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 40
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 40
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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
In politics Doctor Loughridge gave unwavering allegiance to the democratic party and he was a stalwart supporter of its principles as exemplified by Jefferson and Jackson. He was a man of pro- found intellectuality, and the alertness of his mind was shown by his graduation in college when he was but eighteen years of age. He was keen and anylatical in his reasoning, was well fortified in his convictions, and was an ardent lover of nature, with rare appreciation of "communion with her visible forms." The "prim- rose by the river's brim," had more of significance to him than a mere yellow primrose; the wild flowers of the uplands and the marshes ever challenged his admiring attention, and all of nature's animate creations he looked upon with the attitude of a friend.
It may well be understood that to a man of such noble character- istics and pervasive patriotism would not fail to espouse his country's cause when its integrity was menaced by armed rebellion.
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When President Lincoln issued his first call for volunteers Doctor Loughridge promptly enlisted and became a surgeon in the Ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and later he served as a company surgeon in the Forty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Few of the old-time citizens of Jasper County had a wider acquaintanceship and no man in Jasper County held more secure vantage-place in popular confidence and esteem. He accumulated a competency, the just reward for his effective and long continued services in his profession, through the medium of which he gained almost in its entirety his material prosperity.
As a young man Doctor Loughridge took unto himself a wife, in the person of Miss Candace Powers, daughter of Francis Powers, who came to Jasper County in the spring of 1845 and who was one of the prominent and honored pioneers of this county. Mrs. Loughridge survived her husband by nearly a score of years, and was summoned to the life eternal on the 18th of May, 1912, at the venerable age of seventy-eight years, her memory being revered by all who came within the compass of her gentle and gracious influence and her name being held in lasting honor in the community that represented her home for many years. Of their three children the first born was Victor, who became a skilled physician and surgeon and who was engaged in the practice of his profession at Rensselaer at the time of his death, in March, 1896, about one year after the death of his father; Virgil died in infancy ; and the youngest of the children, Blanche L., remains as the only surviving representative of the immediate family. She is the wife of James L. Chapman, of Rensselaer, and is a leading factor in the representative social activities of her native city.
WILLIAM M. HOOVER. For more than fifty years William M. Hoover has been helping to make history in Jasper County, where he has led a decidedly active life, beginning with his valued service to the country as a soldier of the Union army. For half a century he has been a prominent farmer in Marion Township and has con- tributed to the growth and development of that locality.
Though a resident of Indiana since infancy, William M. Hoover was born in Ross County, Ohio, August 27, 1844, a son of Alford and Margaret (Rozelle) Hoover, his father a native of Harper's Ferry, Virginia, and his mother of Ohio. In 1846 the family moved from Ohio to Warren County, Indiana, and in 1854 joined the early pioneer settlers of Jasper County, locating on a tract of wild land in section 12 of Marion Township. It was in that locality that Alford Hoover spent his declining years. He was a cooper by trade. but followed farming after his removal to Indiana. The mother of William M. Hoover died February 6, 1904, in very advanced age.
Eighteen months of age when brought to Indiana, William M. Hoover was reared partly in Warren and partly in Jasper County, attended such common schools as were in existence at that time, and
WILLIAM M. HOOVER FAMILY GROUP
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had reached the age of seventeen when he responded to the call for volunteers at one of the critical times of the Civil war. He enlisted August 1I, 1862, in Company A of the Eighty-seventh Indiana Vol- u eer Infantry. This regiment was organized and rendezvoused at South Bend, was mustered in at Indianapolis, and departed for the front in August, 1862. The regiment went to Louisville, Ken- tucky, and Mr. Hoover was first under fire at Crab Orchard. He was a participant in practically all the campaigns throughout Ten- nessee, Kentucky, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia until the strength of the Confederacy in those states was broken. He fought at Tunnel Hill, Benders Prairie, Gallatin, Tulla- homa and at Chickamauga, where more than half of his regiment was wounded or killed and he received a painful wound through the knee. After recovering he was at Rossville, and then sent with his com- mand back to Chattanooga and joining Sherman's forces participated in the practically continuous fighting during the hundred days of advance from Chattanooga up on Atlanta, including the siege and fall of that city. During the Atlanta campaign he was wounded twice in the face, but not sufficiently to keep him out of service for any length of time. After the fall of Atlanta he went on with Sherman to the sea, thence up through the Carolinas, and finally at the close of the war marched in Sherman's victorious hosts up Penn- sylvania Avenue during the Grand Review at Washington. He came out of the army with the rank of corporal, his discharge being dated June 26, 1865, at Indianapolis. He had also served under General Thomas.
Since the close of his military career Mr. Hoover has been con- tinuously identified with farming activities in Marion Township. He has been prospered as he merited through his exceptional industry and good judgment, and is the owner of a fine estate of 480 acres in Marion Township, and still continues farming and also is a buyer and shipper of live stock.
Mr. Hoover married, on the 14th of February, 1867, Miss Nancy J. Adams, who was born in Miami County, Indiana, August 4, 1848, a daughter of Isaac and Anne (Iddings) Adams, and she was reared and educated in her native county. She is a true wife and mother, and a lady of the most pleasing personality. Three sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hoover. Alford A., a resident of Marion Township, where he is engaged in agricultural pursuits, was liberally educated. He has fraternal affiliations with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows at Rensselaer, and both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. He married Miss Evaline Jackson. William I., a resident of Rensselaer, is mentioned elsewhere in this work. Frank L. resides with his parents on the farm. He graduated in the Rensselaer High School, and then matriculated in the state university at Bloomington. He married Miss Leo Knox, and they are members of the Christian Church.
The name of William M. Hoover is well known throughout
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Jasper County both as a private citizen and as one who has been honored with public office. He was elected county treasurer in 1884 and served two years in that office. In politics he is a demo- crat, is a member of the Grand Army Post and is affiliated with the lodge and encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. and Mrs. Hoover are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Rensselaer.
GEORGE E. MURRAY. The persistent application to one line of effort that usually results in business success, has had its effective- ness demonstrated in the case of George E. Murray, one of the prominent citizens of Rensselaer, Indiana, who, from the beginning of his business career has been continuously connected with mercan- tile interests. Mr. Murray is president of the G. E. Murray Com- pany, Inc., an amply financed and important mercantile interest of this section, and also is vice president of the First National Bank of Rensselaer. Still further, he is identified with additional finan- cial concerns and with other enterprises, his aggregated interests covering a wide business field.
George E. Murray was born at Leesburg, Ohio, April 13, 1857, and is a son of Gilbert E. and Henrietta (Sweney) Murray. On the paternal side the ancestry is Scotch and on the maternal is Irish, a combination that has notably resulted in sturdy characteris- tics in descendants. The father of Mr. Murray died when he was six years old and his burial was at Leesburg. After this bereave- ment the mother of Mr. Murray removed with him to Kokomo, Indiana, and there he attended school and spent his boyhood. By the time he was seventeen years of age, however, this period of irresponsibility was over and he started out to make his own way in the world, his success depending entirely upon his own efforts.
Endowed by nature with a business sense, Mr. Murray early decided that the mercantile field would offer favorable opportunities for business advancement, and prior to 1881 he served as a clerk in mercantile houses at Kokomo, acquiring business details and the knowledge that is so necessary in the mercantile line. With this knowledge, in 1881, Mr. Murray came to Rensselaer, Indiana, and in partnership with J. H. S. Ellis, established a store and conducted the same under the firm name of Ellis & Murray until 1903, when he bought his partner's interest and continued alone until 1906.
By this time Mr. Murray had a firmer grasp on business con- ditions, through his mercantile and other interests, and in the above year (1906), he greatly enlarged the scope of his concern and incorporated, with a capitalization of $8,000, under the style of the G. E. Murray Company, Inc., with the following officers : George E. Murray, president ; Charles E. Simpson, vice president ; and Fred Arnott, secretary and treasurer. The stock carried includes general merchandise and groceries, a superior quality only being handled, and sterling business methods dominating the entire house.
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Mr. Murray, as indicated above, is also a very important factor in the financial field, being connected with two banks and being vice president of one, and additionally is concerned as a large stock- holder in a local lumber company. His responsibilities have all been assumed and his undertakings carried on with the marked integrity which has won him the universal confidence he enjoys at home and abroad, and his enterprises all reflect credit upon him and the city in which they are located.
In June, 1889, Mr. Murray was united in marriage with Miss Charlotte O. Hester, who is a daughter of Francis A. and Rebecca (Slack) Hester, residents of Charlestown, Indiana, and they have two children : Helen F. and Gerald E. Mrs. Murray is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while Mr. Murray was reared in the Presbyterian faith. In politics he is a republican but not active except in voicing his approval and casting his vote for his party's candidates. For many years he has been identified fraternally with the Masons Lodge and the Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 82. He has always been liberal in his contributions to benevolent movements and cheerfully assists when unusual demands, as very often occur, are made upon those charitably inclined. Fire, flood and war have presented claims to almost every city in the land in recent years, and Mr. Murray has always been ready to co- operate in sensible, substantial methods of relief when appeals have been made in his city.
JOHAN HANSSON, D. V. S. The marvelous advance made in all branches of medical science in the period covered only by the life of those still in existence, has been particularly marked in what is known as the veterinary art. By no means is this a new science, veterinary skill having been exercised probably from earliest times, and even the great Hippocrates wrote a treatise on the curative treat- ment of horses. While this branch of practice concerns the treat- ment and cure of the disorders that particularly pertain to the animal world, its scope has grown so wide and its value has become so vitally appreciated, that governments call for aid through the science, skill and experience of its professors. At the present time they alone can achieve the great feat of completely stamping out maladies that, in afflicting the herds and stock that supply necessary food to a large proportion of the entire human race, jeopardize the well being and perhaps the existence of the race itself. The United States has not been as forward in the establish- ing of great schools for training in this essential profession as some other countries, nevertheless there are such schools that have become of national reputation and their graduates are qualified for scientific work either as government experts or as private practitioners. In this connection may be mentioned Dr. Johan Hansson, whose suc- cess in the field of veterinary medicine and surgery has made his
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name favorably known not only throughout Jasper County but in many other sections as well.
Johan Hansson, veterinary surgeon, Renssalaer, Indiana, has been a resident of the United States for twenty-six years and of Jasper County five years. He was born in Sweden, July 13, 1870. His father, Hans Martinson, spent his entire life in Sweden, dying there in 1879. His mother, Anna (Erlandson) Martinson, still sur- vives and lives in Sweden, being now aged eighty years. Her family was not large but all survive : Martin, the eldest, is a farmer in Sweden, unmarried; Arlland, who conducts the home farm at Cimbris, Sweden, is married but has no children; Johan was the third born ; and Annetta, the youngest, resides with the aged mother. The paternal grandfather, Martin Martinson, served as an officer in Sweden's army.
An intelligent youth as was Johan Hansson can not spend fifteen years of life on a farm without learning many things. One that early aroused his sympathetic interest was the prevalence of dis- orders among the stock and cattle and the consequent financial loss, and in his boyish desire to bring about better conditions arose the determination to study veterinary science. In his home neighbor- hood he had comparatively little opportunity for advancing in any direction, hence, believing the stories others told of great opportuni- ties for young men in America, he decided to emigrate and in 1889 came to the United States.
Although Mr. Hansson kept on cherishing his ambition to be- come a veterinary surgeon, he found it desirable to accumulate some capital whereby he could sufficiently finance himself while devoting his time to study. Therefore he worked for a time at first as a machinist at St. Paul, Minnesota, continuing in the same line at Pullman, Illinois, and still later at Big Stone Gap, Virginia. After another season of work at Chicago, and still another at Monon, Indiana, he returned to Sweden and in 1892 he was graduated from Alnarpes Veterinary Institute.
In the year of graduation, Doctor Hansson returned to the United States and in the same year became a naturalized citizen. He established himself at Monon, Indiana, where he had previously made many friends, for the practice of his profession and for doing scientific horseshoeing. He found many patrons and had all been as honest as himself, he would soon have secured substantial stand- ing, but, when he found that it would be to his advantage to take a post graduate course in the well known McKillip Veterinary College, Chicago, his capital then available would not cover the expense. Nevertheless he was enabled to take the course in that great institution and was most creditably graduated from the same in 1899.
In 1910 Doctor Hansson came to Rensselaer, Indiana, and has here built up a practice of large proportions, from which he has been able to afford himself and family all the comforts and many of the
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luxuries of life. Since coming here he has purchased a fine farm of 105 acres, situated in Newton township, and owns also a finely equipped establishment in the town for professional purposes. It was a source of expressed gratification to him when, recently, he had the coveted privilege of entertaining in his beautiful home, one whom he regards with feelings of deepest esteem, Dr. L. A. Merrilat, dean of McKillip Veterinary College. He was able to show Dr. Merrilat that his benefactions and extreme kindness in connection with the former's course in that college had not been unworthily bestowed and the visit was mutually agreeable.
In 1882 Doctor Hansson was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Reed, and they have two children: Greveleus and Annetta. Dr. Hansson is a member of the Lutheran Church, having been confirmed in the same when fifteen years old. In politics he is a republican and he is esteemed one of the substantial, pro- gressive men of his community.
HENRY FRANKLIN KING. Success in life is seldom or never the result of accident, but depends upon long and continuous effort, backed by natural or trained ability in one's chosen occupation. Among the successful men of Jasper County is Henry Franklin King, of Rensselaer, who has been a resident of this county since early boyhood. William H. King, the father of this sketch, was a native of Hancock County, Indiana, where he was reared. He there married Anna Hall, and in 1882 came to Jasper County, locat- ing on a farm one mile north of Rensselaer. For the greater part of his life he followed farming, his death occurring in 1909. His widow survives him. Their family numbered seven children, of whom six are yet living.
Henry Franklin King, who was the youngest son but one of William H. and Anna (Hall) King, was born in Hancock County, Indiana, May 17, 1874. He was eight years old when he accom- panied his parents to Jasper County where he has since made his home. Reared on the farm, he was educated in the public schools of Rensselaer and began industrial life as a laborer, at five dollars a week, when fifteen years old. Having an economical disposition, he saved his means and in 1900 at twenty-six years of age, was in a small way enabled to go into the hitch barn business, in which he continued for about two years. His success in this enterprise showed for the first time his remarkable aptitude for buying things that had become practical failures and building them up to profitable proper- ties. He then engaged in the livery business with Daniel Waymire and was identified with it for about eighteen months. During this time they bought the blacksmith and repair shop now owned by Mr. King, and eventually the combined business was divided, Mr. King securing for his equity the shop and other consideration. Although he knew practically nothing as a tradesman or mechanic, he realized that the shop was in a run-down condition. He at once Vol. I-27
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remedied this state of things, put in a proper equipment, engaged first class workmen, and soon had it on a profitable paying basis. This industry he has continued to operate ever since. During the time that he was engaged in these enterprises he became interested in Jasper County realty, and from time to time added to his original purchase until he now owns 140 acres of land, forty acres in Marion and 100 acres in Newton Township. A republican politically, he takes an active and beneficial interest in public affairs and is now serving as a member of the present city council. Fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Modern Woodmen. As a successful business man and public spirited citizen he is widely known all over the county.
Mr. King was married, November 20, 1898, to America M. Cripps, and they have four children : Walter C., Elizabeth, Kather- ine and Robert. Mrs. King is a member of the Christian Church.
RANDLE FAMILY. The history of the pioneers of Jasper County must take up the Randle family almost at the beginning. Whether considered from the standpoint of priority of residence or from their notable activities as home makers in the wilderness and in the community affairs of the early times, the Randles are among the most conspicuous names in Jasper County. From Barkley Town- ship, where they were the first settlers, their influence as land owners and citizens has been woven into the warp and woof of county history in many interesting ways.
This record must first concern Thomas Randle. Born in Hamp- shire County in what is now the State of West Virginia, but was then Virginia, January 9, 1798, a son of James and Mary (Shields) Randle, who came originally from New Jersey, he grew up on a farm in Western Virginia and among his early experiences learned to operate his father's flouring mill on Patterson's Creek. While living in Hampshire County he married Nancy Culp. Then in 1832 he and his brother-in-law, George Culp, with their families, came to Indiana. Their mode of conveyance was a four-horse wagon, which not only served to transport the women and children but also a supply of household goods, implements and other necessities for existence on the frontier to which they were bound. After twenty-seven days of travel over rough ways, through forests and swamps, much of the time over new made roads and blazed trails, the families located about four miles south of the present site of Delphi in the Wabash River Valley. The family lived there until about 1835, but in 1834 Mr. Randle and Mr. Culp came to what is now Jasper County and secured lands in sections 4 and 5 of what is now Barkley Township. Here they worked industriously for several days, erecting round log cabins, covered with clapboard roofs, puncheon floors and with stick and mud chimneys. They also harvested a crop of wild lay, which then grew plentifully on the prairies. In the spring of 1835 Mr. Randle and Mr. Culp moved their families to their newly
James & Ranelle
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chosen home, and that must be accepted as the record of the estab- lishment of the first two families in what is now Barkley Township.
Thomas Randle, though of but ordinary education, was a man of more than average intelligence. He stood long as a stalwart figure in the early community, served as one of the early commissioners of Jasper County and for years administered justice through the office of justice of the peace. He and his good wife became the parents of four sons and four daughters. Three of these sons are still living. Many of their descendants are still found in Jasper County, and this substantial family stock has also supplied citizens to other counties and states. Thomas Randle died in Jasper County December 1I, 1870, having survived his wife several years. Both were Methodists in religion and became identified with the first church organization in their township. Of their children James T. and Nelson are the sons still living, and all have their homes in Rensselaer. The other children were John, Mary, Isabel, Nancy Virginia and Savina.
The distinction of being the oldest living resident of Jasper County belongs to James T. Randle, a son of Thomas and now spending the evening of his lifetime at Rensselaer. He was born in Hampshire County, West Virginia, October 10, 1831, and was an infant when brought to Indiana in the old wagon conveyance above mentioned. His home has been within the limits of Jasper County for fully eighty years, and no other resident has a fund of recollections dating back to an earlier time than he. The years of his developing youth were spent in assisting with the planting and harvesting, and he has used every type of farm tool that has been in vogue during the changing epochs of farming industry. As a young man he swung the old fashioned cradle for reaping grain and also the flail for beating out the kernels from the straw and chaff, plowed with the old wooden moldboard, was fully grown when the first railroad came through Jasper County, and was past middle age when the wonderful inventions of electricity were introduced to civilization. Such education as he obtained was acquired in the Pleasant Grove school in a building built of logs, with slab seats and the window openings covered by greased paper. In that school the teaching was rigidly limited to the three R's.
On June 20, 1854, James T. Randle married Mary E. Overton, whose parents, James and Emeline (Parker) Overton, were among the early settlers of Hanging Grove Township. Shortly after his marriage James T. Randle settled on a place of his own adjoining the old homestead. He lived there and on the old home place, which he had acquired by purchase, until 1883, when he moved to Rensselaer, which has ever since been his home. Through his own exertions he became one of the most prosperous land holders of Jasper County, and at one time was the owner of 1,800 acres of land, most of which has subsequently been divided among his chil- dren. The stock interests of Jasper County have special reason to
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appreciate the work of James T. Randle, since he was one of the first men in the county to appreciate the value of blooded stock and acting on this belief introduced some of the first blooded animals onto the farms of Jasper County. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She died August 14, 1877, leaving five children as follows: Robert, Thomas, John A., Emeline, wife of D. S. Makeever, and Edward J. On November 24, 1878, Mr. Randle married Ruth A. Harris, daughter of Rial B. Benjamin and the widow of William Harris. The second Mrs. Randle died January 24, 1898. On May 25, 1899, he married for his third wife Mrs. Julia Enslen, who died May 14, 1910. Of Mr. Randle's chil- dren two sons live in Kansas and one in Oklahoma. The only two still living in Jasper County are Edward J. and Mrs. Makeever.
The responsibilities of the third generation of this family now rest upon the shoulders of Edward J. Randle, whose name is well known throughout Jasper County as a farmer and stock man. He was born here August 19, 1872, and has spent his life so far within the limits of his native county. He attended the common and high schools at Rensselaer, and has been identified with farming and stock raising for over twenty years.
Mr. Randle is a democrat in politics, and is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. On September 3, 1896, he married Lura Yeoman, a daughter of Andrew K. and Elizabeth (Bram) Yeoman. Mrs. Randle died August 29, 1910, leaving one son, Walter. On December 30, 1913, he married Alice E. Shedd, daughter of S. S. and Emma (Porter) Shedd.
EDWARD D. RHOADES. Fifty-eight years a resident of Jasper County, the name of Edward D. Rhoades has been associated with mercantile life at Rensselaer for more than a generation. He is of that solid and substantial type of citizen whose work and career are prosecuted along practically one line of endeavor and the success and influence that have rewarded him have been largely due to these stable and persistent qualities. When he was hardly more than twelve years of age he had his first experience in serving the public as a store clerk and his position in the community, while easily. defined, has long been one of the most substantial integrity.
Born April II, 1854, at Winslow, Maine, Edward D. Rhoades was brought to Jasper County when three years of age. He is one of four living children in a family of seven whose parents were Charles and Mary (Duran) Rhoades. They were likewise natives of Maine, were reared and married in the old Pine Tree State, and during his youth Charles Rhoades had learned the harness maker's trade. When he came West to Jasper County in 1857 and located in Rensselaer he made himself known to the community through his trade, was known as a hard working and intelligent citizen, and he and his wife lived at Rensselaer until taken away by death several years ago. Their family made a conspicuous record during the
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Civil war, in which three of their sons saw active service. William H. was a member of the old Ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry in Company G under General Milroy and rose to the rank of first lieutenant in his company. The son Charles G. of the same com- pany and regiment, was killed while on scout duty. The other son, Marshall D., served in the 48th Indiana Volunteer Infantry.
Edward D. Rhoades grew to manhood in Rensselaer, and secured his education in the local public schools. When twelve years of age he began clerking in a local store, and after a number of years of employment with others embarked on his own account as a mer- chant and for the past sixteen years has had one of the leading retail hardware stores of Jasper County.
His work has also been important from a civic point of view. He assisted in organizing the first volunteer fire department of Rensselaer. President Benjamin Harrison appointed him post- master of the town, and for four years that office was under his capable administration. He has also served as city treasurer and city councilman, and has long been one of the local leaders in the republican party. He is a charter member of Rensselaer Lodge No. 82, of the Knights of Pythias and also is affiliated with the Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows No. 143. He and his wife are active members of the Presbyterian Church.
On September 6, 1879, Mr. Rhoades married Miss Lora H. Hop- kins, a daughter of Raphael J. Hopkins of Rensselaer. To their marriage have been born two children : Leonard C. is now associated with his father in the hardware business at Rensselaer, while Lil- lian is the wife of Charles Radcliff of Louisville, Kentucky. This is one of the most highly esteemed families of Jasper County. When it first located at Rensselaer there was hardly any town to speak of and for more than half a century members of the family have sup- plied some of those important services which go to give a town distinction as a trading point and center of population.
C. E. TRIPPLET, M. D. There are two men still living in Newton County who have the name of C. E. Tripplet. Both are physicians, though the older is now retitred from active practice, and the burdens of the profession are carried on by his son. For fully sixty years Doctor Tripplet, father and son, have carried their professional services into the homes of Newton County people. The older doctor was one of the pioneers of the profes- sion in this section of Northwestern Indiana. He practiced at a time when there were practically no roads, when in the absence of drug stores the physician carried most of his medicines in his saddle bags, and when attendance upon patients involved long and trying journeys and the exercise of tremendous physical fortitude and endurance as well as professional skill.
Doctor Tripplet, Sr., was a native of Kentucky and is of English ancestry. He was left an orphan and grew up with his grand-
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father until he was thirteen years of age. This grandfather was also a prominent physician and surgeon, was at one time connected with the Louisville Medical College, and it was from him that Doctor Tripplet, Sr., received his thorough training for the prac- tice of medicine.
In 1856 Doctor Tripplet, Sr., came to Newton County. That was then an almost unbroken wilderness, and his advent proved a great boon to the pioneers. He located in Morocco and from that point for many years carried on the work of his profession over a wide territory. He continued in active practice until 1900.
He has been not only a successful physician, but equally suc- cessful in the management of his business affairs. He became largely identified with farming and stock raising in Newton County, and still owns 800 acres of land. At one time he owned 6,000 acres in Newton County. He has never neglected the public wel- fare, and has been a liberal contributor to every enterprise in his community. He is a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is now eighty-three years of age and is enjoying the comforts of retirement at Morocco, and an object of special esteem because the oldest living representative of the medical profession in the county. He has two children, Doctor Tripplet, Jr., and a daughter.
Dr. C. E. Tripplet, Jr., was born at Morocco, July 5, 1863, and acquired a liberal education. He had some experience at farming, and his early tutor in medicine was his father. In 1895 he gradu- ated M. D. from Rush Medical College of Chicago, and since September, 1897, has been one of the hard working and skillful doctors of Morocco. He ranks as one of the able physicians not only of Newton County but of Northern Indiana. He is con- nected with the various medical societies and also with the Masonic Lodge and Morocco Lodge No. 273, Knights of Pythias. Politi- cally he is a democrat.
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