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 22
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 22
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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
JOHN L. COOKE. The pharmacist conducting a modern drug store, occupies a very prominent place in the business life of a community. His profession ranks with those of physician and dentist for his professional knowledge must be so complete that it will enable him, in filling their prescriptions, to detect any failure or fault that would render them fatal, under any conditions. Hence, a qualified druggist in the twentieth century is very likely to be a man of scientific attainments, and, on account of the responsibility resting upon him in the required handling of pure drugs only, he develops a keen business sense in order to protect himself and his customers. The handling of drugs and medicinal preparations is an old occupation and there are druggists yet living who can recall
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when some remedies were put on the market, the componding of which was a mystery and the component parts valueless as curative agents. Perhaps all these preparations have not yet been eliminated by the present protective laws, but, in the majority of cases a patron of a drug store may feel safe in purchasing when the druggist assumes responsibility for the purity and efficacy of the drugs he sells. Goodland, Indiana, has a drug store in which it has full confidence. Its proprietor, known to almost every resident, is John L. Cooke, who has been in this professional line all his business life, the greater part of which has been passed in this city.
John L. Cooke was born in Lawrence County, Indiana, October 14, 1857, and is a son of Jacob L. and Martha H. (Potter) Cooke. The Cooke family came to America from England and settled early in Virginia, where the grandfather of John L. Cooke, Lawson Cooke, was born and rcared. Subsequently he came to Indiana and settled in Orange County and there his son, Jacob L. Cooke, was born.
In early manhood, Jacob L. Cooke moved from Orange to Lawrence County, Indiana, in which county he was married to Martha A. Potter, who was of German and Irish ancestry. Four children were born to this marriage: Mary Ruth, dying an infant; Nancy .1., who married James D. Woodburn, and they live near Fowler, in Benton County, Indiana ; John L .; and Della M., who is the wife of I. H. Jordan and they reside at Indianapolis.
In 1868 Jacob L. Cooke removed his family to Newton County, Indiana, but three months later decided to locate on a farm in Union Township, Benton County, situated five miles southeast of Goodland, which land he cultivated for seven years. He moved then to Fowler and in 1875 engaged in farming at Lafayette, two years later removing to Talbot. Mr. Cooke continued in business there for three years when he moved to Missouri, where he engaged in farm- ing for two years and then returned to Indiana, in 1883 taking up his residence at Goodland. From 1885 to 1888 he resided in Western Kansas, returning then to Goodland, where he lived retired until his death, April 20, 1895. He was one of the early members of the Methodist Church at Goodland and throughout life a consistent . professor of that faith. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in this city.
John L. Cooke remained with his parents until he was seventeen years of age. He then became a clerk and student in the drug store of Dr. J. A. Lovett, at Fowler, Indiana, coming to Goodland after two years, and continued in the same line, with others in the business . until 1907, when he established his present Rexall Drug Store, which he yet conducts. In addition to the full line of drugs and drug sundries carried by every modern establishment, Mr. Cooke has a large and well selected stock of specialties, and his honorable business methods, covering so many years, have contributed to his present prosperity.
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Mr. Cooke was married on April 20, 1879, to Miss Flora L. Hopkins, who died September 14, 1885, without issue. On January 11, 1888, he was united in marriage with Miss Lydia A. Allen, who is a daughter of John and Nancy Allen, of Brookston. Mr. and Mrs. Cooke have four children: Raymond A., who is a resident of Indianapolis ; and Pauline. Lawson J., and John B., all of whom reside at home. The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
In politics Mr. Cooke is a republican. He has been a useful, steady citizen without ever being willing to accept political prefer- ment or any civic office. He is financially independent, owning valuable city realty, and is treasurer and a member of the board of directors of the Newton County Loan and Savings Association. He is identified with no fraternal organization except the Masons and has been a member of Goodland Lodge No. 445 since 1882.
STATE TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK. In the days when the finan- ciers of great nations at war, find it necessary to appcal for help to other than their own money institutions and turn to America, an opportunity arises for people of the United States to stand back and, with new appreciation, view their banks and bankers. Taking in the significance of this movement, the real, substantial strength of the country is eloquently shown and its proudly claimed sound foundation proved. The industry and thrift that enables the people to accumulate fortunes, has been ably supplemented by the business acumen of bankers, nien trained in the financial field, who safely handle and invest these fortunes, thereby creating the solid basis upon which rests the great financial structure of banking.
The banking laws of Indiana, as in other states, have been con- sidered in many a legislative session in order to assure to depositors in every department, the safety of their funds. But, while every state institution of this kind may be fully trusted under the law, nevertheless there must be preferences with the cautious investor. A bank that has wide financial connections providing for every amount of liability, and with officials whose proved integrity and high per- sonal standing may justly be reckoned as assets, appeals to the majority of those having capital either to invest or to deposit and thereby prospers. In this class stands the State Trust and Savings Bank of Goodland, Indiana.
This institution was organized at Goodland, December 19, 1912, the officers and board of directors under the temporary organiza- tion being : John T. Hameton, president ; Thomas Snell, vice presi- dent ; C. O. Holmes, secretary and treasurer ; and John T. Hameton, . Henry T. Griggs, A. G. Jakway, W. W. Washburn, T. T. Snell and C. O. Holmes, as directors and organizers.
The first permanent officers were: A. J. Jakway, president ; T. T. Snel!, vice president; C. O. Holmes, secretary and treasurer; and J. F. Weil, teller, the board of directors remaining the same.
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In March, 1913, R. M. Shepard was elected cashier and teller and continned in this office until March, 1915, when H. J. Brook became cashier, being the present incumbent. In November, 1914, James Bell succeeded A. J. Jakway as president. The present officers are : James Bell. president ; John T. Ilameton, vice president ; and II. J. Brook, cashier. The following capitalists make up the board of directors : Heury T. Griggs, C. L. Constable, M. S. Foley, James Bell, George Hoover, J. G. Kinneman, and John T. Hlameton.
The following is a condensed statement of the condition of the State Trust and Savings Bank at Goodland, in the State of Indiana, at the close of its business on May 1, 1916:
RESOURCES
Loans and Discounts $ 84.265.74
'Overdrafts 1,692.38
Bonds and Stocks
6,384.00
Company's Building 4,000.00
Furniture and Fixtures
1,000.00
Dues from Banks and Trust Companies. 18,755.41
Cash on Hand
5,647.87
Cash Items
311.36
Interest Paid
367.47
Expenses
1,273.70
Total Resources $123,697.93
LIABILITIES
Capital Stock-paid in $ 25,000.00
Surplus
1,000.00
Undivided Profits-Net 8.58
Interest, Discount and Other Earnings 2,765.26
Demand Deposits, Except Banks 76,620.31
Savings Deposits
1,405.46
Certificates of Deposit
16,898.32
Total Liabilities
$123,697.93
The bank is operated with a paid up capital of $25,000. It has proved a successful enterprise ever since its organization and enjoys the confidence and support of a wide territory. Particularly has the savings department of this institution proved popular, and the list is long and rapidly growing of those who prove by their deposits that they recognize that saving is the instrument of real independence.
CLARENCE C. BASSETT, M. D. The seeker for restoration to health, be his malady serious or of only temporary inconvenience, very naturally calls to his aid a physician, and usually, on accepting
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his dictum and following his advice, is benefited thereby. Com- paratively few, perhaps, ever consider the vast amount and pro- fundity of knowledge necessary to successfully diagnose, treat and cure these various ailmeuts under their evolving conditions, or the skill in surgery that restores injured bodily members to their normal function. This knowledge is essential but regarded from any stand- point is marvelous enough to command respectful consideration.
A prominent member of the medieal profession at Goodland, Indiana, Dr. Clarence C. Bassett, came to this city in 1906. He was . born June 4. 1879, at Greencastle, Indiana, and is a son of Rev. T. J. and Anna ( Ridpath) Bassett. The ancestors of Doctor Bassett on the paternal side came from England and established themselves in what is now the State of Delaware, and Richard "Bassett, the great-great-grandfather, was a signer of the document that made Delaware the first state to ratify the Federal Constitution, December 7, 1787. On the maternal side, the Ridpaths were of Irish extrae- tion. The mother of Doctor Bassett was a sister of the author, educator and historian, John Clark Ridpath, and like him was born in Putnam County, Indiana. Through his writings his name is a household word in every intelligent community. Rev. T. J. Bassett, a well known minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, is now pastor of the First Methodist Church at Valparaiso, Indiana, and during 1905 and 1906 was pastor of the church at Goodland, and is very kindly remembered by his old congregation liere.
Clarence C. Bassett grew to manhood in his native state and had excellent educational advantages at Greencastle, graduating from De Pauw University there in the class of 1898. For two years afterward he was instructor in chemistry and zoology in the West Aurora High School, at Aurora, Illinois, and later, for three years was teacher of zoology and physiology in the South Division High School. When the summer vacation of 1905 came on, he spent the vacation months in study at the Iowa University and won his A. M. degree, his A. B. degree at De Pauw University and his M. D. degree at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Doctor Bassett, after being graduated from medical college, served for three months as an interne at St. Joseph's Hospital. Milwaukee, coming directly from that field of training to Goodland, in 1906, where he purchased the practice of Dr. B. W. Pratt, the oldest located physician of Goodland, and has built up a fine prac- tice of his own and has become a citizen valued personally as well as professionally.
On June 6, 1900, Doctor Bassett was united in marriage with Miss Pauline Woodward, who is a daughter of William and Mar- garet (Wright) Woodward, natives of Madison County, Indiana, but of ancestry that came originally from England. Doctor and Mrs. Bassett have two children, a daughter and son : Kathryn E. and Eugene W. Doctor Bassett and wife are members of the
.
Joseph Kennedy
.
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Methodist Episcopal Church and he is serving on its board of trustees.
In political preference, Doctor Bassett is a democrat but he has had neither time nor inclination to serve in political office and is by no means arbitrary in his views, frequently, in local matters giving his support to the candidate his own judgment most approves. For two years he had been secretary of the Newton County Medical Society before the medical bodies of Jasper and Newton counties consolidated in 1914. He is president of the joint society-1916. He belongs also to the Indiana State Medical Association, and is examining physician for the United States Pension Bureau, at Fowler. In addition to still maintaining his pleasant old college memberships in the D. K. E., at De Pauw, and the Phi Rho Sigma, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Milwaukee, Doctor Bassett has other fraternal connections in which he is highly valued and which he cherishes. He is a member of Goodland Lodge No. 445, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he was master in 1910-1911 ; Royal Arch Masons No. 142, Goodland, of which he has been high priest ever since its organization, and Council No. 70 at Monticello. He belongs additionally to Goodland Lodge No. 141, Knights of Pythias, and is one of the board of trustees, and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, at Goodland. For several years Doctor Bassett served as president of the Memorial Association, a local organization at Goodland, designed to see that Memorial Day be properly observed. He is a member of the board of directors of the Commercial Associa- tion. In the life of a busy physician there is not found a great deal of time to devote to recreation, but Doctor Bassett has the wholesome American's love of out-door sport and belongs to the Hazelden Golf Club.
JOSEPHI KENNEDY is one of the oldest residents of Newton County. He went from this section of Indiana when he volunteered to fight the battles of the Union during the Civil war. Returning, he became a farmer. Long afterward he entered mercantile busi- ness at Morocco, and merchandising, banking and varied affairs in that locality have kept his attention down to the present time.
The Kennedy family became identified with Newton County in 1851. Nine years before on December 31, 1842, Joseph Kennedy was born in Montgomery County, Indiana, a son of David and Susan (Goodman) Kennedy. His father, a native of Virginia, moved west and settled in Montgomery County, Indiana, on a farm two miles east of Crawfordsville. That was the family home until they came to Newton County, where David Kennedy bought a place of forty acres four miles cast of Morocco. Ile afterwards bought another tract of the same size, and was still owner of his eighty-acre farm with all its substantial improvements when he died. He was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church,
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a faithful Christian, and a public spirited citizen. A democrat he filled the office of trustee of Jackson Township one term.
The youngest in his father's family, Joseph Kennedy lived in Newton County until he was twenty years of age. In the meantime hie acquired his education and some experience in practical affairs. In 1862 he enlisted in Company E of the Twenty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, to serve three years or until the close of the war. This regiment was recruited at South Bend, and when fully equipped was sent South to Louisville, Kentucky, and thence to Memphis. It served under the command of Grant, was sent to the rear of Vicksburg. but was afterwards brought back to Memphis and the troops embarked on a boat and went down the river before Vicksburg. When that fortress of the Mississippi had capitulated the regiment found a place in the command of General Sherman. Mr. Kennedy and his comrades fought with that great leader all the way to Atlanta, from Atlanta to the sea, in the campaigns through the Carolinas until the surrender of Johnston's army and he afterwards went to Washington with Sherman's troops and participated in the glorious spectacle of the Grand Review.
Following the war Mr. Kennedy returned home and was soon diligently pursuing the business to which he had been early trained, that of farming. After several years of renting he bought in 1870 a farm of 160 acres.
In 1867 Mr. Kennedy married Miss Mary Warren, who lived in Jackson township. She died in 1868, leaving one son, Charles W. In 1872 Mr. Kennedy married Miss Martha J. Ham. There were born to this marriage seven children, and the four now living are Ethel, Roxie, Gertrude and Hazel.
After some years of successful farming Mr. Kennedy in 1874 engaged in the drug business at Morocco. That was his line of endeavor for ten years, and in the meantime he also established a stock of dry goods as a partnership enterprise under the name of Kennedy & Schaub. This partnership was successfully maintained for twelve years, when Mr. Kennedy bought out his partner and soon afterward organized the firm of Kennedy & Murphey. That business is still the foremost of its kind in Morocco and is now oper- ated entirely by Mr. G. H. Murphey. A number of years ago Mr. Kennedy organized the Farmers Bank of Morocco, and gave most of his time to its management and administration for nine years. This bank was then sold to the Morocco State Bank. Mr. Kennedy has one of the most beautiful residences and grounds in Morocco, Indiana.
S. S. PETER AND PAUL'S CHURCH. One of the strongest Catholic parishes in Newton County is now at Goodland, though for many years it was only a mission supplied from Kentland and other churches. The record of S. S. Peter and Paul's Church, furnished
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by its present pastor, Rev. Anthony Henneberger, is an interesting story of growth and covers more than forty years.
From 1872 until October, 1903. Goodland was a mission. The priests who attended the mission during that time were: Rev. Anthony Messmann of Kentland, from 1872 to 1878; Rev. John Hoss, of St. Anthony, from 1878 to 1881 ; Rev. F. X. Baumgartner, of Kentland, from 1881 to 1883; Rev. W. Conrad Miller, of Kent- land, 1883 10 1888; Rev. A. J. Strueder, of St. Anthony, 1888 to 1891; Rev. Joachim Baker, of St. Anthony, 1891 to 1896; Rev. F. von Schwedler, of St. Anthony, 1896 to 1898; Rev. F. J. Bilstein, of St. Anthony, 1898 to 1900: Rev. G. A. Zern, of St. Anthony, 1900 to October, 1903. At the latter date Father Zern became the first resident pastor of Goodland, and during his pastorate, from October 2, 1903, to August 27, 1905, did much constructive work in the parish. His death occurred at the latter date in St. Joseph's Hospital at Logansport.
From June, 1902, to August 9, 1903, Rev. Francis A. King resided at Goodland as Father Zern's assistant. From October 10, 1905, to June, 1911, Rev. Ignatius F. Zircher was the resident pastor, being succeeded in June, 1911, by Rev. John B. Steger, who remained to October 1, 1913, and since the latter date Rev. Anthony Henneberger has been in charge.
Some forty years ago a very small company of Catholic families lived in and about Goodland. In 1877 only eight families attended services at the mission. In 1880 a lot was purchased and a frame church erected at a cost of about $1,000. The first parochial resi- dence was a very old dwelling house which stood on one of the five lots purchased in 1902 by Father Zern. The present handsome church is a brick edifice, 98 by 544 feet in ground dimensions, and with a seating capacity of 400. Architecturally the exterior is imitation Gothic and the interior Roman style. It cost about $14,000 to erect, and the cornerstone was laid November 9, 1902. The church was dedicated by Bishop H. T. Alerding July 12, 1903. The present strength of the parish is about sixty families, and it is well organized, with the various societies. Father Zircher erected the brick parochial residence on the site of the old one in 1909.
From Goodland the Catholic people of Morocco are now attended as a mission. The Sacred Heart Church at Morocco was under the direction of Rev. F. Joseph Bilstein during his pastorate at St. Anthony's from February. 1898. to October, 1900. He built the present church there in 1899. Morocco continued to be attended .by St. Anthony's until Goodland acquired its resident pastor.
Rev. Anthony Henneberger, whose kindly and efficient services have won him the love and respect of all classes of people in and around Goodland, was born at Lutz in the Diocese of Treves, Ger- many. April 2. 1859, a son of Frank and Lucy ( Gillis ) Henneberger. In early youth he directed his preparations for the priesthood and when the Prussian government closed all Catholic institutions he
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immigrated to America with his mother and four sisters and settled near Princeton, Indiana, in 1876. In September, 1880, he entered St. Meinrad's College, and upon the recommendation of the abbot, was ordained in the cathedral at Fort Wayne by Bishop Dwenger on June 15, 1889. From that time forward, a period of more than a quarter of a century, Father Henneberger has been almost continu- ously engaged in some active pastorate. On the day of his ordination he was appointed pastor at Fowler, Indiana, where he served until August 7, 1898, and was then stationed at Attica until April. 1899. From that time until August 12, 1900, he was absent from his duties on account of illness, and then returned to Fowler and was pastor of the church there until January 1, 1907. He was at Tipton from January 1, 1907, to October 1, 1913, and has since been pastor of S. S. Peter and Paul's Church in Goodland.
MORT KILGORE. The First National Bank of Goodland in the ten years of its history has had a steady growth and prosperity that reflects much credit upon its management as well as upon the pros- perity of the town and surrounding locality which the bank serves.
It was organized August 15, 1905, and the eight men who estab- lished the bank were Dr. B. W. Pratt, Mort Kilgore, Z. F. Little, Paul Weishaar, Sr., John M. Wilson, George H. Smith, Benjamin F. Davidson, and Rufus Jacobs. The first officials were: B. W. Pratt, president ; Z. F. Little, vice president ; Mort Kilgore, cashier. The other men named as organizers constituted the balance of the board of directors while other stockholders at the time of organiza- tion were Robert Wilson. John Hudson and Winfield Rowe. When first organized the bank had a capital stock of $25,000. This was increased to $50,000 on April 13. 1908. At the present time the deposits run at about the figure of $200,000. The officers are: James W. Oswald, president ; George H. Smith, vice president ; and Mort Kilgore, cashier.
It will thus be seen that Mort Kilgore, who would have to be recognized with those initials and is best known among business circles and his many friends as "Mort" Kilgore, has been indentified with this successful financial institution of Goodland since its begin- ning. He was born in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, September 30, 1864, a son of James and Elizabeth (Dysert) Kilgore, who were of Scotch-Irish and German descent, respectively. James Kilgore offered the extreme sacrifice during the Civil war as a Union soldier, dying while in service as a member of the One Hundred and Twen- tieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry.
After his death the family removed to Grandfather Dysert's home in Warren County, where Mort Kilgore grew to manhood. His early life was spent on the farm, and such education as the common schools could not supply him he supplemented by a course in the Valparaiso University, where he was graduated Bachelor of Science in 1888. After that he taught school, spent three years in
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the high school at Fulton, Kentucky, and in a short time in Benton County, Indiana. His real career has been along business lines. For four years he was bookkeeper for Z. F. Little & Company at Goodland, and then for eight years held the office of postmaster. In the meantime the First National Bank was organized and he has been steadily looking after the bank's business and its customers at the cashier's window since 1905.
In politics he is a republican, and is now serving his third term as a member of the Goodland school board. He is a member of the board of stewards of the Methodist Church and fraternally is present and a past master of Goodland Lodge No. 445, Free and Accepted Masons and a member of Goodland Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. Mr. Kilgore is also secretary of the Newton County Loan & Savings Association.
On August 8, 1895. he married Miss Retta Crowden, daughter of Joseph Crowden, of Goodland. Of the three children born to their marriage the only one now living is a son, Earle M., though they have an adopted daughter, Hope E.
WILLIAM E. MITTEN. For over twenty years William E. Mit- ten has filled the post of station agent for the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railway at Goodland. He has been there so long and has represented both the railroad and the interests of the people so well that any mention of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois in that community suggests the genial personality of the Goodland station agent. Naturally he has been an important factor in local busi- ness affairs and has done his part likewise in behalf of every important civic movement and improvement undertaken in Good- land during recent years.
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