USA > Indiana > Delaware County > A twentieth century history of Delaware County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 8
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Gray's legal studies were further pursued at the Harvard Law School. Cambridge, Massachusetts. With this excellent training to begin his life work he was admitted to the Delaware county bar in September, 1904, and became associated in the practice of law with the law firm of Bingham & Long, the connection continuing until December of 1906, at which time Mr. Gray formed a partnership with Frank J. Kent, of Washington, D. C., the firm name becoming Gray & Kent. Messrs. Gray and Kent devote their attention to real estate, probate and corporation law, in which particular lines they have a large and favorable clientage. They maintain an office in the Ouray building at Washington, D. C., and are specially prepared to handle patent trade-mark and copyright cases and all matters before congressional committees and departmental boards.
On July 31, 1907, Mr. Gray was married to Miss Marie Frances Smith, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S. N. Smith, of Muncie. Mr. Gray gives his support to the Republican party, in which he is a prominent and active worker. He belongs to the Jackson Christian church and is a member of the Masonic order and of the Beta Theta Pi collegiate fraternity. His many admirable qualities of heart and mind have gained him a large circle of friends and his future seems bright with promise.
ARTHUR E. VINTON, M. D. One of the most exacting of all the higher lines of occupation to which a man may lend his energies is that of the physician, and in the subject of this review is found one who has gained (listinetion in the calling. He has been an earnest and discriminating student and now holds a position of precedence among the medical practitioners of eastern Indiana. He is, however, numbered among its younger representa- tives, for his birth occurred on the 11th of February, 1874, in Marshalltown, lowa, his parents being Delos D. and Emma E. (Dobson) Vinton, the former a native of Cuyahoga county, Ohio, and the latter of Indiana.
After attending the public schools of Marshalltown Arthur E. Vinton became a carriage painter, working at his trade for several years. In the meantime he had decided to devote his life to the medical profession, and as a means to that end he began reading in the office of Dr. F. G. Jackson, of Muncie, in 1895, while later he entered the Louisville Medical College and graduated therein on the 25th of March, 1895. Immediately after his graduation Dr. Vinton opened his office in this city, continning in the gen- eral practice of medicine until in March, 1906, when he specialized in the diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. In the early part of the same year he went to Europe to study in Berlin and Paris along the lines of his special department, and spent some time in the Royal Ophthalmic Hospital in Lon- don and the Rothschilds Hospital in Paris, while after his return he studied for some time in Philadelphia under private instruction. He has thus studiously, carefully and conscientiously increased the talents that were given him, and is gaining an eminent place among the practitioners of east-
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ern Indiana, while he is also a recognized authority upon many questions affecting the general practice of medicine.
In 1904 Dr. Vinton was united in marriage to Miss Florence L. Nixon, of Fountain City. Indiana. He is a member of the Delaware lodge, F. & A. M .; Welcome lodge, K. P., and also holds membership relations with the county and state medical societies. In addition to discharging the duties of his large medical practice Dr. Vinton is also a member of the county board of health and deputy county health officer and examiner for the Prudential Life Insurance Company. In private life he has gained that warm personal regard which arises from true nobility of character, deference for the opinions of others, kindliness and geniality, while professionally he is a young man of splendid intellectual attainments, and a still brighter future undoubtedly awaits him.
ROSCOE C. GRIFFITH. In reviewing the members of the Delaware county bar the name of Roscoe C. Griffith takes a prominent place among his professional brethren, and we are pleased to present to his numerous friends and acquaintances this review of his life. He was born in Hunting- ton, Indiana, December 15, 1863, his parents being William H. and Seraph- ina M. (Clark) Griffith, the former a native of Huntington county, Indiana, and the latter of Clark county, Ohio.
Their son, Roscoe C. Griffith, received his early literary education in the schools of his native city of Huntington, in which he graduated in June, 1883, and in the following September he entered the law department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he completed the law course and graduated in January, 1885. Returning to Huntington, he entered upon the practice of his chosen profession, and during his residence there was appointed deputy prosecuting attorney, continuing in the position until March, 1888. It was in that year that he came to Muncie. where he con- tinued in practice alone until in May, 1904, when a partnership was formed with James A. Ross, and the firm of Griffith & Ross became well known over this section of the state. On October 1, 1907, this partnership was dis- solved and since then Mr. Griffith has practiced his profession alone. Since 1889 he has served as attorney for the Muncie Savings & Loan Company, and since that time the assets of the company have increased from twenty to eight hundred and fifty thousand, and he has also served as one of its directors. In politics he is a Republican and is an active worker in the party ranks.
On the 12th of August, 1886, Mr. Griffith was united in marriage to Clara L. Marson, a native of Wayne county, Indiana, and a daughter of John Marson. Two daughters have been born of this union, Maurine, whose birth occurred on the 31st of August, 1893, and Helen, born November 1, 1899. Fraternally Mr. Griffith is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He is also a member of the Baptist church and is a contributor to all worthy enterprises.
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WALTER L. DAVIS. One of the leading business men of Muncie is Walter L. Davis, the secretary of the Muncie Savings & Loan Company, and who is ranked with the representative citizens of the county. His birth occurred in Youngsville, Warren county, Pennsylvania, October 21, 1850, his parents being Willard J. and Laura L. (Littlefield) Davis. The father, who is also a native of Pennsylvania, is a prominent farmer and bee keeper, owning the largest apiary in the Keystone state and one of the largest in the United States.
After completing his education in the public schools of his native county of Warren Mr. Davis became a student in the state normal school at Edinboro, Pennsylvania. In 1869 he came to Muncie and joined his uncle, Philip F. Davis, in the agricultural implement business, but seven years afterward abandoned that business for the newspaper field, becoming a member of the staff of the Muncie Courier, a Democratic paper, in which he later purchased an interest. Later selling his interest in that journal he became associated with the Muncie weekly and daily News, and five years later, in company with Thomas McKillip, established the daily and weekly Herald, which is now known as the Muncie Press. He has ever been a writer of superior force and ability, but in 1893 he severed his connection with the newspaper field to become secretary of the Muncie Savings & Loan Company, which was organized in 1889 with Mr. Davis as its director, and he has ever since served in that capacity.
On the 8th of October, 1879. Mr. Davis was united in marriage to Isa- dore F. Morehouse, a daughter of Henry Morehouse, of Delaware county, and one daughter, Ethel, has been born to them. Politically Mr. Davis affiliates with the Republican party, while fraternally he is a member of the Masonic lodge and commandery of Muncie, and religiously is a worthy and consistent member of the Presbyterian church. As a newspaper man he has done much for Muncie. At the time of the discovery of gas in this locality he issued a special edition of his paper, of ten thousand copies, which he distributed for the purpose of advertising the great boon to Muncie, and in many ways he has proved a public benefactor to his city and county.
CLARENCE G. REA, M. D., who has won distinction as one of the most able and successful of the younger medical practitioners in Delaware county, is a native son of Indiana, his birth occurring in New Castle on the Ist of April, 1880, his parents being George N. and Ida B. (Galliher) Rea, who were also born in the Hoosier state, the former in Henry county and the latter in Muncie. After the father's death in 1884 the remainder of the family, consisting of the mother, her son C. G. and a daughter, came to Muncie, where the son received his education in the public and high schools, graduating from the latter in 1899. He seems to have inherited a love for his profession, for his father was a leading physician in the community in which he resided, as was also his brother, and after completing his literary training Clarence G. Rea entered the Jefferson Medical College, in which
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he was graduated in 1904. . Immediately aollowing his graduation he opened an office: in Muncie, where he has since been engaged in private practice and is attaining the success which his skin and ability so well merit. In September, 1906, he was appointed presidentof the board of health, and is also a member of the State Medical Society, che American Medical Asso- ciation, the County Medical Society and the Delaware District Medical Society. His fraternal connections are with the Masonic order. Dr. Rea is a young man of promise, and although he has already gained an enviable position in the practice of medicine a still brighter future awaits hin.
FREDERICK W. HEATH. A native son of Muncie, born on the 5th of May, 1854, and its oldest real estate dealer in point o' continuous service, Frederick W. Heath enjoys an enviable position, having by honorable and correct methods gained the confidence of his fellow townsmen. A review of the family history will be found in the sketch of his father. Rev. Jacob Heath, elsewhere in this work. The son Frederick completed his education in the public schools of this city when seventeen years of age, and during the two years thereafter was engaged in the grocery business for himself. At the close of that period, when in his nineteenth year, he embarked in the real estate business, in which he has continued from that time to the present, and is now its oldest representative in Muncie. To him belongs the honor of originating the two hundred thousand dollar fund for encour- aging factories to locate in this city, and his firm subscribed ten thousand dollars to the amount. All of his varied business interests he has handled with skill and fidelity, and the splendid success which has attended his efforts is but a merited reward.
On the Ist of January, 1885, Mr. Heath was united in marriage to Laura Bennett, a daughter of William Bennett, the largest land owner in Delaware county, and they have one son, Bennett.
R. A. BUNCH, M. D. An honored resident of Muncie during the past eighteen years, Dr. Bunch in that time has won distinction as a medical practitioner, and enjoys an extensive and remunerative practice. His birth occurred in Portland, Indiana, October 28, 1852, and after completing his education in its public schools he entered Liber College, at College Corners, two miles south of Portland, where he studied under Professors Tucker, Burns and Jones. With this excellent educational training to fit him for life's activities he entered the teacher's profession, thus continuing for eight years in Jay county. In 1870 he began the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Drs. Gillan and Allen, of Portland, and in 1881 he com- pleted the course and graduated from the E. M. I. Institute, of Cincinnati. He was then able to enter the field as a medical practitioner, and for a time practiced in Geneva, thence going to Portland and later to Desoto, Indiana. It was in 1889 that he came to Muncie, where he has won success as a general medical practitioner. He is progressive in his methods, constantly reading
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and studying, ind thus keeps in close touch with the spirit of the times. His membership with many of the H iding medical societies also enables him to keep fully abreast of the many new discoveries which are constantly being made in the science of medici 2. He is a member of the State and National Eclectic Medical Society, Wwwing served as president of the former for two terms, and is an honcary member of the Ohio State Eclectic Medical Society.
In April, 1877. Dr Bunch married Mary A. Bair, whose death oc- curred on the 9th of June, 1906, leaving four children. The eldest, Rollin H., is a graduate of the American College of Physicians and Surgeons of Chicago, and is now associated with his father in practice. The second son, Fred L., is also a graduate of that institution, and will soon join his father and brother in the zedical profession. Morrell Mckenzie will enter college in September of the present year, 1907, to pursue the study of medicine. The only daughter, Bessie G., is the wife of Walker J. Lotz, the well known attorney of Muncie.
On June 12, 1907. Dr. Bunchi was united in marriage with Miss Beulah L. Batey, of this city. They reside at 221 West Jackson street, Muncie. Dr. Bunch has offices at 215 South Mulberry street.
J. D. MILTENBERGER. One of the younger representatives of the busi- ness interests of Muncie, J. D. Miltenberger enjoys an enviable position. He is a leading real estate dealer and has that keen discrimination and sagacity in business affairs which, when combined with energy and industry, lead to success. He was born in Franklin, Ohio, March 12, 1876, a son of George W. and Permelia (Dearth) Miltenberger, both also natives of the Buckeye state. They came to Muncie many years ago and have long been numbered among its representative citizens.
J. D. Miltenberger, their son, is of German and English descent. After completing his education in the Franklin high school he spent eight years as the publisher of the Franklin News, and on the expiration of that period, in 1902, he came to Muncie and entered the real estate business with Jere Garrard, as a member of the firm of Jere Garrard & Company, while in 1904 J. H. Leffler was admitted to a partnership, the firm name then becom- ing Garrard, Miltenberger & Leffler. In 1906 Mr. Garrard withdrew from the firm, since which time the business has been conducted under the firm name of Miltenberger & Leffler. They have been very successful in their ventures, handling large real estate transactions, and in the receivership, trusteeship and settlement of estates they have been unusually successful in the courts of the district. They are located in suite 106, ground floor of the Vatet block.
In 1897 Mr. Miltenberger was united in marriage to Anna M. Gable, a native of Middletown, Ohio, and a daughter of Lewis Gable. The only child of this marriage, a son, Mark D., was born on the 6th of August, 1900. Mr. Miltenberger belongs to Silver Shield Lodge, K. of P., of which he is
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past chancellor, and the Dramatic Order of the Knights of Khorrasan. He is very prominent in the musical circles of Muncie, being now the musical director in the choir of the First Christian church and a member of the Wysor Grand Opera House Orchestra. He is a young man of energy. enterprise and reliability, and has thus won the confidence as well as a liberal share of the patronage of the public. He has a beautiful home at 231 North Vine street.
J. H. LEFFLER. Many years have passed since the Leffler family be- came identified with the interests of Delaware county, and with the passing years its representatives have taken an active and prominent part in the development of this section of the state, while one of its members, J. H. Leffler, now occupies an enviable position in the business circles of Muncie. being well known in real estate and finance circles. His birth occurred in Delaware county, five miles north of Muncie, June 23, 1862. His father, Philip Leffler, was a native of Darke county, Ohio, but during his infancy his parents established their home in Delaware county, Indiana, where the family has ever since been one of prominence, honored and respected in every class of society. In this county Philip Leffler married Mary Garrard, whose birth occurred within its borders, whither her father, Harvey Garrard, had come from Ohio in a very early day. Both the Leffler and Garrard families were numbered among the earliest pioneers of Delaware county, taking an active part in its subsequent development and aiding in transform- ing its wild lands into rich farms, and in other ways promoting the progress and advancement which made a once wild region the home of a contented, prosperous people. Mr. Leffler still resides on the old homestead in Dela- ware county, but the loving wife and mother has long since gone to the home beyond, her death occurring in 1868.
After completing his education in the common schools near his boy- hood home J. H. Leffler became a student in the Danville normal, where he diligently pursued his studies until he was able to enter the school room as a teacher, following that profession during the winter months and farming in the summers for several years. Removing thence to Albany, he was for eight years engaged in the hardware business, after which he turned his attention to the manufacture of furniture, but a disastrous fire made it necessary for him to close out his business and he came to Muncie, landing in this city without money, friends or position. Beginning again at the very bottom round of the ladder of life, he has mounted step by step until he today ranks among the leading business men of Delaware county, the outcome of the honest reward of labor. His first occupation in this city was in the life insurance business, after which for six years he was deputy county clerk, was next with the Union Traction Company as a real estate and claim adjuster, and in 1904 entered the real estate, loan and fire insurance business as a member of the firm of Miltenberger & Leffler. They transact a large and profitable business and are important factors in the business life
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of Delaware county. Although an active worker in the ranks of the Repub- lican party Mr. Leffler has never sought office, but in 1906 he was elected to the position of clerk of the court, over which his brother is judge. His business career has been crowned with a well merited success, for he has made good use of his opportunities, conducting all business matters care- fully and systematically, and in all his acts displaying an aptitude for suc- cessful management.
On the 23d of June, 1888, Mr. Leffler was married to Nettie A., a daughter of David W. Sloniker, of Delaware county, and they have one child, Lucille, born on the 26th of November, 1896. In his fraternal rela- tions Mr. Leffler is a member of Delaware Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; Welcome Lodge No. 37. K. of P., and of the Red Men. He is a past officer in both the Knights of Pythias and the Red Men lodge. He has membership rela- tions with the Sons of Veterans, his father's services in the Forty-second Indiana during the Civil war entitling him to enter its ranks, and he has served as senior vice commander of the Indiana division of the order.
JEREMIAH GARRARD. For a number of years past Jeremiah Garrard has been prominently identified with the business interests of Muncie, and in this time has become recognized as one of its most valued and useful citizens. His birth occurred in Warren county, Ohio, January 29, 1845, his parents being Harvey and Hannah (Gustin) Garrard, both also natives of that commonwealth. The father, whose birth occurred March 22, 1812, became a citizen of Delaware county, Indiana, on the Ist of April, 1857, establishing his home eight miles north of Muncie. He became prominently identified with the agricultural interests of the county and continued to reside within its borders until his busy and useful life was ended.
Jeremiah Garrard, the youngest son of his parents' eight children, was but a lad at the time of the inauguration of the Civil war, but with the other brave youths of his country he nobly offered his services to his country's cause in January, 1864, becoming a member of Company C, First Indiana Heavy Artillery, with which he served for two years, and on the expiration of that period was mustered out as corporal, having also served as the color bearer of his regiment. His military career was one of arduous service, participating in the battles of Mobile and Spanish Fort, and after the close of the conflict he returned to Delaware county and continued his studies, which had been interrupted by the war. After completing his education in the public schools Mr. Garrard spent two years in farming, and in 1872 embarked in the mercantile business in Royerton, Indiana, where he con- tinued until his return to Muncie in 1880. Since 1890 he has been engaged in the real estate, loan and investment business. He has so directed his efforts that his business interests have grown apace with the progress which dominates the central west, and his extensive business interests in Delaware county make him well known to its citizens.
In 1869 occurred the marriage of Mr. Garrard and Miss Savannah
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Green, shie being a sister of Dr. Green, so well known in Delaware county. In the social circles of the city Mr. Garrard is equally prominent and has membership relations with Welcome Lodge, Knights of Pythias; Energy Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Muncie Lodge No. 433, Free and Accepted Masons; Muncie Tribe of Red Men; and Williams Post, G. A. R. He is also a worthy member of the Christian church.
E. W. BISHOP is the leading insurance dealer of Delaware county. He possesses that keen discrimination and sagacity in business affairs which, when combined with energy and industry, always lead to success, and to him they have brought a handsome competence and have placed him among the leading business men of Muncie. He is a native son of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Worthington on the first of March, 1847, his parents being William and Charlotte ( Wolcott) Bishop, the former a native of Poughkeepsie, New York, born in 1802, and the latter in Ohio. In 1818 the father left the Empire state for Ohio, where for a time he was engaged in agricultural pursuits, and then turned his attention to the harness and saddlery business, his life's labors being ended in death in 1871.
When but fifteen years of age E. W. Bishop offered his services to his country in her hour of need, joining in 1862 the One Hundred and Thir- teenth Ohio Regiment, Company C, and his military career covered a period of three years, for he was honorably discharged in 1865 on account of dis- ability. Although but a lad he was a brave and loyal soldier, and he now maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades of the blue by his merber ship in Williams Post, of which he is a past commander. After return- ing from the army Mr. Bishop attended school for one year, and then engaged in mercantile business for two years. It was in 1866 that he came to Muncie, and during the first six months here was engaged in railroad service, after which he went to Winchester and served as the company's agent there for eleven years. Returning to Muncie in 1881, he was in the employ of the Big Four and the Lake Erie & Western railroads as agent until 1890, when he turned his attention to the insurance business, representing many of the well known and reliable companies, and success has attended his well directed efforts. He is energetic, enterprising and reliable, and has the confidence as well as a liberal share of the patronage of the public.
In 1869 Mr. Bishop was united in marriage to Elsa Dana, of Fostoria, Ohio, where her father, Dr. Dana, was a well known physician for many years. Three children have been born to them, Erville D., deceased ; Marcus S., who is associated with his father in the insurance business; and Charlotte, the wife of D. M. Edgerley, of Omaha, Nebraska. Mr. Bishop is connected with the Masonic order, being a member of its chapter and commandery, in which he has filled all the chairs in both orders, and exemplifies in his daily life the beneficent spirit of the craft. He is also a worthy member of the Presbyterian church, and is a Republican in his political affiliations. Nearly
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his entire life has been spent in Muncie and he is well known among her citizens and is held in uniform regard.
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