USA > Indiana > Delaware County > A twentieth century history of Delaware County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 14
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
On leaving the Chicago Law School Mr. Fitch joined the First Illinois Cavalry for service in the Spanish-American war. He was sent to Chicka- mauga, and was discharged on the 3d of November, 1898, with the rank of corporal. He is a member of Delaware Lodge No. 46, F. & A. M., of which he is a past master, and also of the Independent Order of Red Men.
Mr. Fitch and Lula Parkison, of Yorktown, Indiana, were married November 21, 1907.
GEORGE L. HAYMOND, assistant postmaster at Muncie, was born in Delaware county, Indiana, November 16, 1868, on his father's farm just south of Muncie. His parents were William A. and Mary (Louthain) Haymond, the former of whom was born near Palatine, West Virginia, in 1840. He was a brother of Mr. H. C. Haymond, whose biography is re- ferred to for further family history. During his early manhood William A. Haymond came to Delaware county, arriving here only a short time before the outbreak of the Civil war. In the first year of that dreadful con- flict he tendered his services in defense of the Union, enlisting in the Second Indiana Cavalry, and served to the close of the war. During much of his army career he held the rank of orderly, and was present at all the engage- ments of his command. Returning from the war at its close, he settled on a farm just south of Muncie, where he carried on agricultural pursuits with success up to the time of his death in 1880. His wife survives him and now resides in Muncie, where she removed soon after his death. Their marriage was solemnized in the year 1864, and they became the parents of the following named children : Warren G., who died at the age of twenty- three years ; George L., the subject of this personal mention ; and Elizabeth, the wife of George R. Andrews, M.D., also mentioned in this work. The father was well and favorably known as a practical farmer and public- spirited citizen, and in politics he was a Republican.
George L. Haymond spent his early youth on a farm, and coming to Muncie with his mother soon after his father's death, he attended the Muncie schools and graduated from its high school. After spending a short time as a clerk in a hardware store he became a substitute letter carrier, and then for ten years was a regular letter carrier in Muncie. In 1899 he was appointed assistant postmaster, a position he held up to April, 1903. During a short time thereafter Mr. Haymond was in ill health and visited Colo-' rado, from whence he returned to this city and became the deputy county treasurer. In April, 1907, he was again appointed assistant postmaster, his present position. He is a Republican in politics, a Knight Templar Mason and a Knight of Pythias, and is a member of the High Street Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Haymond married, in 1891, Miss Carrie Robin- son, and their only child is a son, John.
VALENTINE TAYLOR, whose memory is revered and honored as one of the brave pioneers of Delaware county, was born in its township of Monroe on the 8th of August, 1836, and died on his farm on the northwest corner
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of Center township December 14, 1905. He was a son of Henry and Abi- gail (Gibson) Taylor, natives respectively of Maryland and Tennessee, and the paternal family is of English origin. Henry Taylor is numbered among the earliest of the Delaware county pioneers, establishing his home in Mon- roe township, and it was on his farm there that his son Valentine grew to manhood's estate and laid the foundation for his subsequent useful career. He enjoyed but poor educational advantages in the old-time schools of Dela- ware county, and his boyhood days were spent at farm labor on the old homestead. He was married in 1857, when twenty-one years of age, to Miss Jane Sunderland, who was born in Salem township, Delaware county, Indiana, October 8, 1836, and died on the homestead in Center township January 6, 1907. She was a daughter of Samuel and Lavina ( Kepper) Sunderland, who came from Ohio to cast in their lot with the early pioneers of Delaware county.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Taylor located on Belle creek, Salem township, where they maintained their residence for about five years, and then in about 1863 removed to a farm in section 31, Center township, where the remainder of their useful lives were spent. Farming continued as Mr. Taylor's life occupation, and at the time of his death his estate consisted of one hundred and twenty acres of fine farming land. He was a Republican in his political affiliations, but never cared for the honors of public office, for he was a quiet, unassuming man and was honored and revered by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. Both he and his faithful and loving wife were numbered among the county's most valued citizens. They had but two children, Henry, a prosperous farmer of Salem township, and Samuel K., who resides on the old homestead farm in Center township.
Samuel K. Taylor was born in Salem township, Delaware county, Jan- uary 8, 1860, and farming has been his life occupation. After the comple- tion of his common-school education he began farming his father's land, and the old homestead farm has ever since continued as the scene of his activities, He married, in 1882, Miss Ella Hanshew, who was born Decem- ber 7, 1864, in Madison county, Indiana, a daughter of James R. and Martha (Clymer) Hanshew, of Madison county, where they have resided for many years. They were natives, however, of Rush county, Indiana, and of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have but one child, Celestia Lafern, born September 16, 1894. Mr. Taylor exercises his right of franchise in support of the principles of the Republican party,
ROBERT W. MONROE. The profession of the law, when clothed with its true dignity and purity and strength, must rank first among the callings of men, and one of its representatives in Delaware county is Robert W. Monroe, one of the practitioners of Muncie. His birth occurred at Xenia, Ohio, March 3, 1851. His father, Hugh Monroe, a Scotch Highlander of the Munro clan, came to the United States when a young man, locating in Xenia, Ohio, where he was married to one of Ohio's native daughters, Je-
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niima Steele. They afterward moved to Kansas, where the father's death occurred in 1884, when he had reached the age of seventy-one years, but the mother survived until 1901, her death occurring when seventy-eight years of age.
In the schools of Lebanon, Ohio, and Valparaiso, Indiana, their son, Robert W. Monroe, received his literary education, and after graduating in the training class of the latter institution he taught school for seven years. In the meantime he had decided on the practice of law as his life's work, and was admitted to the bar in 1877 and immediately entered upon his practice in Muncie. In 1882 he was appointed a deputy in the county auditor's office, and after a deputyship of twelve years he was made the county auditor of Delaware county, being retained in that office for two terms. On the ex- piration of that time he resumed the practice of law in Muncie, his ability soon winning him a distinctively representative clientage. In November, 1906, he was elected the prosecuting attorney, being the present incumbent. He has always been an active and ardent Republican, and as the representa- tive of that party has been the recipient of many public honors.
In August, 1882, Mr. Monroe was married to J. Alice, a daughter of John P. Reid, a plow manufacturer and one of the leading citizens of Mun- cie. Five children have been born to them-Hugh Reid, Agnes, Paul C., Donald G. and Bruce E. Mr. Monroe has membership relations with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Independent Order of Red Men. He stands for principle in political circles, and Muncie numbers him among her leading and influential citizens.
JOHN C. Ross, M.D. During thirty-two successive years Dr. John C. Ross has been engaged in the practice of medicine in Muncie, and is thus one of the oldest representatives of the profession in Delaware county. Dur- ing the time he has not only maintained his position among the leaders of the medical fraternity but has taken part in much of the public and social life of Muncie, so that he is accounted one of her honored citizens. His birth occurred in Randolph county, Indiana, May 10, 1845, whither his father, John Ross, had removed from his native state of Kentucky in 1838. He was a millwright and carpenter. and also followed agricultural pursuits until the inauguration of the Civil war, when he became captain of Com- pany D, Sixty-ninth Indiana Infantry, serving throughout the entire period of the conflict, and was wounded at the battle of Richmond, Kentucky. He continued his residence in Randolph county for a short time after the close of the war, and in 1876 came to Delaware county and entered the ministry of the Methodist church, continuing his ministerial labors therein until his life's work was ended in death, passing away in 1894 when seventy-eight years of age. He had been licensed to preach in 1867, and continued an active worker in the cause of Christianity until he was called to the home beyond. Mrs. Ross bore the maiden name of Eliza B. Hunt and was of English descent. Her father, William Hunt, was also a Methodist minister,
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and was born in England in 1789. Emigrating with his father from his native land to Virginia, he was ordained as a minister of the Methodist church and sent as a missionary to Indiana, having been the first Methodist divine to preach in this commonwealth. Mrs. Ross passed away in death in 1898 at the age of seventy-six years.
The early boyhood days of John C. Ross were spent on his father's farm in Randolph county, attending the district schools during the winter months, and later, completing the engineering course, continued in the pro- fession for eight years. While thus engaged he also studied medicine, and in 1876 graduated from the Indianapolis Medical College and began the practice of his chosen profession in Bethel, Delaware county. It was in 1877 that he came to Muncie, and he has remained here ever since engaged in the practice of medicine. His long professional career has been attended with marked success. His promptness, his sympathetic nature and his gen- erosity are among his chief characteristics, and those who have known him longest esteem him most highly.
In 1872 Dr. Ross married Lucinda Stump, a native daughter of Dela- ware county, and they have five children living. The doctor has fraternal relations with the order of Odd Fellows, with which he has affiliated for forty-two years, and also with the Independent Order of Red Men. He is a consistent member of the church in which he was reared, the Methodist, taking an active part in its work, and in private life he has gained that warm personal regard which arises from true nobility of character.
CHARLES GWINNUP. During a number of years past Charles Gwinnup has been a resident of Muncie, and has been identified with many of the interests that have contributed to its substantial development and improve- ment. He was born in Crawfordsville, Indiana, May 27, 1857, his parents being Samuel Gwinnup and Margaret (Kinney) Gwinnup. Their son was left an orphan at an early age and was reared by his grandfather, attend- ing school until he was fourteen years of age, when he started out to battle with the world for himself. Continuing agricultural labors until twenty- one years of age, he then began railroading, this being in the year 1879, and he was thereafter connected with several of the leading lines in various capacities, such as construction work, on the engineer's corps, as a brake- man and finally as conductor. During this time he was connected with the Monon, the Wabash, the Panhandle and the Louisville and Northern railroads, always changing of his own accord, and was at all times a careful, painstaking and faithful employe. Finally on account of ill health Mr. Gwinnup severed his connections with railroad interests, and in 1894 came to Muncie, where he has ever since been numbered among its leading men of affairs. In 1901 he opened the Delaware Cafe and Restaurant, which under his competent management have become well known to the public, but he has not confined his attention to one line of trade, and in 1903 engaged in the oil business, assisting in the formation of the present Daniel Boone Gas
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& Oil Company, which owns eighty-two acres of land. They were the first company to strike deep-pay oil, having gone two hundred and ninety-four feet through rock, the company paying thirty thousand dollars dividends during the first year, and they now operate eighteen wells and are constantly making substantial improvements in the way of putting in new power, etc. Mr. Gwinnup is the treasurer of the company, and his excellent business ability has contributed not a little to the success of the company. He has also purchased the Record Oil Company, which he soon expects to place in successful operation, while in addition to these large interests he has also introduced a new electric sign, which promises to be a profitable investment. Thus in many fields of endeavor he has directed his energies, and his counsel and sound judgment have contributed to the success of many business inter- ests of Muncie and Delaware county.
The marriage of Mr. Gwinnup was celebrated in 1901, Miss Violetta Spangler, of Texas, becoming his wife. His fraternal relations connect him with the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and to him belongs the honor of being the first Eagle in the state of Indiana. He also got up the charter list for Muncie Lodge No. 231. He is a worthy past president and is now serving his third term as its treasurer.
JAMES WARREN BRISSEY. For a number of years past James W. Brissey has practiced at the bar of Delaware county, and during that time his rise has been gradual. but he today occupies a leading position among the representatives of the legal profession in Muncie. His reputation has been won through earnest, honest labor, and his high standing is a merited tribute to his ability. Born in Owen county, Kentucky, October 7, 1864. he is a son of James Milton and Sarah (Osborn) Brissey, both also natives of the Blue Grass state of Kentucky. They were farming people, and in 1865 they removed to Fountain county, Indiana, where the father departed this life in 1904, when he had reached the eighty-ninth milestone on the journey of life.
After completing his education in the public schools of Fountain county, Indiana, James W. Brissey spent two years in the Ladoga Normal School, and while there David Starr Jordan became interested in the young lad and urged him to go through the state university, making arrangements whereby he was enabled to work his way through the institution. Mr. Brissey had but few opportunities during his early life, but was determined to obtain an education, and has resolutely overcome the obstacles which barred his path to success and today can look back with satisfaction on his struggles and triumphs over difficulties. When but a mere boy he went to western Kan- sas and worked on a cattle ranch as a herder or "broncho buster," but even there he continued his studies, carrying his books with him when out on the prairies. He also taught one term of school in that sparsely settled country, his little "temple of learning" having been twenty-five miles dis- tant from any town, and he experienced much of the life of the frontier
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west. On returning to Indiana he entered the state university, where he worked his way through and obtained his heart's desire, a university educa- tion. For a time thereafter he taught in the schools of Fountain county, and was later elected to the position of county superintendent, the duties of which he discharged with his usual promptness and fidelity. He was ad- mitted to the bar in Fountain county, and shortly afterward was elected prosecuting attorney for the twenty-first judicial district, containing the counties of Fountain, Warren and Benton, continuing as its incumbent for two terms. It was in the year 1901 that he came to Muncie, where for a time he practiced in partnership with Thomas E. Bracken, the firm name being Brissey & Bracken, while later he was a member of the firm of Brissey & Ethell, but is now alone in his practice. He is well informed on the sub- ject of jurisprudence in its various departments and he has won many notable forensic triumphs. In his political connections he is a Republican and takes a deep interest in the questions which affect the welfare of the state and nation and mold the public policy, while since attaining to mature age he has been an active factor in the local campaigns of his party.
In 1889 Mr. Brissey was united in marriage to Anna Martin, a native of Warren county, Indiana, and a daughter of Jesse Martin. They have one daughter, Margaret, who was born on the 3d of February, 1897, and their daughter Ruth died in 1891, when a babe of six months old. Mr. Brissey has fraternal relations with the Knights of Pythias, and is also a member of the Presbyterian church. He is a broad-minded, progressive man and a public spirited citizen, and in all life's relations he is found true to the duties of professional and social life.
HENRY J. KELLER belongs to the group of influential and enterprising merchants who during the last twenty years have made Muncie one of the principal retail centers of eastern Indiana. Especially in the line of dry goods and clothing, the business district of Muncie contains some of the finest establishments to be found in the state and patronized by increasing thousands both in the city and in the surrounding country, the importance of Muncie as a distributing center having been wonderfully increased dur- ing recent years by the interurban lines. One of the first of the large establishments that would be mentioned in a list of Muncie's retail firms is The Keller-Bryce Company, clothing merchants, who occupy the corner room of the Johnson block at Walnut and Charles.
The history of the firm is part of the history of Muncie since the gas boom. On January 15, 1888, Henry J. Keller, who is now president and general manager of the firm, came to Muncie and formed a partnership in the retail clothing business with G. W. Bliss. During the preceding eight years he had been employed as salesman in various dry goods and mercantile establishments and was well equipped by experience and business gifts for the mercantile career upon which he entered. With the growth of Muncie in population and wealth the firm of Bliss and Keller had corresponding 8
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
success, and continued in that style until November, 1895, when a reorgan- ization was effected under the name of Keller. Bryce and Company. In March, 1905, the business was incorporated under the name The Keller- Bryce Company, and Mr. Keller has been president and general manager since that date.
The president of the firm, who is now one of the oldest business men in the city, was born in Winchester, Randolph county, where his father was long identified with farming and merchandising, and where the son also gained his first experience in business life. His father was George Godfred Keller, and he and his wife, Katharine Elizabeth ( Kayser ) Keller, were both natives of Germany and came to the United States in 1852, being married in the same year at Bucyrus, Ohio. In 1855 they moved to Winchester, In- diana, and there the father followed farming and mercantile pursuits until ISSI, since which year he has lived retired, being now eighty-one years of age. For many years he took an active part in church affairs. The mother passed away in December, 1905.
Henry J. Keller was educated in the common schools at Winchester, and after leaving them at once began earning his own living and as a clerk began the career which has been so successful. In politics Mr. Keller is identified with the Republican party. A prominent Mason, he is a member of Muncie Lodge No. 433. F. & A. M., Muncie Chapter No. 30, Muncie Commandery No. 18, the Indiana Consistory, and Murat Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of Muncie Lodge No. 245 of the Elks, and Silver Shield Lodge No. 403, K. of P. April 2, 1885, he was married to Edna L. Haynes, youngest daughter of Jesse G. and Matilda (Cropper) Haynes, the former, deceased, of Randolph county, Indiana. They have three children, Esther, Nellie and Paul G. Mr. Keller and family are identified with the First Presbyterian church.
ALFRED GRINDLE, one of Muncie's foremost citizens, possesses the talent which has placed his name high among the architects of this state. Persever- ingly he has pursued his way with one fixed ambition and goal ever before him, undaunted by the obstacles which he encountered, and now he has won for himself a name and place among the leaders of the profession.
His birth occurred at Manchester, England, July 23, 1863, his parents being George and Elizabeth (Holmes) Grindle, both also natives of the mother country, the father born in Yorkshire and the mother in Manchester. They gave to their son an excellent literary and professional training, he having studied in the King Charles Public School, of Tuxford, in Notting- hamshire, also Owen's University in Manchester, in addition to architectural training in the Manchester School of Art, where he received a careful grounding, resulting in a knowledge of architecture in all its branches, which can only be obtained by such thorough and efficient means. He early displayed an aptitude for the profession of architecture and when quite young was fond of designing, so that the genius is inborn and not acquired.
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With his education completed he served for five years as articled pupil in the offices of Bell & Roper, the famous architects of Manchester and Lon- don, while in 1886 he received the full certificate with honors at the Man- · chester School of Art. As a result of overstudy his health became im- paired and he removed to Birmingham to recuperate, while in 1888 he sailed for the United States and spent the first two years in this country in the East. At the close of the period, in 1890, Mr. Grindle became a resident of Indiana, where for three or four years he held senior positions as chief draughtsman, commencing architectural practice in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1894.
His residence in that city continued from 1894 to 1904, when he came to Muncie, and has ever since been numbered among the city's most promi- nent residents. Among the most prominent buildings which he has designed since his removal from the East may be mentioned the Public Library at Fort Wayne, erected at a cost of one hundred thousand dollars; the Jasper county court house, costing one hundred and fifty thousand dollars; the Root Memorial building. of Fort Wayne ; also the J. B. Barnes building of Fort Wayne; the Mckinley school house, of Muncie ; the Terminal depot, of Muncie, and many others. During this time buildings amounting to over three million dollars have been erected under his supervision, including schools, churches, residences and public buildings.
In 1886 Mr. Grindle was united in marriage to Miss Frances Alice Jones ; five children have been born to them, two only remaining with them, Alfred Vernon Holmes, born August 13, 1894, and Henry George West- brook, born July 6, 1900. Mr. Grindle's fraternal relations connect him with the Masonic order. In connection with his profession he has also a love for music, pursuing his studies on the organ during his leisure time, with the result that he is now a proficient musician, and during many years has been identified with the choirs of the Episcopal church, of which he is a member.
JOSEPH A. NELSON. Among the men of affairs who have been dis- tinctively the architects of their own fortunes is numbered Joseph A. Nelson, who without advantages at the commencement of life has battled earnestly and energetically and is now numbered among the leading business men of Muncie. His birth occurred in Cumberland county, Kentucky, April 4, 1863, his parents being Nicholas C. and Amanda A. (Ferquin) Nelson. The father, a native son of Kentucky, followed the millwright's trade, and while pursuing this occupation was severely injured, dying from the effects of his injury when his son Joseph was but fourteen years of age. Five years later the mother was also called from this life to the home beyond, their large family of children then being left to battle for themselves.
At the time of his mother's death Joseph A. Nelson was but nineteen years of age, and at that early age, with practically no educational ad- vantages, he was left to make his own way in the world, and not only was he obliged to care for himself but also for eight other children younger than
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