USA > Indiana > Wayne County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 44
USA > Indiana > Franklin County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 44
USA > Indiana > Union County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 44
USA > Indiana > Fayette County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 44
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61
The education of Mr. Gardner was such as the country schools of his day afforded, supplemented by a course in an academy at Newport (now Fountain City), Indiana. In 1851 he went west as far as the state of Iowa and continued to reside there for a period of nine years. At the expiration
372
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
of four years there, however, he returned to Ohio and married, on the 1 5th of September, 1855, Miss Johanna Vaughan, then of Morrow county, but a native of Columbiana county, Ohio. The young couple lived in Cedar county, Iowa, for some five years, our subject being occupied in farming and carpen- tering. The latter trade he had "picked up " by himself while on the farm. Before leaving the neighborhood of his birthplace he had taught school suc- cessfully, and, while in Iowa, he was similarly occupied for several winters.
In June, 1860, he returned to this county in order to take charge of his father's farm, as the senior man desired to transfer the burden to the sturdy
shoulders of the son. Twenty-seven years rolled by, however, ere the ven- erable man was called to his final rest, he being over ninety-six years old at the time of his death in 1887. He enjoyed excellent health almost to the last, and loved to work in his little tinsmith's shop, which he had built on the farm. The homestead comprises sixty-seven acres, well tiled and improved, and kept in fine condition. Fifteen years ago the owner erected his comfortable dwelling, and from time to time he has remodeled and recon- structed the barns and other farm buildings on the place. In addition to this property he owns another farm of forty acres, situated near the railroad. He has raised a general line of crops, and for some time was extensively engaged in raising hogs.
A peculiar fact in reference to Mr. Gardner and two of his sons is that they represent among them the three leading political parties. Formerly our subject was an ardent Republican and voted last for Blaine, in the presiden- tial election of 1888, but since then he has sided with the Prohibitionists, and has often attended the conventions of the party, frequently as a delegate. Besides being present at state assemblages, he went to Indianapolis and Cin- cinnati, to the national conventions, and has been very active and interested in the success of his party. His eldest son, Allison, who operates the saw- mill at Cottage Grove, in this township, is a strong Republican; and Aaron, the next son, is as influential in the ranks of the Democratic party as is his father in the Prohibition party. Allison married Alberta Albert, daughter of John Albert, and they have three children. Aaron, a farmer, is also engaged in the grain business at Cottage Grove. His wife is Minnie, daugh- ter of Edward Sanford, Jr., and their union is blessed with two children. Lina S. and Herbert, the younger children of our subject, are still living at home.
THOMAS W. ROBERTS.
Richmond's well known and popular contractor and builder has a remarkable record, and from the study of his life history one may learn valu- able lessons. The spirit of self-help is the source of all genuine worth in the individual and is the means of bringing to man success when he has
373
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
no advantages of wealth or influence to aid him. It illustrates in no uncer- tain manner what it is possible to accomplish when perseverance and deter- mination form the keynote to a man's life. Depending on his own resources, looking for no outside aid or support, he rises from comparative obscurity to a place of prominence both in the commercial and industrial world.
Mr. Roberts is numbered among Wayne county's native sons, his birth having occurred on a farm a mile west of Richmond, December 16, 1822. The family is of Welsh descent and was founded in America by the great- grandfather of our subject, Walter Roberts, who when a young man left his home in Wales and crossed the Atlantic to the New World. He settled in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and afterward became one of the pioneers of Butler county, Ohio, his home being near Hamilton. By occupation he was a farmer. Thomas Roberts, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and died in Richmond, Indiana, in 1838, at the age of eighty years. He had come to this city about 1808 and was also an agriculturist, owning a considerable tract of the land upon which the city is now builded. In his religious connections he was a Friend. He mar- ried Miss Ann Whitson, a native of Long Island, and to them were born eight children, five sons and three daughters. The parents of our subject were Solomon W. and Elizabeth (Bond) Roberts. The father was born in South Carolina and with the family came to Wayne county at an early epoch in its pioneer history. He spent the great part of his life in Richmond, but died in Madison county, Indiana, in 1858, at the age of sixty-three years. His made farming his life work and in that pursuit gained a comfortable property. Like the others of this family, he adhered to the religious faith of the Society of Friends, and his life was cast in harmony therewith. In his family were thirteen children and four are yet living, but the greater number died in childhood.
Thomas W. Roberts was reared on his father's farm, west of Richmond, and early became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He aided in the labors of field and meadow, and while not thus engaged attended the schools of the neighborhood. When about seventeen years of age he began learning the carpenter's trade, completing his apprenticeship before attaining his majority. He became an expert workman, which made his services always in demand. In March, 1847, he came to Richmond, and soon afterward began contracting and building on his own account. Since that time he has been prominently connected with the building interests of the city. He soon won the public confidence, by reason of his excellent workmanship and his fidelity to the terms of a contract, and his patronage steadily and rapidly increased. He employed a large force of workmen, and many of the finest buildings of the city stand as monuments
374
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
to his thrift and enterprise, among the number being the Reeves Library. His business integrity and reliability were above question, and his well directed efforts, sound judgment and capable management have brought to him inost gratifying success, so that he is now numbered among Richmond's wealthy citizens.
Mr. Roberts was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda Lough, a native of Wayne township, and they have one son, Charles A., who is now engaged in the painting business in Richmond. Since 1852 Mr. Roberts has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also belongs to the encampment. His wife holds membership in the First Presbyterian church. He has served as a member of the city council and as park commissioner, and is actively interested in all measures tending toward the social, moral, intellectual and material advancement of the city. He withholds his support from no movement for the public good and has largely promoted the general welfare. He is a social and affable gentleman, whose friends are legion, and all honor and esteem him for his many virtues and genuine worth.
HON. JOSEPH W. CONNAWAY.
More than thirty years ago, Joseph White Connaway, the subject of this article, was admitted to the bar, and during this long intervening period he has been actively engaged in practice in Liberty, Union county. For four years he was justice of the peace, and in 1879 he was elected to the Indiana state legislature, from Union and Fayette counties. He received a majority of about four hundred votes over the candidate of the combined forces of the Democrats and Greenbackers. For many years he has been looked upon as a " wheel-horse " in the Republican ranks in this state, and he has done all within his power to promote the welfare of the party in whose hands he believes lies the welfare of the public. Attending all of the important local and state conventions, acting as chairman of the central committee of the county for two years, making speeches and aiding in various ways during presidential campaigns, as he has done, no one can doubt his zeal or efficiency. Not only in Indiana has he given his efforts for the benefit of presidential nominees, for his labors have extended into Ohio, and have been attended with success. When he was a candidate for the state senate he was defeated by one vote.
The parents of our subject were Charles and Maria (White) Connaway, natives of South Carolina and Fayette county, Indiana, respectively. The mother's parents were Joseph and Mary (Heaton) White, early settlers of Fayette county, and originally of Maryland. Joseph White was a cooper by trade, but after coming to this state he gave his chief attention to the culti- vation of his farm, four miles from Connersville. He died there at eighty
375
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
years of age and was survived but three weeks by his wife. Charles Conna- way was eight or ten years old when he came west with his father, James Connaway, and the family resided upon a homestead situated about two miles southwest of Brownsville. James Connaway lived to attain his seventy-fifth year. When eighteen years old Charles Connaway returned to his native state, making the journey on horseback, but he merely went on business and within a few years he had married a Fayette county lady and had settled in Liberty township, on a farm some five miles west of Liberty. He had ten sisters, and his only brother, Zachariah, is still living, at Springville, Indiana. Charles Connaway died at the age of eighty-four years. His first wife, Maria, departed this life when forty-eight years old, and Mr. Connaway afterward married Margaret Brookbank, since deceased. Of his six sons and four daughters all survive but two, and all were born in Union county. John served in the army for three years during the civil war and James McKeen was a soldier for one year.
Joseph White Connaway was born September 8, 1836, in this county, and during his minority he assisted in the care and cultivation of the old homestead. From 1859 to 1861 he was a student in an academy, after which he entered Miami University. One of his fellow students was Staff Officer Scott, now of the United States Navy, who participated in the glorious vic- tory at Manila, May 1, 1898, under Dewey. Another friend and classmate was Miles Johnson, a prominent member of the bar in Cincinnati. Still another classmate was Rev. David Stanton Tappan, the present president of Miami University. Professor Swing, late of Chicago, was instructor in Latin and Greek. Mr. Connaway came to Liberty in the winter of 1864-5 and took charge of the high school here. Having studied law with Jonathan Gardner and T. W. Bennett, he was admitted to the bar in 1866, and at once entered upon a practice which has grown constantly with the passing years. One of his firmest principles has ever been that he would have nothing to do with the liquor traffic, and he has never accepted a case that in the remotest manner favored intemperance. He can truthfully say, what very few men can, that he has never been inside of a saloon. Thirty years ago he joined the Masonic order, in which he stands very high. He is a member of Liberty Lodge, No. 58, and has been master of the same several times, and is the present high priest of Liberty Chapter, No. 42, R. A. M. The last-mentioned position he had occupied previously, and he has been a delegate to the grand lodge and chapter.
On the 8th of April, 1868, Mr. Connaway married Miss Isaleen Crist, daughter of Judge William Crist, who was associate judge of this county, and who died in 1858. In his early life 'he was a successful carpenter and builder, owning several houses and erecting many of the first buildings put
376
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
up in the county. Cass, the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Connaway, is a member of the law firmn of Griffiths & Potts, of Indianapolis; Harry Burton, the next son, is postmaster at Morristown, Indiana; Lura, the eldest daugh- ter, is the wife of Joseph L. Elliott, of Middleton, Ohio; Verla, who is at home, is quite a musician, and is an active worker in the Presbyterian church; Garfield Arthur was born on the day that our loved martyr presi- dent was nominated; and Leah, Carol and Cora, and two who died in infancy,-Stella and Earl,-complete the family. Mrs. Connaway is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
REV. ARTHUR A. CURME.
It gives us great pleasure to be able to present to our readers a sketch of the life of one of whom the state of Indiana may well be proud; one who has filled his daily life with brotherly love and Christian charity, that has been a light guiding many to the better way, while at the same time he has proved himself a financier of no small ability and now stands at the head of the suc- cessful business men of to-day. Such a man is the Rev. Arthur A. Curme, of Richmond, Indiana. Widely known both in business and social circles, his life is well worthy of emulation by the young men of his age who are desirous of winning success and at the same time leaving a name that will be loved and honored.
Mr. Curme is a son of Job and Jane S. (Foote) Curme, and was born September 8, 1835, at Cerne-Abbas, Dorset county, England, came to this country when a lad of eleven years, and even at that tender age took up the problems of life to solve. Firmly impressed with religious convictions, he early became a member of the church and has made the teachings of Christ his guide in all the affairs of life. He was industrious by nature, and his steady adherence to the duty in hand soon placed him in an advantageous position, and his rise has been steady and constant until he represents, as the head of the large drug house of Curme & Company, the typical business man.
Job Curme was born in England, in 1811, and grew to manhood there. In 1834 he was united in marriage with Miss Jane S. Foote, also a native of that country. In 1846 they sailed for America with their family, consisting of Arthur (our subject), Eliza and Amelia. The mother died in Richmond, and the father took a second wife, namely, Miss Mary Horner, now deceased. The father was engaged in the tanning business, both in his native country and that of his adoption, until about 1879, when he purchased a farm near Chester, Wayne county, where he resided until 1895, when he came to Rich- mond, and he now lives with our subject, at the ripe old age of ninety years.
An incident which occurred at the time of their arrival in this country is
377
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
worthy of mention: The family landed at New Orleans in April, 1846, and were to take .a boat to Cincinnati, where they had decided to make their future home. On setting out for the boat the father led the way, first giving a large bundle into the care of Arthur, then about eleven years of age, and expecting him to follow. On arriving at the boat the parents found the steam up and everything in readiness to pull out from the wharf for the voy- age; but what was their consternation to find Arthur missing ! The captain kindly consented to hold the boat for a time until a search was made for the missing boy,-in fact held it for several hours, while the frantic father searched the city. In the meantime, young Arthur, after receiving his bun- dle, started after his father, but was so intent in watching the many strange sights to be seen in the city that he was soon left far behind. Not at all con- cerned at being alone in the large, unknown metropolis, he sauntered along feasting his eyes on all he saw, in no hurry to reach the boat and quite unconscious of the distress his absence was causing. He was walking leis- urely, taking in the sights, when discovered by his father, who had abandoned all hope of ever seeing his son again. The boat had started when the father caught Arthur in his arms, ran on a boat near and called to the captain, who swung his boat around so they were able to climb upon the rear end.
Arthur A. Curme was early trained to habits of industry, working dur- ing the summer and autumn, and attending school in winter, thus obtaining his education. As he was studious, as well as observant, he acquired a fund of information that was the foundation of a broader education, which has been secured through reading and contact with the world. At the age of sixteen he was apprenticed to learn the trade of tanner and currier in Cincin- nati, Ohio, remaining there four years and a half and becoming thoroughly conversant with all the details of the trade. He then became a salesman in a wholesale leather, saddlery, hardware and carriage-trimming establishment. In 1857 he moved to Richmond, where he began business in a small way by opening a leather store on Pearl street, in partnership with his father, under the firm name of Curme & Son. His only capital at this time was two hun- dred dollars in money and a reputation for honesty and Christian character which enabled him to obtain credit readily for such goods as he needed in starting him in business. He prospered to such an extent in this store that he soon purchased a lot on the east bank of the Whitewater river and resumed his trade of tanning, beginning with one vat and increasing the number one at a time as he saw it was needed by his steadily increasing business, until it resulted in the large incorporated tannery of Curme, Dunn & Company, with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars.
This large plant, of which he was president, gave employment to fifty
378
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
hands; and they added a factory for the manufacture of horse collars, in which forty hands were employed. They found a ready market for their goods all over the United States. In 1885 he went to Pittsburg to accept a position in the employ of J. C. Lapp & Son, large harness-leather tanners of that city, with whom he remained two and a half years as traveling sales- man. He resigned there and went to Cincinnati to take the management of the tannery of W. C. Kennett, and this he successfully conducted for ten years, when he once more came to Richmond, and, having tired of the tan- ning business, became connected with the firm of Curme & Company in the drug store, as the head of the firm. Their store is in a commodious, pleasant location on North Eighth street, and the drugs, etc., carried by them are first-class in every respect and merit the large patronage they enjoy.
Arthur A. Curme, as has been previously stated, was of a deeply religious nature, and his youthful mind was much given to dwelling on serious thoughts, and he was a careful Bible student. At the age of fifteen he became a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, the Salem church, now the Raper chapel, situated on the corner of Elm and Findlay streets in Cincinnati, Ohio, and he was closely identified with the history of these organizations until he moved to Richmond, in 1857, and joined the Pearl Street Methodist church, of Richmond, where he served the Sunday-school first as librarian and later as teacher. He was one of the founders of the Union chapel on Main street and class-leader in the same for a period of five years. Later he was class-leader and superintendent of the Sunday-school at Central church as long as that organization was in existence. After it was discontinued he united with Grace church, corner of Tenth and North A streets. He has also been actively engaged in organizing new societies throughout the surrounding country, and his efforts have been blessed with a religious awakening that must have been highly gratifying. He was connected with Finley chapel, on Clinton street, and when scarcely seventeen was appointed a teacher in the Sunday-school. He had become a speaker of pleasing address, and his remarks met with such favor that the Christian entertainment or picnic was considered incomplete without his name on the program for a speech. This public speaking was an invaluable aid to him in later years, and was the stepping-stone which led to his being licensed to exhort when but eighteen years old. This license was granted by the Rev. Moses Smith and the board of Finley chapel; and about the same time he was made leader of the young men's prayer-meeting. He frequently assisted the ministers in conducting religious services in different parts of the city and acquired a fluency and smoothness of delivery that would have insured his success had he determined upon this as his life's work.
379.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
In 1863 he went to the village of Chester, near Richmond, and organ- ized a Sabbath-school, which soon led to the formation of a church, and in one year a small but neat frame church edifice was erected, which still exists. The village of Dover, in the same county (Wayne), can tell of similar minis- trations by him; and he has also labored at Beech Grove, Middleboro and Sevastopol, now in the seventh ward of Richmond, sowing seed which has. multiplied a thousand-fold. The last mentioned is now called the Third. church of Richmond, one of the flourishing churches of the city.
After this he transferred his labors to New Madison, Darke county, Ohio, near Richmond, Indiana. Here he found the Methodist Episcopal church building abandoned and advertised for sale, on account of the heavy debt, being at this time in the hands of the sheriff. At once he reorganized the church and Sunday-school and placed them on a working basis. He can- vassed among the citizens of New Madison for means to liquidate the debt; but the greater part of the citizens failed to contribute, owing to former mis- managements. He then considered the novel plan of holding a camp-meet- ing, which he conducted for several days in the week and on Sunday, charg- ing an admission fee, from which he realized more than enough to pay the entire debt. The church was re-dedicated and the society still remains in a flourishing condition.
Rev. Arthur A. Curme has led a life of great activity in the social realm, as in business and religion. It seems well nigh impossible for one person to. achieve so much. In Woodward Lodge, No. 212, I. O. O. F., where he ranks as past grand, he has been one of the most energetic members, being one of the founders of that body and representing it at the grand lodge of Indiana for several years. He was a member of the building committee during the erection of the fine Odd Fellows temple, at the corner of Main and Eighth streets, dedicated to the use of that order, in Richmond. He is. a member of the board of control of the lodge, and since its organization, thirty-seven years ago, has held the office either of secretary or president. He was made a member of the Knights of Pythias order on the evening of August 26, 1870, at a special meeting called for that purpose by Coeur de Lion Lodge, No. 8, of Richmond. At that meeting seven members were present where now the membership numbers two hundred. From July 1, 1872, to December, 1882, he served as trustee, and was elected as trustee, and was elected chancellor commander in December, 1870. He entered the grand lodge in 1874 and at once took a prominent part in the proceedings of that august assemblage, attending every session since that time. At the first session he was appointed grand inner guard, and elected to the office of grand prelate, the first man to receive that office, and he held it two terms. At the semi-annual session in 1875 Mr. Curme made a motion to hold the next regu-
380
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
lar session of the grand lodge in Richmond, and after a warm opposition his motion was carried, by a small majority, much to the pleasure of the home lodge. This was the only time a session of this grand body was ever held outside of Indianapolis. The delegates were entertained in a royal manner and received a lasting impression of the hospitality of their hosts at Rich- mond. They elected Mr. Curme grand master of the exchequer, and the fol- lowing year he was re-elected, while a year later he became grand vice chancellor. At the annual session held in 1879 he became the executive head of the order in Indiana, and his administration was attended with awak- ened interest among the lodges, many new members being added and new lodges organized. In 1883 he was still further honored by being elected supreme representative to the supreme lodge of the world, Knights of Pythias, for four years, an office he filled with credit to himself and the entire satisfac- tion of the grand lodge of Indiana. His success has been almost phenomenal, and is due to his habits of application and perseverance which have character- ized all his operations in life. He still takes an active interest in all the workings of the lodge and finds many ways to advance its interests.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.