USA > Indiana > Delaware County > A twentieth century history of Delaware County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 12
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In October, 1879, Mr. Andrews married Miss Emerica J., a daughter of James L. Daugherty, one of Delaware county's earliest and prominent residents.
R. O. TIDRICK, M. D. In the medical profession advancement is not easily secured; it comes only through true merit. And that Dr. Tidrick has secured a large patronage, although he is one of the younger prac- titioners, is indicative of his skill and ability. His birth occurred in Carroll county, Indiana, March 16, 1873, his parents being R. R. and Alice ( Win- gard) Tidrick, both also natives of this commonwealth. During a period of over forty years the father was engaged in the practice of medicine, his name becoming a household word in the community in which he so long made his home, but he is now living quietly retired from the cares of active labor at his pleasant home in Carroll county.
After completing his education in the country schools of his native county Dr. Tidrick of this review was engaged in teaching for one year and in 1891 was in Purdue University, engaged in the study of pharmacy. He then entered upon the study of medicine under the able instructions of his father, and later, in 1897, graduated from the Medical College of Indiana. In the same year of his graduation he entered upon the active practice of medicine with his father, continuing his connection with that able and well known practitioner until his removal to Muncie in 1901. Here his professional career has been attended with marked success, his promptness, his sympathetic nature and his generosity being among his chief characteristics, and those who have known him longest esteem him most highly. Although he is well versed in the general medical science, he makes a specialty of genito urinary diseases and is winning renown in his special department.
L. L. BALL, M. D. As a medical practitioner Dr. Ball has won dis- tinction and throughout the period of his residence in Muncie he has enjoyed an extensive and remunerative practice. He is progressive in all his methods, constantly reading and studying, and keeps in close touch with the spirit of the times. His birth occurred in Greensburg, Ohio, March 29, 1850, his parents being Lucius and Maria P. (Bingham) Ball, both natives of the Dominion of Canada. During the '30s the father removed to Olio, where he became a prominent and well known contractor and builder, and he also spent several years in the South engaged in the same line of business. In 1866 he transferred his residence to Canandaigua, New York, where his life's labors were ended in death in 1876, at the age of sixty-four years.
Dr. Ball, the eldest of the Ball brothers, who are so prominent and well known in the manufacturing and commercial circles of Muncie, received his literary training in the Canandaigua Academy, and he after- ward completed his medical education in the medical department of the
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University of Buffalo, where he was graduated in 1888. During the year following his graduation he practiced his chosen profession in that city and then spent two years as interne in the Adrian Hospital of Pennsylvania, from whence he returned to Buffalo. In 1895 Dr. Ball came to Muncie, where he has built up an excellent practice and has won the commendation of the public and his professional brethren. In order to keep abreast of the many new discoveries which are being constantly made in the profession he holds membership relations with the state and national medical societies.
The marriage of Dr. Ball was celebrated in 1894, when Sarah Rodgers, of Buffalo, New York, became his wife, and they hold a high place in the social circles of Muncie. They have one daughter, Helen. The Doctor is a member of Muncie Lodge, No. 433, F. & A. M .; of Muncie Com- mandery, No. 18, K. T., and Muncie Chapter, No. 30, R. A. M., and has taken the thirty-second degree. He is medical director of the Western Reserve Life Insurance Company, physician and surgeon to the Ball Brothers Manufacturing Company, and a stockholder in that corporation.
JOHN MCPHEE, a prominent representative of the bar of eastern Indiana, has for a number of years past been engaged in the practice of his profession in Muncie. His birth occurred in Michigan on the 27th of January, 1868, his parents being Archibald and Mary ( McDonald) McPhee, the former a native of Canada and the latter of Scotland. In the early '50s the father removed to Michigan, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits, and both he and his wife still reside in that commonwealth.
After graduating from the common schools of his native locality in Michigan, John McPhee, whose name introduces this review, was engaged in teaching for five years, and during that time was also engaged in the study of law. In 1895 he completed the course and graduated from the Detroit Law School, after which he began the practice of his chosen profession in Albany, Delaware county, Indiana, while in 1898 he became a citizen of Muncie. His long identification with this city and his promi- nence therein has made his name a familiar one in legal circles. He spares neither time nor labor in his legal investigation and preparation, and he is known as a man of high attainments and practical ability as a lawyer and as one who has achieved success in his profession.
For his wife Mr. McPhee chose May C. Charman, their wedding having been celebrated in June, 1903. She is a daughter of James Charman, one of the honored pioneers of Delaware county, and by a previous mar- riage she was the mother of one daughter, born on the 28th of December, 1901. One son, John Charman, has been born to Mr. and Mrs. McPhee, his birth occurring March 12, 1905. For many years Mr. McPhee has been a recognized leader in the ranks of the Republican party in Delaware county, taking an active part in the work of the campaigns, and he is numbered among Muncie's most honored citizens. His fraternal relations are with the Independent Order of Red Men.
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CLAYTON B. TEMPLER. The prestige of Clayton B. Templer at the bar of Delaware county stands in evidence of his ability and his intrinsic worth of character. He has used his intellect to the best purpose, and his career has been based upon the assumption that nothing save industry, perseverance, sturdy integrity and fidelity to duty will lead to success. The birth of Mr. Templer occurred near Portland, in Jay county, Indiana, June 10, 1850, a son of George W. and Hannah S. (Nedsker) Templer, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio. It was during the pioneer days in the history of Indiana that the parents took up their abode in Jay county and the father became a man of prominence in his community. He was a leader in the ranks of the local Democracy and as its representa- tive served as a justice of the peace, county recorder, county treasurer, county commissioner, and in many other positions of trust and responsi- bility. He was also a prominent member of the Masonic order and in the faith of the Methodist church, of which he had long been a devout and faithful member, he passed away in death in 1882.
Clayton B. Templer, one of his parents' eight children, obtained his literary education in the country schools and the Ridgeville College. His highest ambition was to become a lawyer, and to perfect himself in the profession he began study under the preceptorship of his brother, James N. Templer, at Portland, later, in 1872, coming to Muncie and entering the office of Templer & Gregory. In the year of 1873 he was admitted to the bar and began the practice of his chosen calling in this city, where, by reason of his strong intellectuality, he has risen above the ranks of the many and become a leader in thought and action, his influence extending not only into the professional but to the political circles as well.
In the year 1878 Mr. Templer was united in marriage to Clara J. Ireland, a daughter of A. C. Ireland, of Delaware county.
OSCAR W. CRABES. Honored and respected by all, Oscar W. Crabbs has for a long period been prominently identified with the public affairs of Muncie, and for a number of years past has served as the superintendent of Beech Grove Cemetery. He was born near Dayton, Ohio, March 2, 1852, a son of Benjamin F. and Louisa F. (Folkerth) Crabbs, both also natives of the Buckeye state, the paternal family having been founded in that commonwealth by the grandfather of Oscar W. Crabbs, Benjamin F. Crabbs, who removed thither from his native state of Maryland. It was there that the subject of this review received his educational training, and there he also followed the tilling of the soil until his removal to Muncie in 1884. Here he turned his attention to the grain and hay business, continuing in that line of trade for twelve years, on the expiration of which period he was made the superintendent of Beech Grove Cemetery, the duties of which position he has discharged with promptness and fidelity worthy of all commendation. Always an active worker in the interests of this city, he served for eight years as a member of its city council. and
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from 1893 until 1896 had charge of the city parks, while to him belongs the honor of instituting many of their most valuable improvements, such as the laying out of the drives and roads, ete. He has also made of Beech Grove a beautiful city of the dead, with its artificial lakes and excellent drives, its beautiful arch at the entrance and the mortuary chapel built of field boulders. Being a natural landscape gardener, he is particularly fitted for the position he now holds.
In 1872 Mr. Crabbs was united in marriage to May E. Hosier, a daughter of Robert and Hannah (Lemon) Hosier, and they have three children: Claudia, now Mrs. Charles Parker Sample, Frank D. and Robert B. Mr. Crabbs is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Elks fraternities, and both he and his wife are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has served as trustee and was a member of the building committee when the present edifice was erected.
FRANK D. HAIMBAUGH. Perhaps no enterprise to which man direets his energies brings one into closer touch with the people and the vital interests of the time than the labor of the newspaper correspondent. Through many years Mr. Haimbaugh has been connected with journalism, and he is now the editor of the leading paper of Delaware county, the Muncie Press, his labors advancing it to a foremost position in journalistic circles. He was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, in September, 1856, a son of David and Margaret ( Leonard) Haimbaugh. In 1863 the family removed from the Buckeye state to Fulton county, Indiana, where the little Iad was early inured to the duties of the farm. The early educational training which he received in the district schools was supplemented by attendance at the Rochester high school, in which he was graduated in 1878. Two years later, in 1880, he completed the scientific course and graduated from the Northern Indiana Normal College at Valparaiso, Indiana, his excellent educational training then enabling him to enter the school room as a teacher, which profession he followed for fifteen years, four of them being spent as principal of the Brookston Academy. In 1885, without his seeking the office, he was made the superintendent of schools for his home county of Fulton, his broad intelligence and full appreciation of the value of knowledge as a preparation for life's responsibilities enabling him to advance the intellectual status of the community, and he gained a high place in the educational cireles of the state. Severing his connection with the profession, Mr. Haimbaugh in 1887 engaged in the insurance business in Iowa and Indiana, but this occupation not proving congenial to his tastes he purchased an interest in the Miami county, Indiana, Sentinel in 1889, but later sold his interest therein and came to Muneie. Here he purchased a half interest in the Herald, but he is now serving as editor and proprietor of the Press, one of the leading journals of the county. He is a man of scholarly attainments and is a most able writer, his style being fluent, his dietion correct and his utterances clear.
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Mr. Haimbaugh is also especially active in the support of the Demo- cratic party, his influence in political circles being most marked. In 1889 he was elected doorkeeper for the Indiana house of representatives, to which position he was returned in 1891, an honor never before conferred upon any man. In 1893 he was elected by a unanimous vote to the office of secretary of the Democratic Editorial Association of State, which position he filled for a number of years, when he succeeded to one term as president of the association. He is now serving as a member of the police board of the city of Muncie. During five of the past six years he has been secretary of the Commercial Club of Muncie, to which organization he gives time and thought.
The marriage of Mr. Haimbangh was celebrated in May, 1890, when Emma Elginfritz, of Warsaw, Indiana, became his wife. He possesses a cordial. genial manner, is uniformly courteous and inspires friendships of unusual strength.
LEWIS PAYTON, M. D. In the early settlement and subsequent history of Delaware county the Payton family have been prominent, and during many years one of its representatives, Dr. Lewis Payton, has labored unceasingly in the medical profession, striving to do all in his power toward the amelioration of the "ills to which flesh is heir," and succeeding to a gratifying degree in his noble endeavors. His birth occurred near Muncie, Delaware county, on the 7th of September, 1851, his parents being Gabriel and Mary E. (Hedrick) Payton. The father, who was a native of Wayne county, Indiana, came to Delaware county in the early year of 1833, first taking up his abode in Liberty township, and some time in the '40s moved ยท to the old homestead, which has ever since been his place of residence. Mrs. Payton was a native of the Old Dominion state of Virginia, but during her girlhood days she was brought by her parents to Delaware county. In their family were two sons and two daughters, all of whom are living in this county.
Dr. Payton received an excellent literary education in the public schools near his old home and in the National Normal School of Ohio, and with this valuable training to serve as the foundation for his future life work he began the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. Schaub, by whom he was prepared to enter the Curtis Physio Medical Institute of Marion, Indiana, in which he was graduated in 1883. As he was then fully competent to enter the practice of his chosen profession he opened an office in Marion, but four years later, in 1885, came to Muncie, where he has since made his home and carried on a general practice. His mem- bership in the District Physio Medical Society enables him to keep more fully abreast of the many new discoveries which are constantly being made in the profession, and in his fraternal relations he is a member of the Independent Order of Red Men.
In 1874 Dr. Payton was united in marriage to Agnes J. Beall, whose
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birth occurred in West Virginia, but at the time of the close of the Civil war she came with her father, Samuel Beall, to Delaware county, Indiana. Dr. and Mrs. Payton have become the parents of three children: Laura, now Mrs. Bowen; Volney W .; and Mary Etta, now Mrs. Meeks.
CHARLES E. LAMBERT, the present trustee of Center township, has been a resident of Delaware county throughout his entire life, for his birth occurred near Daleville on the 20th of July, 1865, his parents being John N. and Nancy (Graham) Lambert, who in an early day in the history of the county took up their abode within its borders, and the name has hence- forth been prominently identified with its annals. After obtaining his education in the public schools the son Charles entered the teacher's pro- fession, continuing in the task of instructing the young for seventeen years, his broad intelligence, scholarly attainments and his full appreciation of the value of knowledge making him one of the most able educators of the county. While thus engaged he was also for five years connected with the mail service in Muncie, teaching school during the winter months and carrying the mail in the summer. Throughout his entire life he has been an efficient public worker and was made the township trustee, entering upon the duties of the office on the Ist of January, 1905. In 1906 he became associated with T. G. Groman in the undertaking business under the firm name of the Lambert-Groman Company, and he is its secretary and treasurer.
In 1887 Mr. Lambert was united in marriage to Olga Noftsinger, also a native of Delaware county, but after a happy married life of eighteen years the loving wife was called to the home beyond, leaving four children : Opal, who was born March 26, 1888; Inez, born May 31, 1895; Nettie, born September 15, 1897, and Mark Beveredge, born November 9, 1899. Mr. Lambert married, February 28, 1907, Lisette A. Smith, of Indianapolis, who was for some years principal of Riverside school in Muncie. He is a worthy member of the Masonic order, affiliating with Delaware lodge, also with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a member of the United Brethren church. He is deeply interested in the affairs of the county, which has been his home throughout his entire life, has always advocated the measures which have advanced its welfare and has labored for its improvement and progress.
CHARLES A. VAN MATRE. For many years the name of Charles A. Van Matre has been inseparably interwoven with the history of the educa- tional interests of Muncie. His broad intelligence, scholarly attaindents and his full appreciation of the value of knowledge as a preparation for life's responsibilities make him one of the ablest educators who have pro- moted the interests of the schools of Delaware county. Born in Harrison township, Delaware county, December 31, 1869, he is a son of Oliver Perry and Amelia ( Brandon) Van Matre, both also natives of this countv. It
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was in the very earliest epoch in the history of the county that the Van Matre family was established within its borders, Grandfather Van Matre hav- ing moved hither from Ohio in the late '20s and settled in Mt. Pleasant town- ship, where he became an extensive agriculturist. At the time of the organization of the county he was made its clerk and recorder, and his name was prominently associated with its early history. Oliver Perry spent his entire life in the county which his father had helped to organize and died in 1888.
After attending the public schools of his native locality Mr. Charles A. Van Matre entered the state university, but previously had taught school, and after his return from college again entered the profession. In 1897 he was elected the county superintendent of schools for Delaware county, where his ever broadening influence has been of incalculable value. He has been prominent in the movement for the consolidation of schools, whereby small schools shall be abandoned and wagons provided to convey the children to centrally graded or high schools. His labors are permeated by broad humanitarian principles, which render them a source of assistance to his fellow men, whereby he advances the scheme of our human existence, -the constant uplifting and betterment of the race.
In 1904 Mr. Van Matre was married to Miss Wilmina Wallace, a native of Peru, Indiana, and their only child, a daughter, Amelia, was born on the 27th of February, 1906. Mr. Van Matre is a member of Delaware lodge of the Masonic order, and of the Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fellows fraternities. He is also a member of the Delaware county bar.
RALPH S. GREGORY. Throughout his entire professional career, which covers an extended period, Mr. Ralph S. Gregory has practiced at the bar of Delaware county, and his high standing as a legal practitioner has been won through earnest labor. His reputation is a merited tribute to his ability. Delaware county is therefore proud to claim him among her native sons. His birth occurred on a farm February 28, 1846, his parents being Samuel and Mary (Braddock) Gregory. They were married in Pennsyl- vania and removed thence to Indiana, becoming pioneer settlers of Niles township, Delaware county, and the farm on which they located is yet owned by two of their sons, Ralph and Samuel. There the parents reared their children and lived for many years, the father dying when he had reached the sixty-ninth milestone on the journey of life, and the mother was sixty-five years of age when called to the home beyond. Their children were: William, of Kansas; Margaret, of Albany, Indiana ; Samuel, a resident of Delaware county ; John ; Frank ; Ralph S .; and Mary, who died in her youth. The father was a successful farmer, and in the early days voted with the Whigs, later transferring his relations to the Republican party, and both he and his wife were worthy members of the Methodist church.
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Mr. Gregory of this review received his elementary education in the country schools and when fifteen years of age entered the high school of Muncie, where he completed the course and then became a student in Wabash College. In 1862, however, his studies were interrupted by his call to war, and he entered the army as a private in Company B, Eighty- fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. His enlistment took place on the 8th of August, 1862, and he remained in the service practically two years, when on account of failing health he was honorably discharged at Shell- mond, Tennessee, having in the meantime attained to the rank of orderly sergeant. His health was regained soon after his return home and he re-entered Wabash College, remaining there through the junior year, when he matriculated in Asbury, now De Pauw, University, and graduated with honors in the class of 1867. The year following this event Mr. Gregory was made superintendent of the high school of Huntington, Indiana, and at the same time had charge of a classical school at Wabash, this state. While pursuing his profession of teaching, Mr. Gregory had determined on the practice of law as a life work and was admitted to the bar at Muncie in 1868. Locating here he began what has terminated in a successful career as a lawyer, so determined by his contemporaries and the general public. As a criminal lawyer he has won an enviable reputation.
In his political association Mr. Gregory was a Republican up to the year of 1892, when on account of the tariff issue, he believing the tariff laws should be revised, he withdrew his support therefrom. He has never advocated free trade, but "tariff for revenue" is a doctrine which has won his hearty approval. At one time he served as county superintendent of the Delaware schools, but beyond this he has never held an office of much importance. For many years he has been a prominent factor in the fraternal circles, being a Knight Templar Mason and a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Improved Order of Red Men and other societies. He was elected at Detroit, Michigan, Great Incohonee of the United States.
In 18So Mr. Gregory married Miss Anna C. Madden, who was born in Piqua, Ohio, in 1863, receiving her educational training in the city of her nativity and becoming an accomplished musician. She is a daughter of Timothy C. Madden. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gregory have been born two children: Walter Leon, a graduate of the Chicago University, and Florence Madden, the wife of Attorney William Thompson, of Muncie.
WEBSTER S. RICHEY. For over thirty-five years Webster S. Richey has resided within the borders of Delaware county, and in that time has won a place among its best and most favorably known citizens. He is also con- nected with one of the leading industrial concerns of the county, the Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing Company. Mr. Richey was born in Preble county, Ohio, March 11, 1848, a son of Samuel W. and Sarah C. ( Fleming) Richey, natives of Ohio, of the counties of Butler and Preble respectively.
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The father was for many years a prominent merchant of New Paris, Ohio, and his death occurred in 1881, at the age of seventy-six years.
Webster S. Richey, the youngest of his eight children, and with his sister the only surviving members of the family, was reared in the village of New Paris, Ohio, there receiving a fair common-school education. When but sixteen years of age. on the ist of April, 1864, he enlisted for service in the Civil war, entering the Eighth Ohio Battery, Light Artillery, and at the close of his fifteen months' service he received a serious injury while mount- ing a cannon. This was about the time of the close of the conflict, and receiving his honorable discharge he returned home and for some time thereafter was engaged in the drug business in New Paris. In 1867 he accepted a position as bookkeeper with a wholesale grocery house in Rich- mond, Indiana, there remaining for three years or until 1870, when he came to Muncie and again entered the drug business, in which he formed a part- nership with his cousin, W. E. Richey, the firm name becoming Richey & Richey. From 1871 to 1876 he was agent for the American Express Com- pany at Muncie, also joint agent for the same company and the United States Express Company from 1876 to 1880, from 1880 to 1881 served as freight agent for what is now the Big Four Railroad Company, for one year thereafter was bookkeeper for Mr. James Boyce, from 1882 to 1887 was route agent for the United States Express Company through Indiana and Ohio and from 1887 to 1889 was again the bookkeeper for Mr. Boyce.
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