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 II > Part 15
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 II > Part 15
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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 | Part 41 | Part 42
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Frank C. Rich was born in Clinton County, Indiana, January 20, 1864, and is a son of William L. and Sarah J. (Catterlin) Rich, natives of Indiana. The father followed farming until he retired, in 1870, removing with his family, to Jasper County, where, with the exception of four years, he has lived ever since, the present home being at Remington. There were eight children in the family and four survive.
Reared and educated in Jasper County, Frank C. Rich remained with his father until 1887. In 1897 he went to Brook, Indiana, where he embarked in a hardware business and remained for seven ycars and then moved to Goodland and entered into the grain busi- ness, which he profitably conducted until he assumed the duties pertaining to the position of treasurer of Newton County, to which he had been elected in 1912, and, as mentioned above, subsequently re-elected. During his residence at Brook and later at Goodland, he proved enterprising and public spirited and at both places served on the school board. He has long been an important factor in demo- cratic circles but has seldom sought political promotion.
On October 19, 1887, Mr. Rich 'was united in marriage with Miss Eva L. Brown, who was a daughter of one of the old families of the county, and they had four sons : Lowell G., Roy F., William W. and one who died at the age of six months. Mrs. Rich passed away January 23, 1912. She was a devout member of the Christian Church, to which Mr. Rich also belongs. In fraternal life he is a Royal Arch Mason at Goodland, Indiana.
. ALBERT FREDERICK STEMBEL. This is the name of one of the young and progressive merchants and business men at Wheatfield, and while he is now at the outset of a career of great promise, judged by his previous performance, he comes of one of the most substantial families long identified with the states of Ohio and Indiana.
Born August 25, 1889, Albert Frederick Stembel is a native of Jasper County, grew up here, and had the example of a successful father to stimulate him to a business career. He is a son of George Orren and Sarah T. (Tilton) Stembel. His father was a son of Joseph and Mary (Zigler) Stembel, both of whom were of Ger- man stock, and among the carly settlers of Ohio. Joseph Stembel followed farming all his life in Champaign County, Ohio, was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and quite an active democrat. The eight children of Joseph and Mary Stembel were: Melissa and George O., both deceased; John V .; Mary ; Ella ; Albert F .; William H. and Addie E., all of whom are still living and married.
George Orren Stembel when twenty-four years of age started out in life- for himself and gained a substantial success from his own resources. He was born in Champaign County, Ohio, October 20, 1854, and died in Jasper County, August 7, 1914. His death
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marked the passing of one of the foremost business men of this county, and he was widely esteemed wherever known. Ilis wife, Sarah E. Tilton, was one of the eight children of John II. and Samantha (Swisher) Tilton. The eight Tilton children, all of whom are living and married, are Alfred J., George W., Sarah E., John W., Julia Etta, Corenna F., Bert W. and Bessie T. Their father, John H. Tilton, enlisted in the Forty-sixth Indiana Volun- teer Infantry during the Civil war, subsequently was in the Twenty- ninth Indiana Infantry, and made a gallant record as a soldier, a record which will always be cherished by his descendants. To the marriage of George O. and Saralı E. Stembel were born seven children: Albert F., Oscar J., Grover C., Mary S., Harry I., Gil- bert H. and Clarence O. Their father, George O. Stembel had many marked characteristics outside of business ability. He had a fine mind, could think as well as act, and his actions were also guided by the strictest of integrity. He was affiliated with the Masonic Order, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America, and kept a high place in the democratic party. For eighteen years he served as a member of the school board in Jasper County.
In the fall of 1884 George A. Stembel came to Wheatfield, Jas- per County. He was first manager of the W. E. Sweeney lumber and hay business. In 1903 he formed a partnership with E. T. Biggs in the lumber, grain, hay and farm implement business, and in August, 1904, became sole proprietor. He conducted one of the largest establishments of its kind in Jasper County and made a great success of it. That was his work until his death about ten years later. He was always a supporter of public enterprises, and in his time did as much as any individual to promote progress in Jasper County.
Albert F. Stembel, after practically exhausting the resources of the local high school, started in to learn business under the direction of his father. He was at that time eighteen years of age, so that his business carcer covers a period of eight years. On his father's death he succeeded him as active manager of the implement and grain busi- ness and has continued it at the same high standard maintained by his honored father. Mr. Stembel married Miss Luella McCay on December 30, 1914. He is an active democrat and is now a member of the Wheatfield Town Board and holds the office of city treasurer.
SAMUEL R. SIZELOVE. Concise, clear and accurate must be the work of an auditor and in every case where his professional services are required, exists large responsibility. Undoubtedly accounting experience is helpful, if not essential, and bookkeeping is the first step in this direction. Hence, as an experienced bookkeeper, Samuel R. Sizelove was a man well qualified for the position of auditor of Newton County as a majority of his fellow citizens de- clared, electing him to this office in the fall of 1912. Mr. Sizelove
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is widely known through his various activities, is a good judge of men, is liberally educated and has had his mind broadened by travel.
Samuel R. Sizelove was born in Butler County, Ohio, September 28, 1872, and is a son of George W. and Margaret (De Armond) Sizelove, both of whom were born in Butler County. The father was a carpenter by trade. Ile died in Ohio in 1909, but the mother survives. There were seven children in the family.
Samuel R. Sizelove was reared in his native county and attended the public schools. As he advanced to manhood he determined to prepare himself for the profession of teaching and therefore took a teacher's course in the state normal school at Terre Haute, Indiana, following which he taught school in Newton County for nine years, during a part of this time being a teacher in the graded schools at Morocco. Mr. Sizelove then turned his attention to farm- ing and for a number of years operated a farm near Morocco, in Newton County, in Washington township. In the spring of 1904 he decided upon a trip to the far west, locating in the City of Port- land, Oregon, and there, for two years he engaged in the selling of real estate and in bookkeeping for a western firm.
In 1906 Mr. Sizelove returned to Newton County and resumed farming, continuing his agricultural operations until 1911, when he moved to Morocco and there operated a garage until he came to Kentland to assume the duties of county auditor, to which office he had been elected on the democratic ticket, in the fall of 1912. He has proved thorough-going in whatever he has undertaken, and his complete efficiency in his present office is universally conceded.
On September 27, 1897, Mr. Sizelove was united in marriage with Miss Blanche A. Law, who was a daughter of Joseph Law, of Washington Township, and they had three children: Ansel Law, who died when twelve years old; and Lucile and Blanche E. The mother of these children died July 19, 1911. Mr. Sizelove's second marriage took place on June 17, 1914, to Miss Roxie F. Kennedy, who is a daughter of Joseph and Martha J. (Ham) Kennedy, re- spected old residents of this county.
Mr. Sizelove has always given his political support to the demo- cratic party. He is a man of social nature and highly values his membership with the Knights of Pythias, Castle Hall No. 492, and the Modern Woodmen, both at Morocco. He is a member of the Baptist Church.
CHARLES M. DANIEL. The manifold duties pertaining to the office of county clerk, make this office one of major importance in the management of county affairs, hence, the selection of a capable official at all times is a matter of public concern. In Charles M. Daniel, Newton County, Indiana, has a man of strong, normal, bal- anced character, who has proved thoroughly efficient in the office of county clerk.
Charles M. Daniel was born in Pulaski County, Indiana, April
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2, 1871, and is a son of Jacob E. and Elizabeth (Cooperrider) Daniel. They were natives of Ohio and came from there to Huntington County, Indiana, and shortly after the Civil war moved from there to Pulaski County. About 1880 they removed to Carroll County and there both died. The father was a farmer and the family became well and favorably known in different sections of the state.
In assisting his father on the home farm in Carroll County, and attending the district schools, Charles M. Daniel spent a happy, wholesome boyhood. Later he took a business course at the North- ern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso, but did not immediately put his commercial knowledge to use, having decided to continue his studies and fit himself for the teacher's profession. With this end in view he took a course in the Tri-State Normal School at Angola.
For seventeen years Mr. Daniel remained in the educational field, teaching thirteen years in Carroll County, two years in White County and two years in Newton County, during a part of this time teaching in the graded schools of Yeoman, Monon and Goodland. In 1907 he located permanently in Newton County and after teaching at Goodland for two years, became bookkeeper for the firm of Col- burn-Bales Lumber Company, of that place, and continued so en- gaged until July, 1915, when he removed to Kentland in order to assume the duties of county clerk, to which position he had been appointed to succeed Clerk Howard McCurry, whose death had left a vacancy. Mr. Daniel's qualifications for this office are exceptional, not the least of his advantages being his wide acquaintance with his fellow citizens and the confidence that his past career, both as edu- cator and business man, has instilled. So much of the business pass- ing through the county clerk's office is personal in nature, therefore an official of courteous manner and obliging habit, is very generally appreciated.
On December 29, 1908, Mr. Daniel was united in marriage with Miss Grace Watts, who is a daughter of John Watts, a well known resident of Monticello, Indiana. Mrs. Daniel was reared in the Christian Church and she is connected with many of its benevolent enterprises.
In politics Mr. Daniel has always been identified with the demo- cratic party. He has long been identified, fraternally, with the Masons and the Odd Fellows, and frequently serves on civic bodies in relation to public-spirited measures. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
EGBERT S. HESS, M. D. V. More and more as time goes on do progressive communities prove, by their action in electing educated men to positions of public responsibility, that trained service is most efficient. As conservator of the peace in his county, the sheriff has the heaviest of responsibilities and his equipment for the office, while including physical courage and manly strength, demands today, perhaps much more than it ever did before. With changing times,
adda Bridgeman
J. M. Bridgeman,
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with industrial restlessness, with war influences which have their effect, more or less, on peaceful people, and with many other causes that arouse and irritate, the office of sheriff, even in peaceful Newton County, brings many perplexing problems. Many of these are being solved through the competency of the present sheriff, Dr. Egbert S. Hess, who is well known professionally all over the county.
Egbert S. Hess was born on his father's farm near Momence, Illinois, September 5, 1878, and is a son of Mahlon and Sarah E. (Lowe) Hess. He grew up on the home farm and attended the country schools and later the Momence High School and subse- quently the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso. He then turned his attention to the educational field and taught school for two terms in Illinois, following which he spent a year as a farmer. In the meanwhile, on the farm while handling his own stock he became so interested in the veterinary art that he decided to perfect his knowledge along this line and entered the McKillip Veterinary College, Chicago, where he remained a student for three years and was graduated in 1906. He entered into the prac- tice of his profession at Kentland and this city has remained his home.
On June 21, 1905, Doctor Hess was united in marriage with Miss Audrey L. Cool. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Sheriff Hess belongs also to the Methodist Brotherhood. In politics he has always been a republican but accepted his first office when he was elected sheriff in the fall of 1914. Firmness and decision have marked his administration no less than justice and humanity. Sheriff Hess belongs to the Masonic fraternity at Kent- land, and has taken the Council degrees at Monticello, Indiana.
GEORGE M. BRIDGEMAN. In the passing of the late George M. Bridgeman in 1914, Newton County lost one of her native sons, and a citizen of inestimable value. Mr. Bridgeman had for sixty-seven years, as man and boy, been identified with the development of the county, and the worthy influence that emanated from his life and works will long be felt in Kentland, and in Newton County.
Mr. Bridgeman was born here on March 18, 1847, and was the son of Levi and Mary (Brown) Bridgeman, old settlers in the county, and both of them of German descent. They were the parents of seven children, three girls and four boys. Three of the seven are living at this writing.
George M. Bridgeman was very young at the time of the break- ing out of the Civil war, but he was not to be deterred from enlist- ing in the cause of the North. To give some idea of the suffering he endured as a soldier we quote from a former history of Newton County, that of 1883. "Eight days before he was seventeen years of age, in March, 1864, he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Twenty-eight Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under
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Colonel DeHart. He was in the battles of Chickamauga, Franklin, Nashville, Columbus and the Atlanta Campaign. On March 9, 1865, at the battle of Kingston, North Carolina, he received a gun-shot wound in the right elbow joint, and also one less severe in the left elbow: He then walked back a mile to the field hospital for treat- ment, carrying his right arm, which was still attached, with his left hand. He arrived there one hour after he had received the shots. Ile found the surgeons at work in their quarters, and a wagon-load of arms and legs that had been amputated were on the outside. As there were poor accommodations, Mr. Bridgeman sat down by an oak tree, and there awaited his time until eleven o'clock that night, when his arm was amputated. From loss of blood, exhaustion and the effects of the anaesthetics, he did not return to consciousness for twelve hours. After remaining there five days he was hauled by ambulance five miles over corduroy roads to the railroad. On this trip he was compelled to rest his body on his left elbow to prevent jarring the stump of the right arm. The rough roads and the posi- tion caused him to be in a perspiration on his arrival. He then took passage in a box car thirty-five miles over a terribly rough road to New Berne, North Carolina, where he was well cared for. 'That hospital to me,' said Mr. Bridgeman 'seemed as much like home as anything I can ever expect. It was lighted at night, and everybody seemed anxious and willing to do for my comfort, in favorable con- trast to what I had experienced.' After six weeks he was taken to MeDougal Hospital, New York, where he remained until dis- charged. He arrived home in time to celebrate 'The Glorious Fourth.' On the 9th of March following it became necessary to reamputate the stump. This wound gives Mr. Bridgeman much trouble and discomfort. Some night the pain compels him to con- stantly shift positions. Before losing his arm he weighed 167 pounds, and he now weighs 135 pounds." The article further states that "Mr. Bridgeman attended college at Westfield, Illinois, one year, taught school one term, farmed, carried the mail, herded cat- tle, etc., until 1878, when he was elected recorder of Newton County, which office expired in April, 1884."
Mr. Bridgeman was a republican, and was elected to various public offices in the county in the ensuing years.
On March 9, 1873, Mr. Bridgeman was married to Miss Adda Bennett, the daughter of Harden and Debyan (Houghton) Ben- nett. They were southern people, the father of Kentucky ancestry and the mother a member of a well known family of Virginians. They were married in Clark County, Illinois, and there lived the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of a large family of twelve children, all of them reaching years of maturity.
To Mr. and Mrs. Bridgeman one son was born,-Clarence O., born November 10, 1873. Ile married Margaret Smith, and they are living on a Jefferson Township farm. They have no children.
Mr. Bridgeman acquired a farming property of 160 acres in Jef-
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ferson Township, and as a farmer and stock breeder he was very successful. He died on January 29, 1914, and is buried in a local cemetery. He was a member of the Woodmen of the World and of the Grand Army of the Republic, while his church membership was with the Methodist Episcopal denomination. The church and all worthy enterprises, either within or without the jurisdiction of the church, received his hearty support, and he was a potent influ- ence for good in his town to the end of his days.
WILLIAM CUMMINGS. Among the prominent men of Newton County, now deceased, whose memory is preserved by his fellow citizens in life, with great esteem, was William Cummings, at the time of death being the dean of the Newton County bar.
William Cummings was born in Pennsylvania, May 16, 1844, and was a son of William and Jane Cummings, who, in his child- hood moved to Illinois and settled at Ottawa. There William Cum- mings attended the public schools and grew into educated young manhood. When the Civil war came on he became enthused with the war spirit and subsequently enlisted in Company F, Eighty- eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in which he faithfully served until overtaken by illness. This developed a serious aspect and he was obliged to return home but later was honorably discharged as the records prove.
In 1874 Mr. Cummings came to Newton County and located on a farm northeast of Kentland, in 1876 removing into Kentland in order to better facilitate his study of the law, although not giving up the operating of his farm. Ile continued his studies at Kent- land and also attended the Bryant Law School, Chicago, and in 1877 was admitted to the bar. He did not immediately, however, enter into practice, being appointed at that time deputy county recorder, and he served in that office for four years. Following his return from the army he had previously served one term as clerk of the courts of Grundy County.
On September 6, 1871, William Cummings was married to Miss Emeline Thompson, and they had two children : Roland Ray and Stella, now Mrs. Inman. Mr. Cummings was an able lawyer and an honorable one and during his long period of practice was profes- sionally identified with much important litigation in Newton County. His opinion was sought and his advice taken about many of the reforms and improvements that add to the peace, plenty and legal rights of those now living in this favored section of Indiana. He passed out of life honored and respected, on November 23, 1907, his family surviving him.
1
ROLAND RAY CUMMINGS. Among the younger members of the Newton County bar, no one is better or more favorably known, both personally and professionally, than Roland Ray Cummings, a native of Newton County and a lifelong resident. He was born Vol. 11-9
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July 21, 1880, at Kentland, the only son of William and Emeline (Thompson) Cummings. Ile was educated in the Kentland schools and when ready to begin the study of law, chose his father as his preceptor, with whom he continued and was admitted to the bar in 1902. During the few remaining years of his father's life he was associated with him but in 1907 began practice for himself.
On September 8, 1898, Roland R. Cummings was united in mar- riage with Miss Bertha Jones, who died December 6, 1901, a daugh- ter of Schuyler C. and Nancy Jones. Mrs. Cummings was survived by two children : Wilfred S. and Stella, both now attending school. On July 11, 1911, Mr. Cummings was married to Miss Nina Hoover, who is a daughter of George Hoover, of St. Joseph, Missouri.
In politics Mr. Cummings is a sound republican and at present is chairman of the republican county committee of Newton County. His fraternal connections are with the Masonic Blue Lodge and chapter at Kentland, and with the Knights of Pythias. Mrs. Cum- mings is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is greatly interested in church work and in its affiliated benevolent enter- prises.
TERRENCE B. CUNNINGHAM. A prominent member of the bar at Kentland, who has built up a practice from a foundation laid in sound professional knowledge, and whose clients are people who are seeking honorable advisors and reputable lawyers, is Ter- rence B. Cunningham, who was born in Indiana, in his father's home at Kentland, February 13, 1871, a son of Terrence and Oregon (Bramble) Cunningham.
The father of Mr. Cunningham, whose honored name the son bears, was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, and was about twelve years old when he was brought to America by his parents. Shortly after reaching the United States, the family located at Lafayette, Indiana, and there Terrence Cunningham grew to manhood. Shortly after the railroad had been built to Kentland, he came to the place, which then was but a hamlet, and embarked in the grocery business, rightly predicting that the time would come when Kentland would be a place of importance. His first business house was a little frame "shack" standing on what is now the thoroughfare called Railroad Street. Later, in partnership with Patrick Keefe, he continued merchandising, and still later went into the grain and ele- vator business and in this connection became widely known and acquired an ample fortune, passing the closing days of his life in comfortable retirement. After coming to Kentland he was married to Miss Oregon Bramble and a family of eight children was born to them, all but one of them surviving. In politics he was a demo- crat and in religion a Roman Catholic. He died December 21, 1902.
Terrence B. Cunningham completed his public school education when he was graduated from the Kentland High School in 1891. IJaving decided upon the law as a career, he matriculated at the
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Edna J. Mc Millen
3
William S. Mc Millen
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law department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and from that noted institution was most creditably graduated in 1893. In December of the same year he went to Oklahoma, and for five months resided at Guthrie and later, for 21/2 years practiced law at Oklahoma City. IJome ties are not casily broken and the time came when the young lawyer, although doing well in the West, felt the call of his native place and returned to Newton County and has been . a resident of Kentland ever since. In spite of the many difficulties that every sincere practitioner of the law has to contend with, Mr. Cunningham has rapidly advanced in his profession and finds him- self very often chosen as the counsellor of men and firms of great importance, his professional insight, enabling him, on many occasions to solve cases of perplexing character where large interests are in- volved.
On November 8, 1902, Mr. Cunningham was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth A. Boyle, who is a daughter of the late Albert M. Boyle, formerly a resident of Kentland and at one time county recorder of Newton County. Mrs. Cunningham, as well as her hus- band, is a practicing lawyer, and is a lady of unusual talent. For a number of years prior to her marriage, she was employed in con- fidential positions in the courthouse. Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham have an adopted daughter, Helen M. Boyle, who is a niece of Mrs. Cunningham and a beautiful and attractive child.
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