest of the children, has been a resi- dent of Remington from the time of his birth, which here occurred on the 17th of February, 1884,-about one year and nine months prior to the death of his father. From his youth he has been associated with the mercantile business conducted by his eldest brother. On the 20th of February, 1907, he wedded Miss June Bowman, and they have one daughter, Maxine. He has followed the family rule in his political and fraternal associations, and thus is a republican, a Mason and a member of the Knights of Pythias.
Warren. J. Mocbray
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The Peck family as a whole is one of prominence in the repre- sentative social activities of Remington and its various members in Jasper County have fully merited the unalloyed popular esteem accorded them.
WARREN T. McCRAY. Widely known as he is, as the "Hereford Cattle King," Warren T. McCray, one of Newton County's most prominent men, is almost as well known in other connections of great importance all over the State of Indiana.
Mr. McCray is the greatest breeder of Hereford cattle in the world, his famous cattle farm of 1,600 acres in Newton County, producing animals that have commanded a selling price as high as $10,000 each. At his eighth annual sale, held on May 17, 1916, he sold at public auction seventy-five head of his surplus cattle, most of which were of his own breeding, for the sum of $96,525, or an average of $1,287, thus establishing a world's record.
Warren T. McCray was born on the old family homestead in Newton County, Indiana, February 4, 1865, being the second child and only son of Greenberry Ward and Martha J. (Galey) McCray. Since 1862 Newton County has been the family home. Reared in a democratic way, his education was secured in the public schools, and after being graduated from the Kentland High School, he en- tered the service of the Discount & Deposit State Bank at Kent- land, of which his father was president for forty years. At the age of twenty-one, Mr. McCray decided to embark in business for himself, and purchasing an interest in a grocery store and developing it into the leading establishment of the kind in North- western Indiana, he foreshadowed the great achievements that his sagacity, shrewdness and ingenuity subsequently brought about. In 1889 he bought an interest in a grain business, and again his business faculties brought him an added measure of success, and in many sections of the state he was looked upon as the "Grain King," owning a string of elevators along the railroads of Northern Indiana and becoming president of the National Association of Grain Dealers. He was honored by being elected to this high posi- tion for three terms.
From grain it was a natural step into the cattle business, and here again did his sure financial sense lead to prosperity. He has become the recognized Hereford King, not of the United States alone but of all the world. His herds are famous and his model farm in Newton County is a Mecca attracting visitors from all over the country. The family still owns the land that his father secured over a half century ago. All his agricultural operations are con- ducted along modern lines, and his farms are notably productive, as they are carefully and scientifically cultivated. In all his under- takings, Mr. McCray has shown foresight and general enterprise, and a progressiveness that is indicative of great mental alertness.
In no uncertain way has Mr. McCray been a supporter of the
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policies of the republican party, and this party has indicated a desire to bestow upon him the greatest honor in the state. Popular with all classes and often previously urged to enter a personal political campaign which he invariably declined, he found the call so urgent in July, 1915, that he became a candidate of his party for the office of governor. He felt that a great opportunity was presented for the furthering of vital moments in which he has been interested for a lifetime. On the occasion of a great gathering of Newton, Jasper and Benton counties and Tenth District republicans, all his per- sonal and political friends, Mr. McCray was so impressed by the warmth and sincerity of the demonstration that he changed his policy of non-acceptance and, in a remarkable speech, consented to be his party's candidate for the exalted office of chief state executive. His closing remarks were :
"No matter what honors may come to me hereafter, there can be none that will stand out in my memory more clearly than this honor you have shown me today. And it will be my constant prayer and benediction that no act of mine will ever cause you to regret the confidence you have this day reposed in me. May God bless and keep you all, and may the sunshine of His favor be upon us and give us wisdom, uprightness and victory."
He made an active canvass for the nomination at the primaries, and his campaign was characterized by the clean, high-minded man- ner in which it was conducted. He made many true and lasting friends, but was defeated by Mr. Goodrich, who had the advan- tage of an extended political acquaintance of long standing.
On June 15, 1892, Mr. McCray was united in marriage with Ella M. Ade, the youngest child of John and Adaline (Bush) Ade and a sister of George Ade, distinguished author and playwright. To them were born four children, Lucile Ade, born October 30. 1893; Gilbert, born October 14, 1896, deceased in infancy ; Marian, born April 23, 1900; and George Warren, born September 7, 1902. Mr. McCray and family are active members of the Presbyterian Church.
The great business interests that have been paramount in the career of Warren T. McCray have connected him with the leading men of the day in every sphere and circle, and on them he has left his impress as a man of great business ability, with a personality honest, sincere and agreeable. He has had a busy life, with little leisure to devote to organizations of a merely social character, but is identified with such fraternal orders as the Masons, and Knights of Pythias. At present he is the head of his father's old banking house, maintaining its well-known prestige along modern lines. In addition to being identified as already mentioned, Mr. McCray is president of the Indiana State Board of Agriculture; ex-president of the American Hereford Association and former president of the Indiana Livestock Breeders' Association. On many occasions he has been called upon to serve on honorary boards in the public
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service, and for eleven years was a member of the board of trus- tees of the Northern Indiana Hospital for the Insane. Kentland and Newton County claim him as one of their most able, useful and vital citizens.
GREENBERRY WARD MCCRAY. The second son of William and Lucinda (Edwards) McCray, was born on a farm near Conners- ville, Indiana, July 13, 1839. At an early age he moved with his parents to a farm near Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, In- diana. Here he grew to manhood surrounded by the influences that accompanied the struggling pioneer life of early Indiana. He had the advantages of such public schools as existed at that time, and after teaching one winter he spent one year in the preparatory school for Wabash College.
On March 6, 1862, he was joined in marriage to Martha Jane Galey, daughter of Samuel Smith and Elizabeth Galey, who lived on an adjoining farm to the McCray homestead, thus culminating a romance in the lives of these neighboring children whose early affections ripened into love and marriage. Within a few days after the wedding ceremony they started in a covered wagon across the trackless prairie to the new home in Newton County, which he had previously bought and prepared for his future residence. They located on the newly acquired farm, situated about 21/2 miles from the present town of Brook. At that time the Pan-Handle Railroad was just being built from Logansport to Peoria, through Goodland and Kentland, thus placing them within twelve to fourteen miles of railroad facilities.
They continued to live on this farm until October, 1870, when they moved to Kentland, the county-seat. During this time they were blessed with three children, Fannie, the eldest, who married Frank A. Comparet, a prominent lawyer of the Newton County bar; Warren T., a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere, and Annie E., all of whom now live in Kentland.
Upon moving to town, Mr. McCray engaged in the livery and implement business, besides looking after his extensive farming and live-stock interests. In 1874 he joined in a partnership with John Ade and E. Littell Urmston, in the banking business, and continued as president of the institution until his death, December 13, 1913.
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