USA > Indiana > Clark County > Baird's history of Clark County, Indiana > Part 19
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Charles F. Fox received his early education in Clark county and later was graduated from the State Normal School at Terre Haute. For a period of thirty-six years he has devoted his life to educational work, being at this time one of the oldest teachers in active service in Clark county. He has held many important positions at different places and is now principal of the Rose Hill schools, one of the ward schools of Jeffersonville.
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The maiden name of Mrs. Charles F. Fox was Mary P. Taylor. She is a daughter of Phineas and Mary J. (Allen) Taylor, and was born and reared in Clark county, being a descendant on the maternal side from a brother of Ethan Allen, of Revolutionary fame. Her great-grandfather on the maternal side of the family was Isaac McBride, who distinguished himself in the early border warfare and was a member of the expedition under General George Rogers Clark, when that intrepid commander passed through this part of In- diana on his way to capture the British stations of Kaskaskia and Vincennes and conquer an empire for the American cause. For services rendered dur- ing this and other expeditions he was subsequently awarded a large grant of land near the present town of Henryville, Clark county, and it is on this land that his remains were interred,
Wilmer T. Fox, whose birth occurred in Jeffersonville, spent his early life pretty much after the manner of the majority of city lads, entering the public schools at the proper age. He made commendable progress in his studies, completing the high school course on May 25, 1899, and on May Ist of the year 1900 he was graduated from the Spencerian Business College in Louis- ville, following which he was employed for three years as bookkeeper in that city. Having early manifested a decided taste for the legal profession, he be- gan the study of the same in October, 1903, becoming a student of the In- diana Law School at Indianapolis, from which institution he was graduated May 24, 1905, and on August Ist of the same year he began the practice of his profession in Jeffersonville, where in due time he built up a large and lu- crative practice.
Mr. Fox brought to his chosen calling a well disciplined mind and it was not long until he won recognition as a capable and painstaking lawyer, whose thorough professional training and ability and tact as a practioner caused his service to be much sought after by litigants.
On September 4, 1906, he was appointed City Attorney of Jeffersonville, the duties of which responsible position he has since discharged with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the municipality.
Among his professional brethren Mr. Fox is held in the highest esteem and having the confidence of the public and the most loyal friendship of the many with whom he is accustomed to associate, it is not strange that his career thus far presents a series of continued successes, or that his future ap- pears bright with promise. In his political affiliations he is a Republican and as such has rendered valuable services to his party in both city and country. He enjoys great personal popularity with the people irrespective of party alignment, many of his warmest friends and admirers holding views directly opposite to those he entertains.
Mr. Fox keeps in close touch with the trend of modern thought. He holds membership with the First Presbyterian church of Jeffersonville, is a
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ruling elder of the congregation and active in all lines of religion and be- nevolent work under its auspices, besides being influential in various move- ments and enterprises for the social advancement and moral welfare of the city. He is president of the Associated Charities of Jeffersonville and is also president and was the organizer of the Gentlemen's Literary Club, established in the year 1906, and since that time has been one of its most influential and active members, being untiring in his efforts to arouse and maintain an in- terest in the organization and make it answer the purpose for which intended.
While prosecuting his legal studies in Indianapolis Mr. Fox spent a part of his time as clerk to Judge Gillett of the Supreme Court and while thus engaged acquired a practical experience of great value to him in the subse- quent practice of his profession.
Mr. Fox is a married man, his wife having formerly been Mary S. Mc- Killip, of Charlestown, the ceremony by which they were united in the bonds of wedlock having been solemnized on the 24th day of October, 1907. Mrs. Fox is the only daughter of Mrs. Annie (Ford) McKillip and the late Rev. M. E. McKillip, and is a descendant of the best Southern families. She is a talented musician and a woman of personal charm.
GEORGE W. MARTIN.
Indiana was a territory of rough experiences and many dangers when the Martin family first settled here. The first arrivals were Jesse Martin and wife, who came from near Jamestown, Virginia, and settled in Washington county, when the Indians were still plentiful and occasionally hostile. A tradi- tion is handed down to the effect that Jesse Martin, son of the above men- tioned member of this family, was shot by an Indian, who, after friendly conditions prevailed came to the white settlement to see how badly his victim had been hurt. Manoah Martin, son of the elder Jesse, married Sarah Ann, daughter of George Wood, said to have been the first white settler in Wood township.
George W. Martin, one of the children by this union, was born in Wash- ington county, Indiana, in 1847. In 1852 his parents removed to the old Hale farm in Clark county, a mile south of Borden. Here he remained until he reached manhood, meantime attending the local schools and completing his education by taking a commercial course at Hartsville College, in Bartholomew county. After leaving college Mr. Martin engaged in the manufacture of barrel staves, which he disposed of in 1882 to T. S. Carter. Later, for a num- ber of years, he operated a spoke factory, saw, planing and flour mills on an extensive scale, which were burned in 1904, consuming twelve thousand
G. W. MARTIN.
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dollars' worth of property, but he rebuilt and in 1906 sold to a corpora- tion known as the Martin Milling Company, and is at present conducted by the Durham Tile & Lumber Company. In 1905 he established a general mer- chandise business at Borden, which he continues to conduct successfully, being altogether a very busy as well as prosperous man of affairs. He owns five fruit farms, one of which he manages in person and resides in a pleasant home at Borden, being regarded by his wide circle of acquaintances as a substantial and reliable citizen. He has for many years been a member of the Christian church, known as the Church of Christ.
In 1872 Mr. Martin married Belle, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Huston, natives of Wood township. Mrs. Huston was a Miss Hallet before her marriage and her family lived near Utica, in Clark county. Of Mr. and Mrs. Martin's seven children only three are living. James Norman Martin, known by his friends as "Tay," has charge of a portable saw mill, which does a good business. He married Linnie Potts, a native of Wood township, and they have four children, James, John, Belle and Edward. Mr. Martin's two other living children are Georgia and Ralph Waldo. The entire family stand well among the industrious and prosperous citizens of Clark county, who in various lines of productive business have contributed to the growth and wealth of the community in which they live. Mr. Martin has been successful as a regular farmer, a fruit grower, a mill man and a manufacturer, giving em- ployment to many men and enjoying the esteem of all as a fair manager who treats his employes with kindness and justice. His home is a place of meeting for many friends and all are treated with liberal and unostentatious hospitality.
GEORGE REMINGTON CLARKE.
It was many years ago that a young Englishman left his native land to seek his fortunes in the countries beyond the sea. Joseph Clarke, like most of the people of Great Britain, was much attached to the laws and institutions to which he had become accustomed and naturally gravitated towards a colony of "Old England" where the customs are much the same as those of the Fatherland. Directing his footsteps toward Ohio, there he met and married Claramond Shaw, a young woman of good family, whose native state was Ohio. George Remington Clarke, a son by this union, was born at London, Ontario, July 4, 1861. His father becoming dissatisfied with the outlook in Canada determined to look for betterment in some section of this great re- public. With this end in view he gathered together his household goods and with his little family crossed lake Ontario and took passage for the distant state of Indiana. This was in 1865, when George Remington was about four
38
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years old, and at this time his parents settled in Jeffersonville to make that city their home. George was sent at an early age to what was then known as the "Old Blue" school, well known as a part of the city's educational system. He remained in school, finishing the first year in the high school. His first venture in a business way was in a minor position at the office of the Howard Ship Yards. This he retained about one year and a half, when in April, 1879, he went with his brother-in-law, A. A. Swartz, the well known drygoods mer- chant on Spring street. This proved to be his life work, as he has remained in this mercantile establishment ever since, rising by gradual promotions until he has become a member of the firm, the old firm being changed to the Swartz Drygoods Company. Mr. Clarke developed a taste for politics in early man- hood and attached himself to the Republican party and has taken an active interest in all the local campaigns. That he stands well in his political organ= ization is proved by the fact that he was selected under Governor Mount as Republican member of the Board of Police Commissioners at Jeffersonville. He served satisfactorily and is esteemed as one of the local leaders, whose ad- vice is worth listening to and whose work is valuable in helping the organiza- tion. He has long been a worker in religious circles and interested in the vari- ous charities, educational enterprises and missionary movements of his church. He is popular in all lines in which he has figured, being especially esteemed as a courteous and progressive business man. His address is agreeable, his manner affable and he has the faculty of making and holding friends.
On September 18, 1884, Mr. Clarke was married to Mildred, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Winesburg, of Jeffersonville. Allen Winesburg Clarke is the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Clark. He is at present employed with the American Car & Foundry Company, of St. Louis. The family are members of the Presbyterian church, in which Mr. Clarke has served as deacon for ten years, or more. He ranks as a model citizen, a good neighbor, good friend and a public-spirited man, who is always ready to help any cause which prom- ises to aid in the development of the city.
JOSEPH E. BOTTORFF.
A native son of Indiana, a representative of one of its prominent large pioneer families, and one who has been for many years identified with the industrial and material development of Clark county, a well known factor in the progress of this favored section of the commonwealth, is the gentleman whose life-history is herewith briefly outlined.
Joseph E. Bottorff was born in Harrison county, Indiana, in 1864, the son of Jacob S. and Matilda (LaDuke) Bottorff, the father a native of Clark
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county and the son of Louis Bottorff, both influential members of this old and well established Clark county family, and in many ways the subject evinces praiseworthy characteristics of his ancestors. He grew up in Eliza- beth, Indiana, where he attended the public schools and laid the foundation for a good education. Early deciding to devote his life to the mercantile profes- sion he came to Jeffersonville, in 1881, and entered the employ of Dennis Murphy, owner of a drygoods store on Spring street. Mr Bottorff gave evi- dence from the first that he possessed innate ability in the management of a concern like that of Mr. Murphy's and he made such rapid strides that he was enabled to buy out his employer in 1886, Mr. Murphy having been compelled by failing health to give up the business. Although then only about twenty- one years old, our subject assumed management of this store with ease and assurance, continuing to extend the trade of the same with most gratifying results. About 1904 his brother, Edward Bottorff, was taken in as a partner under the firm name of J. E. Bottorff & Company, since which time their trade has continued to increase, owing to the reliability of the managers and the fact that they handle a good grade of merchandise and always strive to give full value received, consequently never fail to please their customers. Their store is neatly kept and is equal to any of its kind in Jeffersonville. (The reader is respectfully referred to biographies of other members of the Bottorff family in this work for a history of the subject's ancestors.
Joseph E. Bottorff is the capable and efficient storekeeper at the quarter- master's department, which position he has held for a period of three years. Fraternally he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of which he has the distinction of being the past exalted ruler and he is a member of the grand lodge. Always abreast of the times Mr. Bottorff is a pleasant man to know and bears a reputation for integrity that is worthy of his ancestors.
CAPT. JOHN R. VAN LIEW.
Capt. John R. Van Liew is the scion of a respected and prosperous family of old Dutch stock and a man who has gained the position he holds today in the civic and business life of Jeffersonville, Clark county. As a militarist of the pronounced type ever since his term of service in the Spanish-American war he has done much to instill enthusiasm for a military calling into the younger citizens of the community.
Mr. Van Liew was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on October 15, 1876. the son of Dennis and Blanche ( Weaver) Van Liew. When he had about reached his fourth year his parents removed to Jeffersonville across the river, and there his education was received, and the greater part of his life, since
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then, spent. Upon leaving school he went into the box manufacturing busi- ness, in which he continued for eight years. In 1893 he began a course of three years' service as sergeant of Company G, First Regiment, Indiana Na- tional Guard. On the 4th of July. 1898, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Sixty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry and was breveted with the rank of first sergeant in Company E, of which Lewis C. Baird, the editor of this work, was captain. He preceded with his company from Indianapolis to Jackson- ville, Florida, thence to Savannah, Georgia, and thence to Havana, Cuba. After seeing four and a half months' active service they returned via Savan- nah, were mustered out April 30, 1899, and returned to Jeffersonville through Washington, D. C. The captain has been successful in building up the National Guard in his district and was captain of Company M, which he organized at Jeffersonville on February 9, 1906, for the period of two years. Since the close of his military career he is looked upon as an authority of im- portance in all things pertaining to army matters.
On his return from participation in the Spanish-American conflict Cap- tain Van Liew was selected as an officer of the Indiana Reformatory, in June, 1899, and in consideration of his services as an officer of that institution was later promoted to the assistant superintendency of the shirt-making depart- ment, which position he still holds.
He was married on July 8, 1902, and selected as his wife, Emma Smith, the daughter of Augustus and Anna Smith, both natives of Louisville, Ken- tucky. Mrs. Van Liew has borne her husband one child, Clarence P. Van Liew.
Captain Van Liew is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, the Modern Woodmen, and the Spanish-American war veterans. He has numerous friends and is known to possess a kind and obliging disposi- tion. He is warmly attached to his family, and has a reputation for trust- worthiness and efficiency in his present sphere of work. At the present time he is no more than thirty-two years of age and, though his record in the past has been of the highest, his familiarity with business affairs are sure to win for him a larger share of recognition as a citizen of worth and probity.
ROBINSON PRATHER BOTTORFF.
There is a large and widely distributed family connection of this name in Clark county and for many years they have been engaged in developing this section. Conspicuous in various walks of life, they are best known as farmers and devotees of the various mechanical arts. They belong to the class of men that the essentially useful, doing those things which the people want done and
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obtaining success by doing them well. While none of the connection have accumulated great wealth, most of them have done well and laid by a compe- tence. It is seldom indeed that a Bottorff is found who is not well-to-do and the name has become synonymous with thrift and industry. Originating in Germany representatives of this family became identified with Indiana at an early day. There has been a large increase by natural growth and inter-mar- riage and at present it ramifies through all parts of Clark county. William H. H. Bottorff, a son of Samuel, owned a farm near Utica for many years, but in 1884 disposed of his property and went to Kansas. One year later he died in the West and in 1888 the family returned to Clark county, locating in Jeffersonville. William H. H. Bottorff married Eliza, daughter of David and Edith (Prather) Grisamore, by whom he had eight sons, David, Nathan, Charles, Ruddle, Robinson P., Myron, Walter and Homer.
Robinson Prather Bottorff was born in Utica township, Clark county,. Indiana, July 27, 1871. He remained on the farm until his parents went to Kansas and after returning secured a position in the car works. After a year in this line he began learning the trade of carriage trimmer, in which he soon became proficient. Two of his brothers also had jobs at the car works in different lines and developed into good mechanics. Myron learned black- smithing and now holds a responsible position with the American Brake Company at St. Louis. He is married and has one son. Walter learned car- riage painting and at preent has charge of the Kentucky Buggy Company at Owensboro. Homer, the youngest of the boys, learned the carriage trimmer's trade under his eldest brother. All four brothers became employes at Jef- fersonville, but in November, 1900, Robinson P. changed employment and took service with Rubell Brothers, carriage makers. In the spring of 1903 Mr. Bottorff, Robert O. Rubell and others organized the Falls City Buggy Top Company in Louisville and have made quite a success of this enterprise. Originally intending only to manufacture buggy tops the extensive use of automobiles suggested an opportunity to branch out in that line and in Janu- ary, 1909, larger quarters were secured to afford room for making tops for autos, which has proved a profitable addition. Most of the stock is now owned by Messrs. Bottorff and Rubell and under their hustling management the busi- ness is increasing rapidly.
On September 3, 1896, Mr. Bottorff was married to Edna, daughter of Joseph and Emma (O'Neill) McPherson, of New Albany. Her father came from Pittsburg. Pennsylvania, but her mother is a native of Floyd county. They have had three children, those living being Iona and Roberta, two un- usually bright girls of whom their parents are justifiably proud. Mr. Bottorff's .. fraternal relations are with the Red Men and Haymakers. He was three times a delegate to the Grand Council of Red Men at Indianapolis, and is one of the most influential and best known workers for the welfare of this popular order.
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OSCAR H. DUFFY.
The family of this name in Clark county are of Scotch ancestry, their forefather's migrating across the English channel and settling in the north of Ireland, where several of the name rose to positions of prominence. A branch of the family emigrated to America about the first decade of the last century and in 1828 Maj. Andrew Duffy removed from there to Indiana, settling at Hanover Landing and became one of the early pioneers of Jefferson county. He dealt extensively in real estate and his grandson has papers in his posses- sion signed by President Madison and James Monroe, when the latter was Secretary of State, Two of Major Duffy's uncles rose to higher rank as statesmen, both living bachelor lives and leaving large estates. Major Duffy was influential in Clark county affairs and served for a while as County Com- missioner. His son, Thomas Duffy, gave additional luster to the family name during his long and useful life. He was born during his father's residence at Hanover Landing, but in childhood was brought to Clark county by his parents, Andrew and Kezziah Duffy, who settled at New Washington. After he reached maturity he engaged in farming for a while, but later removed to Jeffersonville and embarked in the grocery business. He was the first in the city to start a delivery wagon and for many years his establishment was the leading grocery of the county. For a long time he had charge of the poor of the township and established a reputation for charity, often giving out of his own store to relieve distress. During a small pox epidemic it was his duty to take provisions to the patients, which he performed bravely though daily ex- posed to infection. During the Civil war he remained a sturdy Democrat, though it cost something in those days, as men of that political faith were then rare in Southern Indiana. He and Jonas G. Howard voted together when the latter was threatened with violence for expressing his sentiment. While still a resident of New Washington, Thomas Duffy married Jane, daughter of Allen and Rebecca Rogers, and to this union we are indebted for the worthy gentleman who constituted the subject of this sketch.
Oscar H. Duffy was born at Jeffersonville, Indiana, in 1860, and six months later lost his mother by death. Wesley Duffy, an uncle, took charge of the babe and cared for him kindly at his home in Charlestown, until he reached the age of twenty-one. As he grew up he had the benefit of the pub- lic schools and during the intervals engaged in farming. When he became of age he located at Jeffersonville as a guest of his sister and for ten years was manager of a produce house in Louisville. In addition to being the pur- chasing agent and general superintendent of the business he also acted as trav- eling salesman for the firm. At later periods he engaged in various lines of work, being for three years with the T. J. Lindley hardware establishment in Jeffersonville, and the same length of time with the Belknap Hardware &
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Manufacturing Company of Louisville. At present he is shipping clerk for the Indiana Chain Works, a manufacturing company at the Indiana Reforma- tory. Mr. Duffy began life at the foot of the ladder, always had to work his cwn way and rely on his own resources, but he has "made good' and proved a success in every line of business he has undertaken. He is a man of quick sympathies, of a kind and generous nature and enjoys a quiet life in a modest but comfortable cottage where his many friends are always welcome.
On October 25, 1905, Mr. Duffy married Mary Lucy Woodruff, a mem- ber of one of the old families and descendants of the early pioneers. Her father. James Woodruff, was a Virginian and her mother, Sarah Purdue, was a native of Scott county, Indiana. The latter's father was Nathan Purdue, who settled in Charlestown township, Clark county, in the early days and did his share in the hard work and development of pioneer times. Mr. and Mrs. Duffy are members of the Wall Street Methodist Episcopal church and he belongs to. Hoosier Camp, Modern Woodmen of America.
JOHN LOOMIS, M. D.
Few families in American can boast so proud and ancient a lineage as that of the Loomises. As far back as the fifteenth century its members were famous both in England and Continental Europe. They were dissenters and the old records speak of a John Loomis who was burned for heresy at Canterbury, England, in 1856, for standing firmly by his religious con- victions. Another, John Loomis, who was born before 1570, was a man of distinction at Braintree, England. His son, Joseph Loomis, a Puritan, some years after the landing of the Mayflower, came from Braintree to what is now Windsor, Connecticut. Perigrine White, the great-great-grand- mother of Doctor Loomis, was the first white child born at Plymouth, Mas- sachusetts. and the next child was Rebecca White. His grandfather and a number of others of the Loomis family bore a conspicuous part in the American Revolution. The family had a cost-of-arms, which bore devices that stand for loyalty to the king and country, for devoted self-sacrifice and whose motto means, ""Yield not to adversity." The family in the United States, who are descendants from Joseph Loomis, the Puritan pioneer, num- ber over twenty-eight thousand, many of them distinguished as scientists, soldiers, statesmen and members of the learned professions. They have en- dowed a college which stands on ground never owned by anyone but a Loomis since it was acquired by Joseph Loomis, in 1639. At that school any member of the Loomis family. may be educated free of charge. It is a family, taken in its entirety that exemplifies the noble art of "plain living and high think-
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