USA > Indiana > Delaware County > A twentieth century history of Delaware County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 37
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LUDLOW K. BURT, of Shideler, Indiana, was born in Union township, Delaware county, Indiana, July 22, 1851, and received his education in the public schools. He is a son of Joseph and Minerva (Kane) Burt. Joseph Burt, the father, was born in Pennsylvania, and came to Indiana with his father when but a mere boy. They located in Union township, three miles
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southeast of Wheeling, and were among the first of the hardy band of pioneers who settled that section. Joseph Burt died July 12, 1852, in his thirtieth year. Mrs. Burt, the mother, was born in Ohio February 5, 1828, and was the mother by this marriage of two children: Amanda, wife of Clarkson Cates, and Ludlow K., subject of this sketch. Mrs. Burt was married, for the second time, to David Simonton, and became the mother of five children, but one of whom is now living, Mary E., the wife of the Rev. George L. Studebaker. Mrs. (Burt) Simonton passed to her reward September 15, 1903.
Our subject during his boyhood days worked on his father's farm and after his marriage engaged in farming for himself on a forty-acre tract of land, to which he later added eighty acres adjoining, and subsequently two hundred and twenty acres more. Here he resided until 1899, when he removed to the place where he now resides, which is the old homestead where his wife was born. The house, though built in 1866, is in a remarkable state of preservation and has been remodeled to make a fine modern farm- house. The barn of the premises was built in 1847 and has been in con- tinuous use since. This homestead property comprises seventy acres and is as fine a farm as there is in the township. Mr. Burt is a member of the Christian church and in politics is a stanch Republican.
On September 28, 1872, Mr. Burt was united in marriage to Miss Margaret E. Shideler, who was born in Hamilton township, Delaware county, Indiana, November 11, 1850. She is the daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Little) Shideler, and a sister of Isaac H. Shideler, an account of whose life appears elsewhere in these pages.
Mr. and Mrs. Burt are the parents of nine children, seven of whom are living : Edward W., who married Bertha Martin; Rolvin, who died in his twenty-second year ; Lemon W., who married Bessie Hurt ; Sarah ; David F., who married Martha Wingate; Minerva, who died in infancy; Lola, Millie E., and Ora.
JOHN FREEMAN. Among the oldest and most highly respected citizens of Delaware county there is none more deserving of mention in the history of the county than John Freeman, of Hamilton township. He was born January 26, 1825, in Adams county, Ohio, and came to Delaware county with his parents as early as 1835, when he was but ten years of age. Since that early day he has maintained his residence in the county, and as he has now passed the eighty-second milestone on the journey of life, his residence here covers a period of seventy-two years or more.
Mr. Freeman's parents were Isaac and Jemimah (Moore) Freeman, both of whom were born in Scioto county, Ohio, and of their eight children John was the second oldest in order of birth. The family came to this county in 1835, and in the following year settled in the dense forests of what is now Hamilton township, where in section 30 the father entered gov- ernment land, and in the log cabin, which he there built, he established
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his family. This little cabin home, although long since deserted, still stands on the land, a mute reminder of the days of long ago. The father set about to clear the heavy timber from the land, eventually developing a fine farm, and in the work of clearing and developing he was assisted by his son, John, to whom was given title to fifty-five acres and on which he has continued to reside and farm during all these years. The father died in 1864, aged sixty-one years, and the mother survived until 1871, passing away at the age of seventy years. They were life members of the Methodist church, and the father affiliated with the Democracy, and in religious and political matters the son has followed in the footsteps of his parents. When they came to Delaware county, Muncie was a mere village and known as Munceytown, a few Indians being still here, and deer, turkey and other wild game were plentiful.
Amid these pioneer scenes John Freeman was reared. His advantages for an education were such as the old-time log schoolhouses afforded, and during his boyhood days he assisted his father on the farm and remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-four years of age, and then marrying, he settled down in life as a farmer, on the farm where he now and has always lived, following a quiet and unpretentious life. His mar- riage was solemnized in 1849, Mary J. Weir becoming his wife, and they were devoted companions for fifty-five years, when the faithful wife was called away in death, in 1905, aged seventy-five years. She was born in Ohio, and from that state came with her parents to Delaware county in 1836, when she was a girl of but six years. Her parents were Thomas and Mary Weir, natives of Pennsylvania. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Freeman were born three children: Paulina, the wife of Fernando Storer, of Muncie; Thomas J., on the farm with his father, and he is one of the most enter- prising and successful farmers of the county, and James B., the first born, who died when eleven months old. When seventeen years of age Mr. Free- man united with the Methodist church, and his wife was also a worthy member of that denomination from a very early age. Peaceful, quiet, honest and industrious, Mr. Freeman has won and retained the friendship of a host of acquaintances, and all honor and revere him for his sterling worth and true nobility of character.
JOHN VENABLE BAIRD, M. D. Prominent among the leading physicians of Albany is John V. Baird, M. D., a man of wide professional experience and one who has given much time and thought to the study of diseases and their cause. He is especially fitted for the work in which he is engaged, and the respect bestowed upon him by his fellow men bespeaks the eminent success that he has attained. A son of the late John Baird, he was born June 13, 1850, in Jay county, Indiana, and there grew to manhood. His paternal grandfather, Britton Baird, came to this country in 1790, locating first in New York state, but subsequently removed to Warren county, Ohio, where he resided the remainder of his life.
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Born November 8, 1808, in York county, New York, John Baird was brought up on the farm which his father cleared and improved. Moving with his family to Indiana in August, 1839, he became a pioneer settler of Jay county. Taking up a tract of timbered land he improved a good homestead, on which he was engaged in general farming until his death on October 25, 1859, while yet in manhood's prime. He married, January 27, 1831, Eliza Staley, who survived him a number of years, passing away July 10, 1870. Of the nineteen children born of their union three are now living.
Spending his earlier years on the home farm, John Venable Baird obtained his elementary education in the district schools of his native town, subsequently attending Liber College. At the age of seventeen he began teaching, and while thus employed began the study of law. At the end of a year, deciding to make a change of studies, Mr. Baird traded his law books for medical works, and the following two years read medicine with Dr. E. W. Moon. Going to Cincinnati in 1879, he entered the Eclectic Medical Institute of that city and was there graduated in 1881 with the degree of M. D. Upon receiving his diploma Dr. Baird located in the village of Albany, where he has since been actively and successfully engaged in the practice of his profession, his skill and ability as a physician being recog- nized and appreciated. For twenty-seven years a resident of Albany, the Doctor is well known throughout this section of the county, and his genial manner and pleasant words make him a welcome visitor to the well and strong as well as to the sufferer to whom he ministers.
On Angust 26, 1875, Dr. Baird married Mrs . arelia J. Hays, by whom he had two sons, John W. and Morris B., both of whom are now living in Muncie, Indiana. Mrs. Aurelia J. Baird died February 28, 1890. The Doctor was married secondly, June 30, 1892, at Poplar Bluff, Missouri, to Miss Mary McGarvey, who was born August 14, 1857, a daughter of Peter and Margaret (McGrail) McGarvey, natives of Ireland. A woman of culture and ability, Mrs. Baird has earned the degree of M. D., having been graduated from the Indiana College of Physicians and Surgeons. She has a fine knowledge of the profession in which she is most successfully engaged, and her papers on medical subjects are widely read by the medical fraternity and are considered of much value.
A stanch Republican in his political views, Dr. Baird represented his district in the state legislature in 1902, doing excellent service to his con- stituents. Fraternally he is a member of Anthony Masonic Lodge No. 171, at Albany, and is also a member of the Red Men. Dr. Baird has two of the parchment deeds bearing the signature of President Van Buren, bearing the dates of August 20, 1838, and November 10, 1840; the sixth deed of the kind found in the county. He is also a collector of curios and as a collector of rare coins stands second to none in Delaware county. He has an Arabic coin dated 1388 and the United States coins from 1790 to the last coinage. Besides coins he classes as an archaeologist and has some
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rare specimens of ores, stones, minerals and Indian relics. He has a valuable library of about one thousand volumes.
ALBERT M. POLAND. Among the well known and respected citizens of Albany Albert M. Poland, an able and successful attorney-at-law, holds an assured position. A native of Delaware county, he was born February 12, 1870, at Sharon, Delaware township, being one of a family of seven children. His father, Nicholas Poland, was here engaged in agricultural pursuits for many years, and was held in high respect as a man of honor and integrity.
Spending the days of his boyhood and youth on the parental home- stead, Albert M. Poland early became familiar with the different branches of farming, and while engaged in this health-giving occupation developed a fine physique. Laying a substantial foundation for his future education in the district schools, he afterwards turned his attention to the study of law, and in 1893, in Muncie, was admitted to the bar. He has since that time been actively engaged in the practice of his chosen profession in Albany, devoting the greater part of his time to his legal work. Mr. Poland was married, January 9, 1895, to Miss Leatha Leavell, who was born in Delaware county, Indiana, a daughter of James and Laura (Worley) Leavell. One child, a daughter named Opal, has blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Poland.
Politically Mr. Poland is a stanch supporter of the principles promul- gated by the Republican party and for two years rendered the city of Albany valuable service as a member of the town council. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and she takes an active interest in the Sunday School connected with it. Mr. Poland is a cultured and highly talented man, well versed in the intricacies of the law, and has filled the positions of trust and responsibility to which he has been called with great fidelity and ability.
ALBERT P. MURRAY, M. D. Occupying a place of prominence among the skillful and successful physicians of Albany is Albert P. Murray, M. D., who has built up a large and lucrative practice in this part of Delaware county. A son of the late Cornelius B. Murray, he was born October 18, 1846, near Blountsville, Henry county, Indiana. He comes of substantial stock, his paternal grandfather, William Murray, having served as a soldier in the war of 1812. 'The grandfather was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, where he lived until after his marriage with Mary Boles. In 1826, following the march of civilization westward, he moved with his family to Ohio. In 1833 he came to Indiana, settling first in Wayne county, but subsequently removing to Henry county, where he resided until his death, in 1856.
Cornelius B. Murray was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, December 22, 1812, and there spent the first few years of his life. At the
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age of sixteen he came with his parents to Indiana and assisted in the pioneer labor of clearing and improving a homestead. Becoming a farmer from choice, he was engaged in agricultural pursuits in either Wayne or Henry counties until his death, at the venerable age of eighty-three years. He was also a teacher for twenty years in Henry. Wayne and Dela- ware counties. His wife, whose maiden name was Lucinda Burroughs, died May 6, 1872, leaving ten children, namely: John C., William H., R. V., Martha E., Albert P., Orin, Orilla. Marcus L .. C. C., and Julia. The father was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. The mother was a consistent Christian woman and a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Brought up on the home farm, Albert P. Murray laid a good founda- tion for his future education in the common schools of his neighborhood. In 1864, on February 8, he offered his services to his country, enlisting in Company K, Nineteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in which he served until after the close of the war, being honorably discharged at Indianapolis, Indiana, July 18, 1865. With his brave comrades he took part in many important battles and campaigns, including the engagements in the Wilder- ness, and was present at the surrender of General Lee April 9, 1865, at Appomattox, Virginia. Returning home, Mr. Murray resumed his studies, first attending the Hagerstown Academy, and then pursued a course in Earlham College at Richmond. ' Beginning then the study of medicine with Dr. A. McElwee, of Hagerstown, Indiana, he remained with him until 1867, when he entered the Medical College of Ohio, from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1869. Locating immediately in Sharon, Delaware township, Dr. Murray began the practice of his pro- fession, remaining there two years. In 1871 he settled in Albany, and with the exception of the time that he was in Keokuk, Iowa, where he took a post-graduate course at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, he has since remained. A man of much ability, progressive and studious, the Doctor keeps himself in touch with the modern methods of diagnosing and treating diseases, and as a general practitioner is meeting with well deserved success.
On January 25, 1872, Dr. Murray married Martha L. Orr, who was born in Liberty township July 30, 1850, a daughter of Col. Samuel and Jane ( Moore) Orr. Her father was a distinguished soldier, having served as colonel of the Eighty-fourth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Five children have blessed the union of Doctor and Mrs. Murray, namely : Edgar C., Gertrude D., Leo, Weldon E., deceased, and Nellie. Politically the Doctor is a strong advocate of the principles of the Republican party, and as an honest, public-spirited man works at all times for the interests of his fellow men. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, John H. Wilson Post No. 419, and to the Knights of Pythias, Castle Hall Lodge No. 378, at Albany, Indiana.
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JAMES M. VANDERBURG, M. D. Noteworthy among the popular and prominent physicians of Albany is James M. Vanderburg, M. D., who has gained an extended reputation in the practice of his profession, his studies and experience giving him a knowledge and skill that have won for him the confidence and esteem of his patients and an assured position among the leading medical men of Delaware county. A native of Indiana, he was born near Winchester, Randolph county, April 9, 1869, a son of Arthur B. Vanderburg. His paternal grandfather, George W. Vanderburg, migrated from New York, becoming a pioneer settler of this state and one of its foremost agriculturists.
Reared on the homestead, Arthur Vanderburg selected farming as his life occupation, and in the various branches of general farming met with undisputed success. He married, at Economy, Indiana, Eunice Ross, whose parents removed from Kentucky to this state, which was her birth- place. Of their union two children were born: Clara, who married S. D. Hunt and died at Muncie, Indiana, in January, 1907; and J. M., the special subject of this brief biographical sketch. Both parents united with the Methodist Episcopal church when young.
After leaving the district school J. M. Vanderburg continued his studies in Indianapolis, attending the Eclectic College of Physicians and Surgeons, from which he was graduated in 1893. Subsequently entering the Kentucky School of Medicine at Louisville, Kentucky, he was there graduated with the class of 1898, and has since that time been established at Albany, where he has built up a large and remunerative practice and has become identified with the best interests of the city.
On August 2, 1893, Dr. Vanderburg married Nora, daughter of J. W. and Hester ( Rees) Wilson, of Albany. Politically the Doctor is affiliated with the Republican party, and has rendered the city excellent service as a member of the school board. Fraternally he is a Mason, an Odd Fellow and a Knight of Pythias. Religiously both the Doctor and Mrs. Vanderburg are conected by membership with the Methodist Episcopal church, in which they are faithful workers and towards the support of which they are willing con- tributors.
ULYSSES GRANT POWERS, M.D. As a successful physician and a repre- sentative of one of the old and honored families of Delaware county Dr. Powers is especially worthy of representation in a work of this kind. A son of the late Dr. James H. Powers, he was born March 12, 1864, in Albany, which has always been his home. He comes from a family of culture and talent, his Grandfather Powers having been one of the earliest school teachers of this part of the state, while his descendants for three generations have been noted as successful teachers.
A native of southern Indiana, Dr. James H. Powers was born in Law- rence county, near Paul, and received his early education in Greene county, Ohio. Taking up the study of medicine, he was graduated from the Starling
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Medical College at Columbus, Ohio, and in 1850 began the practice of his profession at Albany, Indiana, and was here numbered among the able and successful physicians until his death in March of 1884 at the age of sixty- five years. He married, in Albany, Miss Lucinda Mann, who is still living in this city, an honored and beloved woman of seventy-five years. He was a member of the Masonic order, and with his wife belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church. To him and his wife a family of five children, four sons and one daughter, were born. Two children, inheriting the ability of their ancestors, were for many years among the most successful educators of Albany and Delaware township, teaching in the public schools of the city. The sister, Laura M., is now one of the most successful teachers in the county, she having been in charge of the primary department of the Albany public school for twenty years.
Endowed by nature with scholarly talents, Dr. Powers completed the course in the Albany grammar school and then entered the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso, Indiana, and later studied at Delaware, Ohio, after which he entered the Indiana Medical College in Indianapolis, from which he was graduated with honors in the class of 1894. For seven years previous to entering this institution, however, he had taught school most suc- cessfully, being especially popular as an instructor. Since his graduation the Doctor has been located in Albany, and, following in the footsteps of his father, has built up an extensive practice and now enjoys the reputation of being one of the most skillful and faithful physicians in the city of Albany.
In Albany, June 26, 1901, Dr. Powers married Miss Laura H. Stafford, a daughter of James E. Stafford. Mrs. Powers was a successful teacher in instrumental music, being a student at Greencastle, Indiana, and the Chi- cago Conservatory of Music.
Into their home one child, Carroll Lucille, has been born. Energetic and progressive, the Doctor is a man of influence in his community and is held in high esteem by his fellow men. Fraternally he is a member of Anthony Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at Albany, Indiana ; of the Knights of Pythias, No. 378, of Albany, Indiana, and of the Knights of the Maccabees.
JOHN A. DOWELL, M.D. Conspicuous among the successful physicians of Albany, and noteworthy for his keen intelligence and his high mental at- tainments, is John A. Dowell, M.D., who is meeting with signal success in the practice of his profession. A native of Ohio, he was born April 18, 1857, in Urbana, a son of William H. Dowell, and comes of substantial Scotch an- cestry. His grandfather, John Dowell, served as a soldier in the war of 1812.
William H. Dowell was born in Virginia, but in early life moved to Ohio and was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Champaign county until his death in 1880. He was a man of sterling worth, an active member of the Republican party, and in his religious beliefs was a Methodist. He married Harriet McConnell, who was born in Pennsylvania and died in 1907 in
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Toledo, Ohio. Thirteen chidren were born of their union, nine sons and four daughters. One son, William H., Jr., was graduated from the same medical institution as the subject of this sketch, the Eclectic Collegiate In- stitute at Cincinnati, Ohio, and is a prosperous practitioner.
Receiving his diploma at the Urbana high school when but sixteen years old, John A. Dowell immediately began teaching school, and was thus em- ployed for eight consecutive years. Desirous of entering upon a medical career, he entered the Cincinnati Eclectic Collegiate Institute, from which he was graduated with the class of 1881. Settling then in his native state, Dr. Dowell first engaged in the practice of medicine at Urbana, Ohio, going from there to Springfield, Ohio, where he met with excellent success. In 1903 the Doctor took up his residence in Albany, where he is meeting with flat- tering results in the exercise of his profession, having gained a good repu- tation as a practitioner of skill and has won a fine patronage.
In Champaign county, Ohio, in 1878, Dr. Dowell married Belle Harper, a daughter of Hugh C. Harper, and they are the parents of two children, namely: Ethelyn, who married Dwight Hinckley, a son of Dr. H. Hinckley, of the Cincinnati Medical College; and Blanche. In politics the Doctor is a Republican, and active in party ranks, having served as a dele- gate to different conventions. He is a member of the Albany board of health, and socially belongs to the Improved Order of Red Men. As his great-grandfather, John Hamilton, was in the Revolutionary war, the Doctor and his family are eligible to become members of the order The Sons and Daughters of the Revolution. The Doctor traces his lineage to the bonnie Scotland Highlanders.
JOHN L. TULLEY. Conspicuous among the enterprising, practical and progressive business men of Albany is J. L. Tulley, superintendent of the Albany waterworks. Possessing excellent mechanical and executive ability, he has won well-deserved success in his various undertakings by his thor- ough mastery of his calling, his fidelity to his trusts and by his honest deal- ings with all with whom he comes in contact. A native of Indiana, he was born February 12, 1871, in Jay county, where his father, Joseph Tulley, was a pioneer settler, migrating there from Pennsylvania.
Brought up in Jay county, Indiana, J. L. Tulley acquired the rudiments of his education in the public schools. He subsequently took a course in civil engineering, and as a local surveyor obtained a practical experience that has since been of great benefit to him. He afterwards assisted in build- ing light and water plants in different places, and for three years was con- nected with the management of the Consolidated Water and Light Plant of Chicago, Illinois, serving as engineer and erecting their plant. Coming from Chicago to Indiana, Mr. Tulley worked in the same capacity in several towns and cities, for awhile being the builder of the Vincennes Light Com- pany's plant, erected in 1901. Exercising his mechanical ingenuity to some purpose, he has made inventions of permanent value, one being a gauge for
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measuring oil. Mr. Tulley was also instrumental in having one of the lead- ing industries of the city established here, the Albany Automobile Works, of which he is president. This plant is well equipped with modern ma- chinery and gives employment to twenty men. The runabouts manufactured are sold throughout the Union, their reputation as easy-running, strong and durable machines being well established.
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