USA > Indiana > Clark County > Baird's history of Clark County, Indiana > Part 13
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BAIRD'S HISTORY OF CLARK CO., IND.
George M. Rickard completed a course in the public schools and then entered Borden College, graduating therefrom in 1900. While attending this institution he worked during his spare time in order to obtain funds to pay his expenses. Immediately after leaving college he took up the profes- sion of teacher. He first taught the school at Nabb, Indiana, and later spent two years as a teacher in the schools of Jeffersonville township. He then be- came principal of the Port Fulton schools, has occupied that position for five years.
Mr. Rickard was married to Myra M. Grant, June 10, 1906, at Louis- ville, Kentucky. She is the daughter of Charles and Matilda Grant. Mr. and Mrs. Rickard are regular attendants at the Baptist church, and the former is an active worker in the cause of Democracy, although he has never held nor asked for any political offices. Mr. Rickard is a member of the Odd Fel- lows and the Knights of Pythias lodges.
CAPT. WILLIAM F. CISCO.
The career of Mr. Cisco has been marked by more thrilling experiences and narrow escapes from death than are crowded into the life of the average man, and the reputation of being one of the most courageous citizens of Southern Indiana is deservedly his. His occupations have been varied, but he can look back upon the days when he was serving the people of his municipality as an officer of the law at the most strenuous period in his exist- ence. When he assumed the duties devolving upon the head of the police de- partment crime was rampant in this community, there being a perfect epi- demic of burglaries and robberies. In fact the conditions existing at that time might well have been likened unto a veritable reign of terror, but the advent of the subject into the office of Superintendent of Police signalized the beginning of the end of the operations of one of the worst gang of marauders that ever plied their nefarious vocation in the southern part of the state.
William F. Cisco was born in Boone county, Kentucky, in 1860, being the son of Francis and Elizabeth (Hedges) Cisco. Francis Cisco was the son of Hiram Cisco, who came from France to this country, and first settled in California, but later moved to Ohio. The name of his family was originally Francisco. The father of William F. is dead, but his mother still lives in Jef- fersonville, his parents having come to this place when he was six years of age. He attended the public schools and showing a great aptitude for the absorption of knowledge graduated at quite an early age. Immediately after leaving school he accepted employment in a clerical capacity in the general store of John Bentel, remaining here until he had attained his twenty-second
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year. In 1889 he accepted a municipal appointment, being superintendent of pumps and wells in Jeffersonville. He held this position until the year of 1893, when he was made Chief of Police by a board that had been appointed by Governor Matthews, and it was in this capacity that he made a most en- viable record, very early in his tenure of office demonstrating that he was a man absolutely without fear. When the foul murder of Stephen Gehr shocked an outraged community Captain Cisco declared that he would apprehend the negro who committed the brutal crime, and that it was no idle boast was evidenced by after events. There were ominous threats of lynching, but in order to prevent this blot from falling upon the good name of the community the fearless official placed his prisoner behind the bars of the state prison, where the would-be avengers of the negro's victim could not reach him. Among his other notable feats while directing the affairs of the police depart- ment was the capture of Gray and Gaynor, who killed a druggist at Reels- ville, Indiana, and as a token of their appreciation of his success the authori- ties bestowed upon him a reward of goodly proportions. One of the many occasions when Captain Cisco showed his absolute fearlessness was when he prevented a prospective prize fight despite the fact that a mob of eight hun- dred men were at the ring side, who threatened the lives of him and Sheriff Davis. Later on he completely broke up an organized gang of thieves who were looting stores throughout the city, their leader a man named Chapman, alias Blackburn, subsequently sawing his way out of the Clark county jail.
At the conclusion of his term as Chief of Police Captain Cisco engaged in several different lines of business.
William F. Cisco was married to Lena Friend, daughter of Leonard and Elizabeth Friend. Three children were the fruits of this union: William B., Walter L., and Lila Margaret, the latter being the wife of LeRoy J. Hanna, traffic agent of the Indianapolis and Louisville line. Captain Cisco has always been an admirer of blooded horses, and for a long time had a number of fine racing equines; but recently disposed of them.
He is vice-president of the Knights and Ladies of Washington, in Ken- tucky, is a member in high standing of the Eagles, Red Men and Knights and Ladies of Honor. . Captain Cisco has the respect and the confidence of the best people of Jeffersonville.
PETER CAMPBELL DONALDSON.
Although a young man, heavy responsibilities rest upon the shoulders of Peter C. Donaldson, but that he is eminently able to discharge them to the entire satisfaction of his superiors is attested by the great length of his service
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with the corporation which he represents. He is conversant with the minute details of the transportation business, possesses an active mind, rare good judgment, and the ability to solve any intricate problem that may arise in connection with the affairs of which he has charge. He embarked upon a business career before he had crossed the threshold of manhood, and his ex- cellent qualifications for the position that he now occupies soon manifested themselves.
Peter C. Donaldson was born at Brownsville, Pennsylvania, June 15, 1879, his parents being Peter and Eliza Ford (Campbell) Donaldson. He was educated in the public schools of the place of his birth, and graduated with honor. At the age of twenty he went to Pittsburg and secured a posi- tion with a coal company, being connected with the transportation depart- ment. He came to Jeffersonville January 1, 1904, as the representative of the People's Coal Company, one of the largest concerns of the kind in Pittsburg. He has charge of what is known as the coal fleet, composed of a large number of great barges, on which coal is conveyed from Pittsburg into the Jeffer- sonville district. At the last named point the cargo of these barges is held for distribution to the dealers of the Falls cities. They have an average capacity of about eighteen car loads.
Mr. Donaldson is in close touch with the business community of Jeffer- sonville, and is regarded as a man of ability beyond his years. He takes a deep interest in both the business and social affairs of Jeffersonville, and has the happy faculty of making friends very readily, which largely accounts for his great popularity. He is a member of the Elks lodge. He lives in a com- modious brick residence overlooking the Ohio river.
WILLIAM A. DAVIS.
Bereft of a father, who sacrificed his life in the service of his country in the Civil war, Mr. Davis, when he had barely entered his teens, practically began the struggle of life, being compelled to contribute to the support of his widowed mother, and the three other children, younger than himself. Working hard by day he attended school at night, pursuing a course in book- keeping, paying his tuition from his pitifully small earnings. 'He was ambi- tious to rise from the depths, and this spurred him on to his best efforts. De- spite the handicap of poverty and its attendant hardships and privations, he pushed bravely on, and the end of his course of study found him as well equipped from an educational standpoint as the average lad of that day. .
William A. Davis was born January 25, 1859, at New Market, Clark county, Indiana, being the son of E. I. Davis, who was lieutenant of the
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Eleventh Cavalry, Seventy-seventh Regiment, Indiana Volunteers, commis- sioned by Governor Morton. In 1863, while in the service he died of typhoid fever, leaving a wife and four children, three boys and a girl. Since attain- ing his majority the subject has been an active worker in the interest of the Democratic party, and that political organization has honored him with sev- eral offices. He is at the present time vice-chairman of the County Central Committee. He was a member of the Jeffersonville City Council for four years, representing the Fifth ward, and after that he served as trustee of Jef- fersonville township. In the year of 1892 he was nominated for Sheriff of Clark county by the Democrats, and elected the following fall by over six hundred plurality. An event followed his induction into office which dem- onstrated beyond all question that he was a courageous official, with a de- termination to carry out the obligations of his oath, and enforce the statutes of Indiana without fear or favor. The information came to him that a prize fight, arranged by New Albany men, was to occur on the county line, and accompanied by Captain Cisco, then Chief of Police, he went to the place where the fight was to take place. This was on August 29, 1893, and when the two officers reached their destination they found a gathering of about eight hundred men, who declared that they would not permit of any official interference with the principals. Although they were surrounded by a threat- ening mob, some of whom were desperadoes, many of them under the in- fluence of liquor, the officers showed not the slightest fear. They were the objects of curses and threats, but with revolvers in their hands they stood their ground, and when the members of the crowd saw that they were de- termined to uphold the law at any cost they changed their methods and held out inducements in the shape of bribes. These offers not having the desired effect they again resorted to abuse and threats, but finally the determined at- titude of Sheriff Davis and his companion caused them to depart. Mr. Davis was also largely instrumental in ferreting out the slayers of Stephen Gier, and received much praise for his work on that celebrated murder case. After his term as Sheriff had expired Mr. Davis was named as the president of the Jeffersonville school board, serving in that capacity for nine years.
What is known as the Spring Hill school stands as a monument to the efforts of Mr. Davis. It was through his urgency and persistency mainly that this school was built. It is a modern structure, and considered one of the finest educational institutions in the southern part of the state.
In 1889 William Davis and Florence Dunn were united in marriage. Mrs. Davis was the daughter of Jonathan Dunn, of Utica township. Four children were born to them, two girls and two boys, namely: Alta, Lucy, Elmer and Edmund. The subject is a member and trustee of the First Chris- tian church, and belongs to the Elks, Knights of Pythias, and the Modern Woodmen of America. At the present time he is engaged in the business
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of a contracting painter. When in the City Council he was always to be found on the side of any enterprise that had for its object the benefit of the interests of the people whom he represented. It was while he was in this body that the water works was built, and the electric light plant installed.
JOHN C. LEPPERT.
An adept at the trade that his father followed before him, John C. Leppert has, despite the sharp competition in his particular line in Jefferson- . ville, built up a patronage that brings in no mean financial returns, and it may be truthfully said of him that he is on the high road to prosperity. Mr. Leppert is a quiet, unassuming man of frugal habits, with a great love and devotion for his home and family. Although not a native of Jeffersonville, he has been engaged in the barber business in this city for a number of years. His establishment is modern in every respect, and this fact in connection with the surety of first class workmanship has been the means of insuring to him a liberal patronage from the best class of citizens.
Mr. Leppert first saw the light in Perry county, Indiana, October 31, 1865. His parents were John and Maria (Gartner) Leppert, and both of them were natives of Germany. When John C. was but nine years of age his parents removed from Perry county to Louisville, Kentucky, where his father engaged in the business of a barber. Very early in life the son went to work in the shop, and before he had reached his majority .was complete master of the trade. On October 13, 1891, he married Clara L. Yester, of Claysburg. The father of Mrs. Leppert was born in Baden, Germany, in 1840, and came to this country in 1852, settling in New Albany, Indiana. Ten years later he married Wilhelmina Oehms, and they removed to Clays- burg. There were born to them nine children, as follows: Mrs. Anna Mor- gan, William Yester, Mrs. Emma Bellis, Mrs. Minnie Robbins, George Yes- ter, Mrs. Olive Whitlow, Mrs. Augusta Carr, Charles Yester, and Mrs. John C. Leppert.
Mr. Leppert is looked upon as a fixture in Jeffersonville, his shop being one of the oldest in the city and situated in the very heart of the business district. Being within easy access of their establishments it is patronized very liberally by men engaged in mercantile pursuits. Mr. and Mrs. Leppert and two sons, Carl and Clarence, live at the modest, but pretty residence of his father-in-law, Mr. Yester, in Claysburg, which is a suburb of Jeffersonville. He is a member of but one secret order, Myrtle Lodge, No. 9, Knights of Pythias. Mr. Leppert does not take part in affairs of a political nature, but is public-spirited and has the best interests of Jeffersonville at heart.
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BAIRD'S HISTORY OF CLARK CO., IND.
JAMES MARRA.
With a reputation for fair dealing in all of his business transactions James Marra naturally occupies a high place in the mercantile circles of Jef- fersonville, and the history of his career is illustrative of the fact that an honorable life is not without its reward. Behind these attributes coupled with a keen knowledge of human nature, and the ability to read it in all its varied forms and phases, lies the secret of his succcess. Few men have ap- plied more closely to their business the injunctions of the Golden Rule, and that their application thereto has been a source of benefit to Mr. Marra is shown by the liberal patronage that is accored him. He began the business of a grocer in an unostentatious manner, and from a small store it has de- veloped into one of the largest establishments of the kind In the city, count- ing among its patrons some of the best people in Jeffersonville.
James Marra, the son of Michael and Mary B. Marra, was born in Jef- fersonville, Indiana, in 1875. His parents were both natives of Tipperary, Ireland. He spent his boyhood in the public schools of Jeffersonville, and after completing his education secured employment in a grocery, where he clerked for nine years, mastering every detail of the business. Being of a frugal dis- position he saved his money, and in 1896 opened a store for himself at Watts and Crut avenue. His patronage grew beyound his fondest hopes, and he was soon able to greatly increase his stock. He kept in close touch with the market, and regulated his prices accordingly. He is a careful buyer, and refuses to handle any but first class goods, hence at the end of a dozen years as a purveyor to the wants of the public he finds himself on the high wave of prosperity with bright promises for the future.
Mr. Marra is a devout Catholic, and interests himself greatly in the affairs of the church, being one of the trustees of St. Augustine, and is a mem- ber of the Jeffersonville Council of the Knights of Columbus. He is an un- married man.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN STALKER, M. D.
Clark county boasts of no finer family than the Stalkers, who have been identified ,with its interests for over thirty-five years. George Stalker, the emigrant ancestor, came from Scotland as far back as the middle of the eight- eenth century, and settled in North Carolina, when that state was still a colony of Great Britain. He left a son named Eli, who removed from the old North state and became a pioneer of Southern Indiana Territory about 1808. He first located in Clark county, but two years later went to Wash- ington county, where, he entered government land. He married Parthenia,
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daughter of Simon and Elizabeth Carress, reared a family while going through the hardships incident to life in the wilderness and in the course of nature was gathered to his fathers at a ripe old age. His son, Benjamin F. Stalker, was born on the farm near Salem, Washington county, Indiana, December 16, 1845. His experience was that of all boys whose lot was cast in the agricultural regions of the West during the pioneer period. Hard work on the farm as long as daylight lasted in the summer and fall, endless chores around the house and barn evenings and mornings, with brief terms of school attendance in winter, when the weather was bad-such was the experience of millions of western boys, including the one who was destined in later life to become Doctor Stalker. He had entered his seventeenth year in 1863, and being full of patriotic ardor, determined to join the great army at the front that was fighting the battle of freedom. His first enlistment was with the One Hundred Seventeenth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and the second in the Fifth Indiana Cavalry. He saw service during the fall and winter campaigns in Tennessee during the years of 1863-4 and participated in the sharp engagements at Bean Station, Walker's Ford, Strawberry Plains, and other conflicts that occurred between the contending forces for supremacy in East Tennessee. After the war he attended school at Salem, under Pro- fessor James G. May, and the high school at Bedford, of which his brother, John M. Stalker, was a professor. After teaching school for five years he entered the medical department of the Louisville University in 1871, and two years later obtained his degree. Doctor Stalker, armed with his "sheep skin" and full of hope and ambition determined to try his fortunes in the promising town of Borden and during the summer of 1873 hung out his shin- gle at that place. He prospered from the beginning and soon became one of the prominent men of his community. From 1900 to 1904 he served as Trus- tee of the township and in the latter year was a candidate for the Legislature on the Republican ticket, but was defeated. Doctor Stalker is a member of the New Providence Lodge, 237, Free and Accepted Masons, and his reli- gious affiliations are with the Baptist church. He is one of the best known and most popular of the county's physicians.
On December 25, 1872, he married Frances C. Norris, daughter of Thomas B. and Hannah ( Peoples) Norris. The former was for many years a prosperous farmer near Salem, and long held the office of Justice of the Peace. He was of an old pioneer family in that locality. To the doctor and wife these children have been born: the oldest daughter, Isadene, died in 1907; the others are James B., Charles H. and John M., all members of the medical profession. James Bodine Stalker graduated in the medical de- partment of the University of Louisville; Charles Homer and John Morton Stalker both graduated from the Hospital Medical College at Louisville. Dr. J. B. and Dr. Charles H. are practicing with their father at Borden,
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Indiana, and in the surrounding country, while John M. is engaged in practice at the Pope Sanitorium in Louisville. All these are young men of good pro- fessional attainments and of the highest character as citizens.
LEWIS E. RICHARDS.
Among the younger generation in Indiana educational circles few give brighter promise of future usefulness than the modest and studious Professor Richards, who is descended from a remarkably virile ancestry, whose line is seldom equalled for longevity, strength of constitution and vigor to meet all the duties of life. His grandfather was Henry Richards, a ploneer "cir- cuit riding" Baptist preacher, widely known in Southern Indiana and North- ern Kentucky, as Elder Richards. He left eight sons and a daughter, all of whom are still living, the youngest being sixty-five, and the oldest ninety- five years of age, which is a circumstance perhaps unparalleled in any family of equal numbers. Three of these brothers served as oldiers during the Civil war and came through the ordeal entirely unscathed. Isaac Richards, the youngest of this interesting family, married Rebecca A., daughter of Jonathan Lyons, who came from Marietta, Ohio, in 1837 and settled in Grant county, Indiana, and there carried on his trade as a miller.
Lewis E. Richards, a son by this union, was born at Matthews, Grant county, Indiana, March 9, 1874. He grew up on his father's farm, went at an early age as a student in Fairmount Academy and completed his education at DePauw University. He was graduated there in the spring of 1902 and in the fall of the same year he took charge of the science department in Fairmount Academy. During the summer he had done post-graduate work at the university and when he finished was well equipped for his future edu- cational career. He remained at Fairmount until March, 1904, when he resigned to take charge as professor of chemistry and physics in the high school at Jeffersonville. He has since retained this position and given en- tire satisfaction to his class, his patrons and the higher officials of the city's educational department.
On December 24, 1904, Professor Richards was married to Rose May, daughter of Rev. Henry and Caroline Watson. Mrs. Richard's father was long a Methodist minister, serving at various places, according to the itiner- ant system of that denomination and was well known in Northern Indiana. At the time of his death, in 1889, he was pastor in charge of the Methodist Episcopal church at Wabash, Indiana. The maiden name of his wife was Caroline Crow, and she was connected with one of the old time families who took part in rescuing Indiana from the primeval wilderness. Mr. and Mrs.
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Richards have three children, Blyth W., Celestine Hope and Louverne Caro- line. The family are members of the Wall Street Methodist church, are quite popular in their social circles and are welcome guests at the houses of the best people in the city. Personally Professor Richards easily makes friends, either professionally or socially. Studious by nature he is very fond of his books, especially those having a bearing on the department of education in which he is engaged. He has all the qualifications of a natural born edu- cator and an ambition for success in the educational world, which his friends predict is sure to follow his studious habits and steady application to his duties.
SAMUEL MCKINLEY.
The name of Mckinley has of late years assumed something of a historic significance in this land of ours for it is linked in the public memory with the remembrance of a martyred President. It is but fitting that this should be so. And yet the family name and traditions go back beyond that tower- ing figure of recent years, across the Atlantic and across the centuries, to find an ancestor of distinction and merit. The first to emerge out of the twi- light of tradition with a definite record is the figure of a Scotch Covenanter, who, when the vicissitudes of the times made it necessary for him, went from his native land across to Ireland; thence in after years to the United States. Two of his sons, David and James McKinley, settled in Shelby county, Ken- tucky, and came in after years to the spot in Clark county, Indiana, where Borden now stands. David shortly after went northward to South Bend, and thence to Canton, Ohio, while James remained and made Wood township his future home. David McKinley, as may be surmised, was the great-grand- father of President Mckinley. James Mckinley reared six sons; James, John, Thomas, William, Jeremiah and Alexander. The first named son, James, was the father of the subject of our sketch. James married Jincy Packwood, a native of Virginia, the daughter of Samuel Packwood. Sam- uel Mckinley had eleven children, of whom nine are yet living. They are: Edward, Fred, Charles, and Albert Mckinley, and Mrs. Kate Minton, Mrs. Blanch Bell, Mrs. Lillie Bere, Mrs. Nettie Byerly, and Julia Mckinley, all liv- ing in Borden with the exception of the three married sisters. Mrs. Kate Minton lives in Georgetown, Floyd county ; Mrs. Blanche Bell lives in Jef- fersonville, and the other married sisters in Louisville.
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